EJ257 Need help with cam bearing "damage?" lots of pics.
 

Hi all,

Car: 06 STi. EJ257.

I hope someone can shed some light on what seems to be scoring on the cam bearings. I've just recently started looking at the heads after i pulled the engine 2 or more years ago fearing blown ringlands (long story will be posted in this thread for those who like to read). If an engine builder or someone else who's seen alot of these engines provide some insight that would be wonderfull.

A few details for some quick info instead of a wall of text.

-Engine was torn down after i encountered a light rattle when pulling away (inaudible after 3-4k rpm) other people didn't really hear it. 44K miles on engine, babied all it's life.
-Compression was good across the board. Leakdown was 20-30% on cyl 4. All others where ok.
-No flakes in oil. Meticulous fluid changes done. Upon teardown noticed above usual oil in intake/turbo but engine oil level was still near max.
-Car was tuned by Paul blamire and ran 360hp/500Nm. Stock everything apart from exhaust (tune was great to say the least.)
-Car pushed/boiled coolant on last (spirited) drive for the first time ever... i was baffled. (this was after comp/leakdown test)

-Whole album (pic heavy)
https://imgur.com/a/4lgsLxP

Attachment 73324

Attachment 73325

Attachment 73326

This one looks ok that's why i started worrying about the rest.
Attachment 73327

Camshaft
Attachment 73328

Are the heads toast? :/

Nothing wrong with those cam bearing housings, in fact they are quite good, just check the clearances with plastigauge.

Are you using Millers oil in that engine ?

pix look pretty reasonable and certainly not 'scrap'................

Very glad to hear this. The engine had Fuchs Titan race pro-S 5w40 in it last 2 changes. Before that Castrol Edge and once or twice a local brand (denicol) that had very good reviews in the local subaru club.

I'll check the clearances and see if i can find the specs in the workshop manual. Thank you very much for your input. Now i just have to get my **** together and start with pulling the shortblock apart after 2 years.
(piston from cylinder with the bad leakdown that i suspected had cracked ringlands turned out to look absolutely fine that's where i gave up and life kind went downhill and things just all went to **** but i held on to the car because i just couldn't let it go)