Big end trouble info needed
 

Hi people im new to this forum, i thought i would join to find out about the big end trouble and other common faults that the impreza turbos/wrx's can suffer from.

how likely is it for big ends to go if the car is serviced regularly and not redlined etc before changing up, is it totally unpredictable problem or is it aerodynamic problem like air starvation to scoop/vents etc to engine/cooler at certain speeds like i have been hearing people speak of.

im tempted to go for an impreza 2000 turbo in origianal condition late model i.e 1999 or 2000 year. are they as likely to suffer the trouble as any of the other models?

i have always been into opel mantas and recently had bmw's and im tempted to go back into the rally image sort of car, like the manta always fealt a bit like a rally car where as the bmw was more luxury and heavy.

is it realllly common issue or is it more abuse related? cheers 4 any answers in advance:wonder: :thumb:

well i know that it can be chance, things like piston slap, big end failure can occur anytime, ppl who nurse the cars have had probs, where ppl who track day have no worries. can be due to detonation probs and piston 3 staving of fuel due to series setup.

far as i kno turbo 2000 uk spec would be a better choice as its maps are designed to run on uk fuel also. where as jap import over certain age need 100ron fuel.

this adv is not set instone tho, just what iv read and experienced.

my big end went the day before new years. I've alway let it warm up, cool down, has recently been serviced a couple months ago, run on 99optimax, i was doing a speed run ...obviously wish i hadnt now. gutted!

I have a 99 uk turbo, let it warm up, cool down etc and i too serviced my car not that long before it went pop. Big end went and it cost me a grand to get fixed. still runnin it in but all seems good for now:thumb:

I've had an import RS twin turbo Legacy and an import Evo6. Big ends went on both.

I've had a 320bhp UK classic and now have a 51 plate WRX which is being mapped this month and I'm confident it'll be ok. I've seen a lot of the imported STi's have had big end failures, saying that, I'd have no quibbles going for an STi thats had an engine rebuild because of that reason and then been mapped for UK fuel.

youve broken the unwritten rule of the scooby there. they hate top speed runs for extended periods. the intercooler becomes ineffective, intake temps get too hot and det kills the engine.

thanks for being honest guys, is that a genuine reason why the big ends fail then? the intercooler being starved of air? its what i have read in most place but wasnt sure. i jus love the look of these cars and adore and car with rally heretige, i normally drive around a constant 70 80 average in the mornings, would these be of any trouble to them? obviously i do go above this but only when safe to do so, i hear at about 110mph they intercooler really starves from cooling and the air causes det?!

what about models like the 2005 2006 where the scoop it even higher and with a bigger intake? same problem?

i had the same problem late december last year just before christmas wen i was just running normally around 40kmh when suddenly a small clunking sounds suddenly became rattling sound. no check engine or anything. when i open up the motor piston/rods/bore were all fine except the one of the main bearing on the crankshaft came loose. mine is a version 3 type r. what is the cause of these failing?

causes of big end failure IMO

- oil pump failure
- det due to wrong fuel or top speed run
- abuse, e.g overdoing it can raise oil temp to high
- fitting a bleed valve and setting it too high
- poor maintainance, e.g low oil level etc

So theres a variety really, hence why they are so common

If you are worried about big end failure then id definaly go for a UK car with FULL history and if its modded check to see WHO did the mods and if they are safe. Then youve reduced your chances of big end failure. Too many imports around now with little history and that are running on wrong fuel and poor modifications.

hi mate my bottomend went christmas day, although i have £23395 in reciept spent on the engine and maintaince? so its been looked after? also i always set the warm up mode on the turbo timer for 10 mins before i even move it! then i dont take it over 3k rpm till my oil temp gauge says over 65 degrees!
i guess its just 1 of them things really? although i think the cause was the oil pump failed, i would say thats the main cause of the big end knock?

mine is also well maintain but i think the problem is old age and metal fatigue could be the cause of these big end failure. my big end failure came even when i wasnt boosting the car and just doing leisure drive

by the way the engine was brought in from japan in year 2000 with 38tkm only now i am on 80tkm before big end went :( vehicle was fully maintain and was not really boosted that with only 1 bar max

apparanty its very common for the oil pump backing plate to come loose and this causes it to stop working. i had my cambelt changed last week and i asked them to remove and inspect the oil pump...one of the backing plate screws was half way out!

locktite "out"

What do you mean?