davmcc75

I just bought my first subaru a 1996 wrx sti and already having problems after only 60 miles so some help would be greatlful. I was Seeing what it could do yesterday when all off a sudden i appeared to loose power and loads of oil pouring from around the turbo area with lots of oil in the intercooler, turbo and air filter. I bought a second hand turbo (untested) and refitted it. but oil still seems to be making its way back into the intercooler filter and turbo, and only boosting to half the PSI it shoul be. I think there is a slight miss but put this down to oil in the above areas. The car is also now blowing white smoke from the exhaust and around the air filter and intercooler. There was no white smoke prior to changing the turbo. Could anyone please give me any ideas. As I cant wait to get back in it and drive again. already hooked after only 60 miles. Many thanks in advance.

GazTheHat

API Engines

Blueblaster

This is my first thought (and you have to bare in mind I have little time for money-pit cars), how much did you pay for it? Is it possible to scrap the car and put the money you have made on parts towards one that works? I'm not a mechanic, but it sounds to me like you've bought a lemon that's going to be in and out of the garage for as long as you own it. Don't be afraid to cut your losses - it could well work out cheaper in the long run. Good luck.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

double post !

bighead

iTrader: (1)

BLUE, yr doing it again......stop been so pessimistic,and bearer of bad news

the poor guy need good info to help him decide which ever way that he want to go

davmcc75

The car is to good to be scrapped it only has 55000 miles full service history etc. and is very clean is all respects, the car ran very powerfully and smooth until this happened. I think I will be willing to risk spending the money to fix it for now. I payed £3000 which is about right for the car of this year. lets just hope what ever it is once fixed it will be a good car. I have now put into a garage who also suspect turbo.

Blueblaster

I know I can be a miserable old g1t sometimes, but I was just trying to suggest that chucking a shed load of cash at it (if that is what turns out to be required) might not be the best course of action with a car of this age and value.

[/QUOTE]"loose power and loads of oil pouring from around the turbo area with lots of oil in the intercooler, turbo and air filter. I bought a second hand turbo (untested) and refitted it. but oil still seems to be making its way back into the intercooler filter and turbo, and only boosting to half the PSI it shoul be. I think there is a slight miss but put this down to oil in the above areas. The car is also now blowing white smoke from the exhaust and around the air filter and intercooler". [/QUOTE]

This sounds to me like someone made a temporary fix to get the car sold knowing full well it is uneconomical to repair. Now you must give me some credit for not telling him to sell up and get a diesel and must surely admit that this number of things going wrong sounds like it is terminal. Even if the repair turns out to be viable the sensible thing to do would be to get the rest of car checked out to see if something else is about to go wrong.

Was just trying to be realistic.....

davmcc75

Seems blue was right, number four cylinder is down on power so needs new engine, which is likely to be quite a big bill. I am going to replace the engine and hope for the best, I feel gutted now, but lets hope the scooby experience will be worth it once replaced. I have tried API Engines but they qouted 1795 for supply only so its expensive.

davmcc75

£1275 for engine with 30 days warranty fitted and new cambelt and full service, I think thats not a bad deal.

Blueblaster

Just so you know I don't take any pleasure from being proved right. I know what a special purchase a new car is and for it go wrong so soon and so spectacularly is not something I would wish on anyone except ex-Chancellors of the Exchequer.

Before you get your car fixed get a specialist to give it the once over. You might find one that will do the inspection for free if you agree to let them do the engine rebuild. And one more thing while I'm preaching, when choosing a company to replace the engine don't just go for the cheapest price. In this game you often, though not always, get what you pay for and I would hate for you to shell out a load more cash only to get kicked in the teeth again.

ATB

bighead

iTrader: (1)

I second what Blue just type

get the work done by a "known" specialist with warrenty to boot !!

bighead

iTrader: (1)

Its only a good deal if it will last

beware of "second hand engines" unless you know/trust the seller/fitter

PeeVee

iTrader: (1)

I also second people's views about getting what you pay for.

Also be wary of anyone working on your car that does not have an understanding of Subaru's or it could cost you dearly!

