timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

Hi All

driving to work yesterday heard the odd strange noise (had music on) an as i pulled up in the car park i heard a 'wood pecker' speed tapping noise which i found started at about 2k revs.

no lights on dash etc & tick over is spot on.

Let it rest & then checked the oil a few hours later & it was not even reading on the dip stick but previously not noticed any oil leaking - but also it is new oil & is clean so might of missed it. Any how oil leak can be sorted.

I am more worried about the tapping noise that comes an goes in the engine. Its just the same noise as when no oil in, but obviously now oil is in it is a lot lot quieter & unless you listened for it, you would not know its there. It also comes an goes.

Car still drives & pulls well (not thrashed it btw, just checked the turbo is still pulling!) but this noise comes an goes, & it is definately there & wasn't before!

Have i got some damaged bearings or tappets or something? I'm guessing the worst & the lack of oil has damaged some bearings

Any one any ideas, thanks.

its a version 2 wrx

alphaj12

Have you changed your plugs recently, I notice you said you had fresh oil in?

I had this, took it in to be told need a top end rebuild, turned out to be a loose spark plug, gave the guy 30 quid for his time....result

May not apply but thought it worth a mention

bigsinky

These old engines should have oil and water checked on a regular basis. I used to check my my95 once a week when I started mod ding my car. These engines will use oil. When was the last time you checked. They are not fill and forget cars. Unless it Wuas a major oil leak (then the underside if the engine and sump should be plastered with oil) it should have never run out of oil.
Worse case scenario you have run a bearing and you will need a rebuild but you might be really lucky and have got away with it.

Regular checks in the future should ensure the engine doesn't run out of oil.

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

cheers for the reply alpha, but the plugs are sound. Had the engine out in Jan & had alot of work done like cambelt & clutch, flywheel, gaskets etc. So i know the leak is a gasket probably the passenger side cam cover. so i can sort that in a couple of hours at the weekend.
The issue is the noise was never there untill i had found no oil in yesterday, filled the oil back up, the noise is now very light & comes & goes depending on the rev level.

so guessing i have damaged some bearings, or the oil pump is knackered & not flowing as well due to the oil starvation & caused it some damage?

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

normally do check it every week, but been busy working 7 day weeks & not looked for 2 - 3 weeks, so its not like i have done it deliberatley & where i live is on a slope so can only check at my parents or work. & when you work loads, when you finish, checking the oil is not on top of my to do list, just want to get home.

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

You are describing a big end failure. Turn it off and don't use it, just in case you are lucky and can save the crank. Take it to bits and hope.

David APi

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

ok cheers David, appreciate your comment.
looks like i will get a replacement bottom end as my current, now damaged bottom end has 142000 on the speedo which is a mix of kms & miles, so probably best to get a v3/4 bottom end which has the better pistons i reckon as the i am not holding out for the crank to be ok if the bearings have gone/going!

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

just to check - deffo bottom end issue - nothing on the top end i.e cams/tappets/valves? that can be causing the noise?

stef_2010

iTrader: (3)

Only way to tell is to listen where about the noise is coming from surely ?

People can guess all day but your the only one with the car

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

From your description it is bottom end failure. Diagnosis by email is an in-exact science, but I am pretty good at it.

Sorry mate. David

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Will using a stethoscope pinpoint the area - i.e. bottom end or heads - just to confirm for sure for the OP?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Trust me Joz

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Oh I do.

And I totally agree with you based on the OP's 'prognosis' -- god knows I've had at least 4 separate big end failures amongst my various previous cars!

Just thinking of the OP's own 'peace of mind', that's all.

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

thanks guys for the responses.
going to get a version 3/4 bottom end on saturday. so i will then just need a set of head gaskets - which ones do i buy? or are they the same for eraly classics?

Just wanted to check as if i get the bottom end, have it all swapped over & then i still have the tapping noise!

will get my mechanic to get his laughing aside & get his stethascope things on & have a listen!

Had a listen before & its ok until 2K revs then starts knocking.... so i am pretty sure its a/some bearings have worn.

thanks again

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Not sure if the STi 3/4 piston crowns (assuming it'll come complete with assembled STi 3/4 rods/pistons too?!) will alter the C.R., compared to the existing MY93-96 WRX pistons?

If the C.R. happens to be the same, then you can quite happily upgrade to STI 3/4 metal 1.6mm (same thickness as MY93-96) HGs too.


You need to wait for Mick (merlin24) to post his wealth of knowledge .........

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

It'll fit fine no need to worry.

BUT do not even dream about fitting it without splitting the crank case and checking the big end bearings OR you will be doing it all over again in a few weeks time.

Vers 3 / 4 are notorious [ at current age/mileage ] for having the bearings worn through to the copper.........

Are you listening ???

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

cheers david - daft question but what do i look /check for? how will i know if they are worn? & which head gasket set do you recomend for a a straight forward replacement fit? only need the head gaskets as all the other gaskets like rockers/coil packs have been replaced when engine came out in jan but will still get a rear crank seal....

so it is also probably worth getting a set of acl bearings thrown in? I have been told by the breaker who is on here & is used alot that the bottom end was perfectly ok when removed, no noises & the oil was clean when emptied. Am i right in saying that the pistons are better & that if i do get the acl bearings (if the crank is good) i will have a standard safe/good running bottom end?!?

anything else i need? i have three bond at the ready

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Strip the block into 2 halves and replace the big end shells anyway. They are not expensive from API:- the nations favourite tuner and advice centre..............

STi head gaskets AA463 type - around about 50 quid each + VAT Front AND rear crank seal cos they ain't expensive, unless you have to take it all out again to cure a leak cos you were too cheap to change them first time around ....

AND reseal the kidney shaped oil gallery housing inside the clutch housing, as they always leak and can also be cracked - look carefully.

l'll await your call sir...................

timmyajmy93wrx

iTrader: (27)

ha ha! pm already sent before you replied to this!!!! lol!

cheers David

happydude303

iTrader: (1)

oh and make sure you sump, and oil modine is not full of bits of old metal as you dont want none of that in you new bottom end

killerbmotorsport

Good idea to blow out/clean or replace the oil cooler/heater too. They are notorious for trapping debris. If it were me I'd just replace it.

Pag

iTrader: (3)

Sorry to hear about you problem. just had mine full serviced yesterday and then run on the rollers and found when I went to drive home that I had a knocking noise like yours but at higher revs and it also comes and goes.
The engine has only done 39000 miles and is stock.
I like the idea of the loose spark plug and will mention this to the place where I had it serviced as they have got the car still to check.

They did say that if you have big end failure then on starting the engine you would hear the noise straight away but mine don't do that, and when I was driving it I noticed the noise more just as I throttled off.

Hope yours all works out ok........And me lol