EJ257 STI Engine Failure
 

Food for thought!

Impreza STI hatchback on 70k miles, with full Subaru dealership history goes in for a routine engine oil and oil filter change. Before hand the car had been running perfectly as it should; within 10 miles of driving after picking the car up a knocking sound develops in the engine which has now been revealed as cylinder 3 big end bearing failure!

In everyone's own opinion; where does the blame lie? Is somebody at fault for this?

Cheers!

I don't think you 'blame' anyone for a bearing going. So long as the correct oil is in it I don't see how a routine oil change would have an impact on the bearings. There's a lot of information on this forum about engine failures, especially the 2.5.
Perhaps an expert such as @MOTORS S GT could provide a more insightful answer though.

It's possible that due to a mistake the car was started without oil in it, but very unlikely and proving it would be hard unless cctv or dash cam was running.

I’d be very pi55ed off but that’s just the paranoia in me when it comes to owning these types of cars

edit: if I ever took my car to a random Subaru specialist I’d be staying with the car and watching it like a hawk. I’ve heard tonnes of stories were garages take peoples fast car for a drive when the owner isn’t there 🪓🪓

Sounds like seller need something was up, as seems fishy failing after 10 miles after buying the car. Was there enough oil in? Did you check before buying?

My mate went to look at a Bugeye and there was no oil on the stick. Took it for a spin and engine stank.

Think guy was car dragging on the side.

Don't think he bought it just took it in for a service.

Its not uncommon for this type of failure to occur shortly after a oil & filter change, if the engine had a worn bearing or bearings anyway, but with no noise before the oil change, it is enough oil pressure loss starting the car after the oil change, especially if the filter was not pre filled, to tip the worn bearing over & cause issues.
I presume it has the correct oil for the engine installed, & filter.

Would you recommend a new build motor from you have a primed filter Paul?

I don't recommend a primed oil filter on a fresh build, it gets oil pressure up quicker with a un filled filter as all the air has got to get out of the galleries etc through the filter, if you fill it with oil it hampers that operation, on a fresh build when pre filled it sometimes will not have the enough speed on the starter motor to get oil pressure.

I always recommend pre filling on an oil change service,& getting oil pressure up before firing up the engine.

it's going to be difficult to prove anything without a forensic strip down and inspection by a independent third party. But I suspect the engine had a ongoing issue. Probably detonation/lean on no.3 which has worn that particular big end, then the oil change finished it off. Engines failing after oil changes is more common than you'd think but usually there is some other underlying problem.

There was a service bulletin on some model years regarding fueling/det issues. There is also a issue with oil pickup pipes fracturing causing oil priming issues. See the 2.5 failures sticky thread in general.

But with FSSH and totally unmodified I'd be expecting goodwill on parts at the very least (likely long or short engine). But you're probably only to get any leeway if you purchased the car from Subaru.

thats a warning sign if you ever needed one.

ive heard alot about the cooling mod for cyclinder 4. are they worth getting in your opinion /. ive looked at the idea for sure!

i bought an upgraded oil pick up pipe for tht reason, when i had my engine built.

Wouldn't necessarily cause damage tho, residue oil would save it if it was just a quick turnover and off

If you need an EJ257 block, the one from my wifes Hawk is still at the garage. Was going to forge it but we found a lump that was already assembled so the old engine is still on the engine stand. Drop me a pm if you want more info.