One last thing... It sounds to me like your engine has either, holed or melted a piston, you need to ask the question WHY???...

Pistons don't generally decide that they are tired of living and develop a hole for no reason at all, there is normally an issue elsewhere that causes it, if you are not mindful of this then you could very well find yourself destroying another engine and be right back where you started + Skint!

Phil

billyray911

iTrader: (4)

After only sixty miles,i'd seriously be having words with the seller.Fit for purpose,springs to mind.With the threat of going to the small claims court,most sellers would do the hounorable thing and give you your money back.The market is flooded with decent cars and as othe posters have mentioned,before you get emotionaly and financially involved,get rid of it

davmcc75

Thanks for all the advice, I did speak to the seller and the he responded "the car was good when sold with no faults", and unless I could prove that there was a known fault prior to purchase, i would not stand a chance. The garage im sending the car to, have rallied subaru's so they have a good understanding of them, the engine I have purchased is from a low mileage salvage subaru with a 30 day warranty which is good on a second hand engine I believe. the garage fixing my subaru has also said they would do the cambelt, plugs, oil, oil filter and all other belts if I purchase them as they are rebuilding it. they have said they will only use the block from the other engine as all my other parts are good. The garage im with have appeared to be very good and friendly with a lot of knowledge about subaru's. Ill just put it down to bad experience with the seller and fingers crossed wont be back on here soon with another problem. the garage will be examing all parts while transferring onto new engine. Thanks for your advice blue, and i could understand where you were coming from, I just can't to start again with scrapping this one.

davmcc75

the cambelt etc will be fitted free, thats why I have to purchase them, they are only doing it as its alot easier while they are replacing it and trying ot help me save money

sti786

i would go ahead with that - and good luck

Blueblaster

Unless someone can post some info I would have a word with citizen's advice about making a claim against the seller. Your helpful garage might also be able to provide some technical info to say that the engine was shagged when you bought it. I know it is boring, but a few hours finding out what is possible might pay for your engine rebuild. At the very least the seller might be frightened into settling out of court and not having a judgement against him on his record.

davmcc75

it appears to be that this guy is dealing subaru's on ebay as he has sold one before with negative feedback and now has another one for sale. He also sold the car as a wrx sti but it turns out its only a WRX im starting to think about going to small claims court now, but may make contact first, now i know why he did not have the log book, he said he had just moved and needed to change address

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

i doubt he would stand any chance of getting a judgment in his favour, as in the beginning of his original post he freely admits " i was seeing what it would do" how many times has that happend to new scooby owners as we all know and many of us to our cost these cars need to be treated a certain way, and if the propper precautions are not taken it quite often ends in tears!
op sorry to hear about your troubles i know exactly how you feelscratch that then sounds like a dodgy dealer id go round with a few tasty mates and get him to cough up some cash and blood!!

davmcc75

Blue, have a look at e-bay no 120259462660 this is the car i bought, I have printed a copy of the ad and taking it to the garage tomoz where the car is and asking how much of the add is actually correct to what the car has. One valuable lesson I have learned is to make sure what im looking at. I took this guy at face value and believed the add to be true, but looks like there alot that wont be. I remember one statement the bloke at the garage said about it being standard WRX caipers on thats one way he knew it was not an sti. So i have the feeling its also been very faulsly advertised. Let me know what you think, and many thanks

davmcc75

WRX Calipers, you'll have to forgive my typing I have read it back and noticed a few mistakes

davmcc75

link to add for ease
1996 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 3 DAYS NO RESERVE AUCTION on eBay, also, Subaru, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 10-May-08 19:30:56 BST)

Blueblaster

Had a look at the ad. I think this could be a definite case of speaking to someone who knows the law. From what you have told us about the car the first thing that shouts at me is that it is advertised with FSH. It hasn't got one. Also "very strong engine like a rock (no oil leaks...)" must be a blatent lie. Did you drive it before you handed over your cash? The reason I ask is if the car had been allowed to cool and then the engine bay steam cleaned there would be no signs of oil leaks when in actual fact it is leaking like a sieve.

