a broken 330s
26 July 2016, 02:37 PM
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a broken 330s
Well I've longed to own an STI for years and finally got an 09 plate 330s in Dec 14.
Lovely car, but after 7 months (2.5k miles) it started smoking on startup. Took it in and discovered a cracked ringland. Had the engine rebuilt with forged internals, uprated bearings, head studs, gaskets etc and got going again. A gentle run in 1200 miles and then oil change. 800 miles later - the headgasket went. now, on pulling the studs out, the threads came out of the block with 2 of them.
So it's waiting to be priced up and I'm gutted. Going to have to get rid, as I can't afford this - only question is whether to sell as is or fix and sell - will see what the quotes are.
I wish it could have been a more cheerful first post (almost), after years of looking at them, but
Lovely car, but after 7 months (2.5k miles) it started smoking on startup. Took it in and discovered a cracked ringland. Had the engine rebuilt with forged internals, uprated bearings, head studs, gaskets etc and got going again. A gentle run in 1200 miles and then oil change. 800 miles later - the headgasket went. now, on pulling the studs out, the threads came out of the block with 2 of them.
So it's waiting to be priced up and I'm gutted. Going to have to get rid, as I can't afford this - only question is whether to sell as is or fix and sell - will see what the quotes are.
I wish it could have been a more cheerful first post (almost), after years of looking at them, but
26 July 2016, 05:09 PM
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tell me about it - gutted. yes, the headgaskets were replaced and apparently with uprated ones.
i have to be very careful here, as i don't want to run foul of the libel rules on here.
i took it to a subaru specialist in stockport - recommended by people on PH. the chap (i'll call him pete) has apparently been working on these cars for 20+ yrs. however, it took 9 months to get my car back. excuse and delay after excuse and delay.
unfortunately he sold the business mid way through this rebuild and although i believe he's still working, he's now ignoring communication.
i contacted him when the headgasket went and he said he'd never seen one go after the work i'd had done. he 'suspected' a warped or cracked head. he said he'd personally built up the short engine.
i took it to another place nearer home - also recommended off PH and the word they used to describe his work was 'abysmal'. they have taken pictures as they went along and will be putting things right - i hope. we'll just see how much it's going to cost, but after paying 'Pete' £6k, i really can't afford much more. there may be a small chance to chase him through small claims, if i can get a report from the new garage, but as he's sold the business, i may well be up the creek.
a shame (putting it mildly) - because when it was working, it's one of the best cars and most complete packages i've ever driven. i was looking forward to doing some bits and pieces on it over time - got new discs and brakes that came just as they gasket went etc.
i have to be very careful here, as i don't want to run foul of the libel rules on here.
i took it to a subaru specialist in stockport - recommended by people on PH. the chap (i'll call him pete) has apparently been working on these cars for 20+ yrs. however, it took 9 months to get my car back. excuse and delay after excuse and delay.
unfortunately he sold the business mid way through this rebuild and although i believe he's still working, he's now ignoring communication.
i contacted him when the headgasket went and he said he'd never seen one go after the work i'd had done. he 'suspected' a warped or cracked head. he said he'd personally built up the short engine.
i took it to another place nearer home - also recommended off PH and the word they used to describe his work was 'abysmal'. they have taken pictures as they went along and will be putting things right - i hope. we'll just see how much it's going to cost, but after paying 'Pete' £6k, i really can't afford much more. there may be a small chance to chase him through small claims, if i can get a report from the new garage, but as he's sold the business, i may well be up the creek.
a shame (putting it mildly) - because when it was working, it's one of the best cars and most complete packages i've ever driven. i was looking forward to doing some bits and pieces on it over time - got new discs and brakes that came just as they gasket went etc.
26 July 2016, 05:19 PM
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tell me about it - gutted. yes, the headgaskets were replaced and apparently with uprated ones.
i have to be very careful here, as i don't want to run foul of the libel rules on here.
i took it to a subaru specialist in stockport - recommended by people on PH. the chap (i'll call him pete) has apparently been working on these cars for 20+ yrs. however, it took 9 months to get my car back. excuse and delay after excuse and delay.
unfortunately he sold the business mid way through this rebuild and although i believe he's still working, he's now ignoring communication.
i contacted him when the headgasket went and he said he'd never seen one go after the work i'd had done. he 'suspected' a warped or cracked head. he said he'd personally built up the short engine.
i took it to another place nearer home - also recommended off PH and the word they used to describe his work was 'abysmal'. they have taken pictures as they went along and will be putting things right - i hope. we'll just see how much it's going to cost, but after paying 'Pete' £6k, i really can't afford much more. there may be a small chance to chase him through small claims, if i can get a report from the new garage, but as he's sold the business, i may well be up the creek.
a shame (putting it mildly) - because when it was working, it's one of the best cars and most complete packages i've ever driven. i was looking forward to doing some bits and pieces on it over time - got new discs and brakes that came just as they gasket went etc.
