Hi guys
Looking for a bit of advice and info from anybody with similar problem/experience.So the car is a 03 sti type UK running 330 bhp (de-cat, uprated panel, walboro fuel pump and remap) 78000 miles daily driver. Last week when arriving homenoticed some steam coming from engine bay turned out to be small leak from bottom rad hose. So replaced both rad hoses, re filled coolant system and followed suggested "burping" procedure. Car was fine for a few dayswith short journeys then noticed water temp starting to rise. did some researchand came across head gasket problem so took car into local garage for sniffer test turned out positive (hydrocarbons in coolant) they said they can fix itand gave a ball park figure of £800ish dependant on what needs doing, head skimmed timing belt etc. Was just wondering if anyone had a similar problem and what route they went down? Would rather do it right first time. Am based on the isle of wight so no scooby specialists around here

 

If you want to do it right first time, that quote seems reasonable.
It's the sort of job that you can do yourself if you're a competent mechanic, the principles are broadly the same as a failed headgasket on any type of engine. It's obviously an engine out job, remove ancillaries, remove heads and inspect the damage. Only then do you know for sure what needs to be done. It's stupid to save on costs by leaving the old belt on, it's not the sort of job that you want to cut corners on and tbh I checked all sorts of stuff while my motor was out... A lot of the cost of the quote is going to be labour for simply getting the motor out and back in, you don't want to be doing that more than once.

 

I always want to know why the head gasket has gone in the first place. May be more sinister reasons. If the engines coming out anyway, check the bottom end or you may be doing it again in a few months. But i know nothing

 

thanks guys, yeah i read that bottom can fail after HG issues. Would a local garage know what they are looking for/at or is it a job for scooby specialist? Also anyone had their HG done recently and can list what was done, parts rough prices etc. If its not much more may used up rated parts as theres a possibilty i may want more power in the future.

 

I would use a specialist. Get it over to the main land

 

which are the recommended specialists then? also anyone know rough prices they would charge?

 

I don't really know down south to be honest. Maybe Enginetuner unless anyone else knows

I'm in the Midlands so It's always Scoobyclinic for me

 

Hi Will Sti

If engine is original you have a semi closed deck block which is a good block, seeing as you are doing the heads you could take the opportunity to rebuild the engine & be able to play in the future as you stated. Doing it that way you are covering all the bases & will not suffer any further issues.

I am a subaru specialist and there are plenty of reputable others so you have many options.

Do your summs & see what you can afford and go from there.

All the best with it.

 

For head gaskets & bottom end strip & new shells you'll be looking at about £1500. However it could be more if any other parts are found to be worn. Use a specialist & consider a forged build now if you ever plan on big BHP.

 

What he said.

 

yup +1 if water has got into the oil this washes out the bottom end bearings and this is why they fail soon after a lot of the time.

hg,new bottom end bearings etc and forged pistons to future proof it

 

Thanking everyone for your advice. any one know any specialists (or the specialists themselves) that could point me in direction of quotes for HG and bottom end rebuild with and without forged pistions. Closer to south coast the better is gunna be quite expensive having to flat bed it

 

Where are you located?

I would suggest Neil@Slowboy racing,he is located near Brands Hatch

http://www.slowboy-racing.co.uk/

http://www.slowboy-racing.co.uk/inde...d=2&Itemid=120


Jura

 

Hey Jura, located on the Isle of Wight so going to add a few £££ getting thecar to garage so closer would be preferable. Any one have any suggestions/recomendations?

 

Had same on mine, took the opportunity to go forged. Dan at Surrey Subaru Specialists built the engine for me, although I took it out and refitted to save some labour, might be possible to either remove it yourself or get local garage to, then pallet and send to get rebuilt etc. Costs more now, but with 78k on the clock, a proper check and rebuild if required would be sensible. Definitely get it to a decent specialist.

 

cheers Andy, how much did you pay and what did you have done if you done mind me asking (pm if you prefer) Anyone know how much roughly to send a engine on a pallet?

 

About £2300 from memory on a 2.5 STI and that was complete rebuild, all gaskets, forged pistons, race bearings, uprated head gaskets, ARP head studs, etc etc. Also found the rear bores were scored so was a good opportunity to make sure everything was perfect.

I'm sure one of the Scooby places was doing a deal on forged 2.0 engines, but tried googling and couldn't find it, I'm sure a few of the specialists will be able to provide a quote.

Other option is a second hand engine, then sell yours as requiring head gasket to recoup some of the cost, but always unsure of 2nd hand engines and when it comes to selling the car it might put some buyers off.

Lots of company can quote for pallet delivery (google), palletline I think I've used before and from memory you can get a fair bit of weight carried for around £50 ish.

Best of luck with it, whichever direction you decide to go.

 

It was Enginetuner doing the deal a while ago. Call them for a price, many people rate them as one of the best.