I think you are doing the right thing. Get the garage to give you a full list of things that are not as the advert says. Then go and speak to citizens advice and find out your options. If you don't want to speak to citizens advice then sign up on Pistonheads.com and put a post in the General section asking people for advice on your legal position. Pistonheads attacts a more sophisticated clientele than Scoobynet and you will probably get a reply from a lawyer who knows what he is talking about or another member who has had a similar problem.

Once you've done all this and if you find out you have a strong case I would give the seller a call and state that you have taken legal advice and believe he has broken the law for X,Y and Z reasons. Say you will be going to court to reclaim your costs and would like to give him the option to cough up first. Keep it all matter of fact, show no emotion (particularly agression). Then if all else fails start legal proceedings.

I have to admit you have been very unlucky. The car does look very clean and given you changed the turbo yourself it must have been very well presented to get past your mechanically-able eye. If all this comes to nothing then at least you have learnt a lesson that is not going to bankrupt you.

ATB

Blueblaster

I understand what you are saying but there is so much wrong with this advert that I would be confident of winning. The key is going to be working through the process keeping everything spot on in the eyes of the law. Going round with a load of mates for a punch up is a recipe for disaster and not worth the risk given we're only talking about 1500 quid. I appreciate these situations generate all sorts of feelings from anger through to upset, but in the end this chap is going to have a nice looking car with some sensible mods and and engine he has has confidence in. Yes it has cost more than he wanted but nothing a few days overtime won't pay for. Investigate getting your money back, but always keep in the back of your mind that at some point you are going to have to let it go and move on.

PeeVee

iTrader: (1)

Don't use the brakes as an argument, as there is no difference between STI & WRX brakes on Classic cars!

I can confirm though that you have got a wrx and not an STI.

I have put your VIN number into the Japanese Parts system and it tells me that you have a model code of GC8C48D, this tanslates into the following:

G = Impreza
C = Sedan
8 = 2.0L Turbo
C = 95 & 96my
4 = 4 Doors
8 = WRX - This should be "E" if it was an STI
D = 5 Speed Manual AWD

Phil

davmcc75

I did not test drive the car myself due to insurance and the bloke wanted to drive , but when I turned up the car was wet from where he had just washed it. I did not change the turbo myself I have a friend who is very mechanically minded and he done the turbo with me. sadly I did not take him to look at the car with me. I have seen citizen advice and informed them of the situation who believe i am in with a very good case as the car is definately not whats advertised. I have also contacted trading standards as I notice this guy is running under different e-bay names selling cars but registered as a private seller telling people its his wifes car as ive had freind e-mail him all getting the same reply. I will now write a letter to the individual who sold the car attaching a letter from the garage it is currently in stating all discrepencies and forwarding him a copy asking for a reply as I need to legally. The people working on my subaru are ex ralliers of subarus and have completed lots of wroks on Subaru previously and have come highly recommended. This garage has been spot on and done more than their fair share to help. thanks for all the response and hopefully one day ill be able to come on a scooby meet when mine is going and meet some new people. Cant wait

davmcc75

l Spoke to trading standards and they said due to the misdescription I could give the car back and request my £3000 as its not as described or I could sue for the difference in value at what it would have been should it be a standard car . But I dont think this car would have gone for much less if it was standard. What do you think you would value the car at without the mods thats stipulated which it hasn't got. Trading standards are also going to investigate to make sure he is not a dealer selling as private.

davmcc75

giving the car back is not an option as its started to be fixed, but im going to ask for £1000 to pay towards the repair

RJM25R

iTrader: (1)

Best of luck with this, but I really enjoyed the ebay ad (Not laughing at your expense, just the interesting info he posted. My favourites below!)


"Over 300bhp-kicks like a rocket" (as opposed to flies like a mule perhaps?)
"Xedy sports clutch increases BHP" VERY impressed!
"Engine like a rock" Hmmm, quite true. Useful as a garden ornament and f*ck all else!
"Extra spot lamps" Just what you need with a scoob. Wait, where the hell are they?????
"Cam belt done with receipt" Image of a Tesco till receipt in place of cam belt springs to mind......