Hello people.
I have a classic WRX JDM 94 Wagon. I've got a problem that started with a shorted out lambda sensor I think. The check engine light came on and the car started running really rough, turning over a lot before starting and juddering when it was running. Ive since cutout the burnt wiring and replace the lambda sensor.

Symptoms:

-Fans running from cold. NOT LATELY
-Whining from the driverside when driving? SOMETIMES
-Revving at 1400 rpm. ALL THE TIME
-Header tank is leaking at the seams especially when boosting and running all over the manifold. (STEAMING)!!!
-Using more fuel


I've had NO problems with this car in the 3 years I've had it untill now. Started first time everytime untill this

 

Pressure and overflow of header tank on boost is a sign of HG failure I'm afraid as is rough running on idle

 

Shouldnt I have evidence of mixing oil and water coming from somewhere though? thanks for the reply

 

No if you have a HG gone from combustion chamber to water gallery which it would appear you have then no oil/water mix mate

 

if the header tank is spewing at the seams it just needs replacing! common.
head gasket would be if the water was spewing out of the over flow by the battery on boost.

 

whining from the drivers side is most prob power steering pump. just brim it with fluid and it will shut up. worked with mine and has been fine for years.
over revving and fans could be anything. did you use a genuine lambda?
have you checked for fault codes?

 

if fans coming on from cold maybe faulty coolent temp sensor and make sure you bleed the system fully

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

Take it to a specialist to be checked out otherwise you will get confused by all the possible faults given on here

 

What L.J.F says ... get it to someone who knows what theyre looking for or all the conflicting advice on here from people with half the story will inevitably mean you take steps backwards!

But coolant being pushed out on boost usually means HG failure, and as said before, doesnt mean youll find water in the oil (or visa versa) as the gallery could have just popped between cylinder and water gallery.

 

go and get it sniff tested you can be 100% then !
after a run are the water hoses rock hard ?

 

why is everyone saying hg! his header tank is leaking at the seams thats all. very common on the calssics. just repalce it and go from there!

 

Thanks for the replys guys. I will check the error codes in a bit and post them on here.
Where in Essex can I take my Scooby? The nearer to Colchester the better? The header tank pumps coolant out of itself after the turbo has been running, if I drive it slowly its not a problem but boot it a bit and the coolant comes out pretty fast and the steam cloud is embarassing not to mention heart breaking to think my little beauty is in pain and so is my pocket Right im going to check the error codes and ill be back.

 

Because its forcing coolant out under boost, common hg failure symptoms

 

Ok the error codes are as follows

4 long and 5 short
2 long and 4 short
4 long and 4 short
2 long and 1 short

I think that means 45 - 24 - 44 - 21?

Any ideas? I know these cars can be expensive and dont want to just go and buy replacement parts without any idea why I'm doing it.

 

Ive found this

21 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor

24 Idle Control System Malfunction

44 Turbocharging Pressure Control Signal

45 Pressure Sensor

Could they ALL go at once?

Thanks again people. I really dont want to walk into a garage and have my pants pulled down over the price, I also want a bit of knowledge so the dont tell me that my finobling pin is broken and thats gonna cost me £4000 lol.

 

It will do its a pressurised system. 0.8 or 1.1 bar in fact depending on the cap fitted. The key is where and he said from the seams on the header tank not the overflow. The plastic header tanks fail over time and need replacing because they leak.

Outlaw, where is it leaking? Is it from the overflow by the battery or on the left from the header tank. Please confirm.
From the left could just be a leak. From the overflow by the battery would indicate gaskets.
If its leaking from the header fix that first before you spend money fixing the other faults, becuase if it is headgaskets you may decide not to bother repairs and they can be labour intensive and expensive to fix.

 

It is 100% coming from the header tank seams. Not near the battery. Its actually coming out of the seams of the header tank, if you squeeze the top rad pipe you can see exactly where it is coming from. But under boost it pumps it out

 

so you need to change the tank then. doesnt sound like gaskets to me yet. it will leak more if you drive it on boost as the heat builds and the pump works harder.
if you keep driving it with low coolant then you risk doing more damage. when was the coolant last changed?

 

I've got a metal header tank from a 98 you can have for postage if you want? That's if it'll fit, I assume it will? Anybody know?

 

Deal!
Where do I sign? lol.

Does anyone know if it WILL fit?

Failing that do you have a pic Ianbott?

 

you need to make sure when you fit new header tank you bleed system out properly or you will end up with air locks.ive replaced rad on mine and header tank aswell.

 

I'll get a pic tomorrow for you.

 

It does not fit.
You have to make some kind of bracket for it.

 

I made a bracket of a polycarbonate chopping board from IKEA, a saw and a drill