i have to be very careful here, as i don't want to run foul of the libel rules on here.
i took it to a subaru specialist in stockport - recommended by people on PH. the chap (i'll call him pete) has apparently been working on these cars for 20+ yrs. however, it took 9 months to get my car back. excuse and delay after excuse and delay.
unfortunately he sold the business mid way through this rebuild and although i believe he's still working, he's now ignoring communication.
i contacted him when the headgasket went and he said he'd never seen one go after the work i'd had done. he 'suspected' a warped or cracked head. he said he'd personally built up the short engine.
i took it to another place nearer home - also recommended off PH and the word they used to describe his work was 'abysmal'. they have taken pictures as they went along and will be putting things right - i hope. we'll just see how much it's going to cost, but after paying 'Pete' £6k, i really can't afford much more. there may be a small chance to chase him through small claims, if i can get a report from the new garage, but as he's sold the business, i may well be up the creek.
a shame (putting it mildly) - because when it was working, it's one of the best cars and most complete packages i've ever driven. i was looking forward to doing some bits and pieces on it over time - got new discs and brakes that came just as they gasket went etc.
Last edited by dskmanch; 26 July 2016 at 05:20 PM.
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26 July 2016, 05:24 PM
#8
That's terrible. Sorry to hear about your problems.
If you get it done right it can be done for £3.5k all in by a reputable builder like Paul Finch. Engine Tuner build great engines too but they will want £5k done. Some builders like Richard @ FB Tuning even refuse to rebuild the 2.5 engine as it is prone to failure and don't want it failing again with their name against it, which I can totally understand.
Have a look for Paul Finch and WMS Racing, they will do a great job on the 2.5 engine time and time again for a sensible price.
If it's done right it will be a car worth keeping. Decent forged hatches are going for anywhere from £13k - £16 recently depending on mileage, spec etc. If you sell it now it's realistically worth £5k in scrap value to someone.
If you get it done right it can be done for £3.5k all in by a reputable builder like Paul Finch. Engine Tuner build great engines too but they will want £5k done. Some builders like Richard @ FB Tuning even refuse to rebuild the 2.5 engine as it is prone to failure and don't want it failing again with their name against it, which I can totally understand.
Have a look for Paul Finch and WMS Racing, they will do a great job on the 2.5 engine time and time again for a sensible price.
If it's done right it will be a car worth keeping. Decent forged hatches are going for anywhere from £13k - £16 recently depending on mileage, spec etc. If you sell it now it's realistically worth £5k in scrap value to someone.
26 July 2016, 05:25 PM
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my longer posts keep getting zapped - despite trying to be careful
new gaskets were used. took 9 months to get my car back and £6k
the garage that did the rebuild has been sold and the chap, who's apparently worked on these cars 20+ yrs, is now avoiding all communication, although still working in the area i believe.
new garage (also recommended) describes the work as abysmal and thinks the studs must have been cross threaded when put in.
new gaskets were used. took 9 months to get my car back and £6k
the garage that did the rebuild has been sold and the chap, who's apparently worked on these cars 20+ yrs, is now avoiding all communication, although still working in the area i believe.
new garage (also recommended) describes the work as abysmal and thinks the studs must have been cross threaded when put in.
26 July 2016, 05:37 PM
#12
Could easily be that someone overtightened the heads. Would expect both failed h/g and pulled studs if too much torque was used.
If he has been building engines for 20+ years, I doubt it was alloy motors...they need cleanliness, care and a gentle touch.
If he has been building engines for 20+ years, I doubt it was alloy motors...they need cleanliness, care and a gentle touch.
26 July 2016, 09:23 PM
#16
Anyhow, I really hope you get it sorted. As said above, pick a reputable engine builder that comes recommended. Do your research and you should get a good car at the end of it.
Is there any chance of money back from the previous build? As said above, credit card maybe? Builder working for anyone else now?
26 July 2016, 10:25 PM
#20
It sounds like a proper shoddy job you had done.
£6k and 9 months for a rebuild
If the garage has been sold the new owners are still liable for previous work done. A £6k rebuild should last longer than 2k miles, enquire with the small claims court, a £5k claim will only cost £205
or if you want to go for the full £6k it's £455 https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-...ney/court-fees
There's no way I would lie down and take that shafting, pay another £205 and you should get your money back Poor workmanship stripped the threads and caused the new gaskets to fail.
£6k and 9 months for a rebuild
If the garage has been sold the new owners are still liable for previous work done. A £6k rebuild should last longer than 2k miles, enquire with the small claims court, a £5k claim will only cost £205
or if you want to go for the full £6k it's £455 https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-...ney/court-fees There's no way I would lie down and take that shafting, pay another £205 and you should get your money back
Poor workmanship stripped the threads and caused the new gaskets to fail.
27 July 2016, 01:14 AM
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Sorry to hear your bad news. Deffo sue the barstewards!
Ps. If you write a lengthy post and take too long, sometimes the site logs you out and your post doesn't actually get submitted.
