gra2730

iTrader: (1)

Hello All.

Just replace my classic which I had to replace an engine in cost lots of £££.

What problems should I be looking out for, 2001 wrx, completely standard with fsh, I bought a standard example to try to minimise the abuse it has had, its done 104k.

All advise appreciated & thanks in advance

d4vidh

Service history and rust I reckon

Rez

iTrader: (2)

Future problems that may cost you money you say??

More power

New turbo, injectors, fuel pump, solinoid, filter, de-cat, back box, re-map... then wheels, suspension, brakes, STI bits, new interior etc etc lol

I can only say this as I'm having same "problem" with mine

Steve001

iTrader: (7)

the wrx is fairly bullet proof, my daughter has my old 02 bug and it has 135K on the clock and still drives really well unlike my 06 sti that has symtoms of a SECOND head gasket failure

enjoy and dont worry so much, ANY car can have future problems

Matt2732

iTrader: (1)

Has it had its second cambelt change? Did mine just before 100k and did the belt, all the pulleys and tensioner and the oil pump. After 10 years and 100k I'd want to make sure this area is up to scratch!

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

I asked my local dealership re the oil pump when I had my cambelt done last March, and their senior mechanic who's been there years said he's hardly ever seen them go.

Pulleys and tensioners defo should be done though.

In 7 years of owning my 01 bug WRX I've had to replace the following through wear and tear, and outside standard servicing items (like brakes, oil, etc) (but then she's done 90,000 miles!)
- Shocks (to coilovers - were very hard and a little worn out - rears can knock on newage but I never experienced this)
- Front droplinks (really improved the handling - felt a lot tighter)
- Both front wheel bearings
- Fuel rails (IIRC) leaked in cold weather - this was a known problem and the rails were replaced by the dealer free of charge even though the car's light years out of warranty!
- Split CV rubber boot
- Radiator

TBH if you look after them and service them properly they're bloody brilliant cars when you consider how highly stressed they must be in comparison to your average Astra!

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

The Bug WRX came out of the factory seriously de-tuned so as not to step on the toes of the STi version so nothing is likely to break because it is over-stressed LOL

I've had mine since new and apart from swapping things that I wanted to, everything else has been wear and tear / service items.....

Shaun

lee67

rear shocks will be first thing to fail more than likely

gra2730

iTrader: (1)

Wow loads of feedback there, appreciate it!!! It's getting it's cambelt done because its due, sounds like they are a good car and better than a classic, it's been serviced by Subaru so hoping its been looked after, as for more power just need to persuade the mrs...

Matt2732

iTrader: (1)

oil pump may not go altogether but plenty of folk have had the pressure relief stick and loose pressure. As an API pump is less than £100 exchange and i was going for a fair bit more power seemed silly not too! After spending 40mins in the dealers trying too get a downpipe gasket and studs/bolts (they dont list them apparently!) i tend not too listen too the stealers, surely worth doing while your doing the belt?

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Interesting - never heard of that on a newage. Did David @ API advise you to do this?

Incidentally, I DO listen to my dealer - they're not all rip off merchants, and the lead mechanic is an enthusiast, building a 2.2 block for his STI in his spare time AA well as also running a classic wagon.

As far as I know he's been there over 10 years, and the advice I get from him and his team is always sensible, and I trust it more than that offered by certain self-proclaimed 'specialists' (although note that I'm not lumping API in with them! They have a well deserves reputation!)

Let's just say I've learned some valuable lessons in where to take mine during 7 years of ownership

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Yeah I know what you're saying Shaun, I was more trying to intimate that considering they're performance cars they're surprisingly reliable

Matt2732

iTrader: (1)

Not per say I got the pump from there as it was good value, decided to change it after reading threads like this https://www.scoobynet.com/general-te...-oil-pump.html

At the end of the day was easy enough to do and not over expensive, I didn't think it was worth taking a chance where oil pressure if concerned, maybe we will have to agree to disagree as I dont want to turn this chaps thread into oil pump ping pong

Nice that the dealer you use if so good maybe there is hope after all! After the 45min debacle trying to get a downpipe gasket and some nuts/studs and bolts I gave up. I would rather go somewhere where they know what I need in my case a specialist. However, as you rightly point out there are plenty of rubbish so called specialists out there. Up to each owner to take their car where they feel comfortable.

Finally I forgot to mention I had to fit a new sump as the original was corroded fairly badly!

gra2730

iTrader: (1)

Well got my first problems, uppipe is blowing so that needs doing, big £££ for that job, brakes have a lot of travel as well so that needs looking at. The joys of Subaru ownership!!! Brakes I knew of anyway but the uppipe I could definately do without!!!

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Depends where you're based mate.
Harvey Smith does fixed up pipe fitting for £75 - and he's THE man in that dept.

DonNedly

iTrader: (10)

It shouldn't be big £££ to change the uppipe mate. Its a job you could do yourself with relative ease. You'll want to decat it anyway so just buy a second hand uppipe from a classic for about a tenner and whack it in there. Thats what i'm doing at the moment.

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

For a matter of interest,what did you pay for it chap ?

gra2730

iTrader: (1)

I am in based in Somerset so quite far from Harvey I think? I am a complete spanner with spanners so getting it sorted along with cambelt, didn't know a classic fitted though, I wanted a standard example so paid probably a bit over the odds at £2750. Labour On the uppipe is the biggest expense, read a write up yesterday and it was intercooler off and jacking the engine up, way out of my league.

gra2730

iTrader: (1)

Well looking at yours I am now thinking I paid way over, nice wrx you have there.