Ps. If you write a lengthy post and take too long, sometimes the site logs you out and your post doesn't actually get submitted.
27 July 2016, 09:29 AM
#23
Nothing to do with the length of his posts on this occasion because the posts actually appeared on the thread. If you take too long to post it doesn't enter your post onto the thread, it just times out. On this occasion they were showing up on the thread with no company names, no swear words and nothing wrong at all. In fact, I actually replied to one of them and it disappeared straight after my reply became visible. Is very odd. Don't think the OP did anything wrong at all, maybe just a glitch in the matrix? 
To the OP. I'd be going down the small claims route for this to get your money back. You may need the new builder to do a full strip down listing all the issues and reasons for failure so that you can fully point blame at the last builder. With that in writing I see no reason you shouldn't be able to get some of your money back. The product you were sold was not "fit for purpose".
Good luck!
To the OP. I'd be going down the small claims route for this to get your money back. You may need the new builder to do a full strip down listing all the issues and reasons for failure so that you can fully point blame at the last builder. With that in writing I see no reason you shouldn't be able to get some of your money back. The product you were sold was not "fit for purpose".
Good luck!
22 August 2016, 06:13 PM
#26
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Looking forward to it now it has cost me arm and a leg lol
Will take me forever to run in though as i have only done 2000 mile in it in the 2 years i have had it and i want to put it away for the winter if i can find a decent hide out for it.
Will take me forever to run in though as i have only done 2000 mile in it in the 2 years i have had it and i want to put it away for the winter if i can find a decent hide out for it.
26 August 2016, 01:29 PM
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That's terrible. Sorry to hear about your problems.
If you get it done right it can be done for £3.5k all in by a reputable builder like Paul Finch. Engine Tuner build great engines too but they will want £5k done. Some builders like Richard @ FB Tuning even refuse to rebuild the 2.5 engine as it is prone to failure and don't want it failing again with their name against it, which I can totally understand.
Have a look for Paul Finch and WMS Racing, they will do a great job on the 2.5 engine time and time again for a sensible price.
If it's done right it will be a car worth keeping. Decent forged hatches are going for anywhere from £13k - £16 recently depending on mileage, spec etc. If you sell it now it's realistically worth £5k in scrap value to someone.
If you get it done right it can be done for £3.5k all in by a reputable builder like Paul Finch. Engine Tuner build great engines too but they will want £5k done. Some builders like Richard @ FB Tuning even refuse to rebuild the 2.5 engine as it is prone to failure and don't want it failing again with their name against it, which I can totally understand.
Have a look for Paul Finch and WMS Racing, they will do a great job on the 2.5 engine time and time again for a sensible price.
If it's done right it will be a car worth keeping. Decent forged hatches are going for anywhere from £13k - £16 recently depending on mileage, spec etc. If you sell it now it's realistically worth £5k in scrap value to someone.
26 August 2016, 02:28 PM
#28
For a drive in drive out service with attention to detail provided by ET that's very good indeed. I'd have no issues at all using you for one of my builds, or recommending you.
26 August 2016, 07:04 PM
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My comment was in no way meant negatively to you Alan, I know all too well the fantastic builds and service you provide and peace of mind you give your customers with the quality products & services provided.
For a drive in drive out service with attention to detail provided by ET that's very good indeed. I'd have no issues at all using you for one of my builds, or recommending you.
For a drive in drive out service with attention to detail provided by ET that's very good indeed. I'd have no issues at all using you for one of my builds, or recommending you.
08 September 2016, 01:26 PM
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a quick update and thank you all for the advice
bottom line seems to be stay away from Pete Carroll, who used to own Prosport in Stockport - he's ignoring my texts and emails.
he has, interestingly, contacted the garage where my car is now and offered to come in on a Sunday and rebuild the bottom end. i've told the garage I don't want him doing this. a)it's nowhere near enough of a contribution and b) if things do go **** up again and he's done some of the work, he'll blame the garage and they'll blame him
so the garage is in the process of doing the work - they'll have the block milled for 14mm studs etc and go from there. quote of £2.8k (incl VAT) all in.
i'm going to have to do it, as the car isn't worth much as a non-runner.
then try and see if i can pursue Pete down legal channels - and taking advice on this first, given he's sold Prosport.
bottom line seems to be stay away from Pete Carroll, who used to own Prosport in Stockport - he's ignoring my texts and emails.
he has, interestingly, contacted the garage where my car is now and offered to come in on a Sunday and rebuild the bottom end. i've told the garage I don't want him doing this. a)it's nowhere near enough of a contribution and b) if things do go **** up again and he's done some of the work, he'll blame the garage and they'll blame him
so the garage is in the process of doing the work - they'll have the block milled for 14mm studs etc and go from there. quote of £2.8k (incl VAT) all in.
i'm going to have to do it, as the car isn't worth much as a non-runner.
then try and see if i can pursue Pete down legal channels - and taking advice on this first, given he's sold Prosport.