angry_boy

Hi all,
Well I picked up my 2001 P1 on Friday after getting up at 4.20am and flying to Glasgow to collect.
After going through all the checks you can I was happy that the car was as far as I could see, sound. No rust, no accident damage, just a few age related marks which is fine. No knocks, bangs or rattles coming from the engine, which has had a rebuild about 25k ago at API.
So me and the misses do the deal, part with a decent sum of cash and get on our way back on the circa 400mile trip back to Wiltshire.
I'm always very wary about listening to any noises when I first get a car, being overly paranoid I suppose, so drove fairly steady for a while, until we headed off piste a bit around the Abington and Moffat areas. These are some stunning roads and the P1 just bashed them up with ease, all is fine.
Back on to the motorway for a bit, cruising around 70-75 (most of the time) making some good MPG, I reckon around 30mpg which is pretty respectable, only having to stop twice the entire way home, once for Vpower and once for Ultimate. In between we stopped in the Lake District for a spot of lunch, which was nice, then back to the motorway after a little spar with a Carrera 4s, which was also nice.
Eventually we make it back and by this time I'm starting to really, dare i say it, love this car, its just driven near on 10 hours straight faultlessly.
So just before heading in for the night we go for a 'spirited' run not for too far and by no means jumping off the limiter in every gear. As we're having a cool down I notice a rattle/knock coming from the engine, ****!!!
Not being a mechanic by any means and knowing a little bit about a little bit can be dangerous, I'm not sure if this is the bottom end or not!! I have started the car since, hoping the magic engine fairies have come in and sprinkled the notorious engine dust and fixed the problem, but suprisingly they haven't!! I'm sooo gutted, and just hope that its not going to have done any major damage!!
I have spoke to the guy who I bought it from and he was quite sincere and seemed genuinely shocked that this had happened, and is keen to find out what the problem is. I suppose if there is any moral to this story its you pays ya money and takes ya chance!! Although with me it seems that if i can go wrong, IT WILL!!!
So I'm off to wallow in self pity for a while and think about what I've done, and how I'm gonna fix it. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions that would be ideal, cheers all.

Sam

awdx4

Hi Sam, sorry to read about the knock that's taken a little of the shine off your purchase. The trouble with your problem/description is that the sound could literally be any number things with the engine and associated mechanisms serving the engine. I had a knock from my Forester engine which occurred after lashing it big style which turned out to be a cam belt tensioner losing the plot. Soon sorted and normal service resumed, but it could be anything from water pump bearings to a big end shot and trying to identify the source of an errant noise in the engine bay can play all kinds of tricks with one's ears.

I'm sure there are lots of people on this site who can offer you a more experienced set of advice than me, but personally I'd get someone who is familiar with that type of engine to have an informed look at it in the flesh before allowing the engine to run much more.

I hope you get it sorted and that it's not too major.

Regards

Tim

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

I would not let the engine run at all like that. Get it towed to someone you trust to look at it. I know someone up here, but you are many many MANY miles away - sorry. Good luck with sorting it.

mgcvk

Probably worth registering over here as well http://www.p1woc.co.uk/

angry_boy

I'm a bit of a pessimist when it comes to things like this I just hope that it is someting else, not so severe!! Def need to get an expert opinion with someone familiar with the engine. Any volunteers??!!

angry_boy

Check!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Wiltshire? Can you get the car to API?

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

The chap who owns "scooby Projects" in Ledbury Glos does a lot with the P1 just rebuilt his own,might be worth giving him a ring......01531635097.....his name is Keith

kevin wrx

iTrader: (1)

sorry to here that hope u get it sorted without too much hassle

angry_boy

Hey thanks for all your responses!!
Update so far, I have run the car and the knock/rattle seems more to be like a click, like the old clothes peg in your push bike spokes, if that makes any sense!! It doesnt get louder with revs just faster!!
My uncle knows of a guy who races Imprezas that is local to me so is going to see if he would be so kind to come and have a look and see if he can't give me a more precise diagnosis.
Cheers Sam

Fuzz

video phone.. upload.. let us listen ???

sparkytrix

how unfortunate mate... give API a ring?

angry_boy

Yeah, but I have managed to lose my USB connector for my phone!!!

Fuzz

Ahh crappy old phone then

There's no app for that.

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

Tbho mate EJ motors are quite noisy engines any way but if its just aclick it doesnt sound to bad as when big ends go it can usually be easily identified,i have just rebuilt my motor[forge]and when hot and idling it also has a small amount of click but then i havent heard one yet that sounded what i would term as 'quiet' lol.

L.J.F

iTrader: (31)

Welcome to the paranoid club

54_WRX

iTrader: (3)

Sam,

You really dont have much luck with cars do you!

Mark.

Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

Your not listening to the injectors are you?

scooby L

David Hendry's in Malmesbury have been dealing with Subaru's since late 80's.

alp27

not just me then . I bought a 2002 STI Prodrive a month ago and despite having it serviced and being told its all spot on i'm still jumpy and listening for little noises...

I tell myself FFS just drive it but u know what its like LOL

angry_boy

No, not really!!

As above, things seem to break alot when I drive them which will make you paranoid!!

angry_boy

I don't think so, the noise has definately started after the drive home, unless one is failing??

Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

Does it do it on tick over/idle, or do you have to touch the throttle before you hear it?

It doesn't sound like the 'typical' bottom end symptoms. The fact that it gets faster with the engine speed and not louder is kind of reassuring.

angry_boy

It's audible on tickover, sort of dies out a bit further up the revs tho.

Fingers crossed its not as bad as it could be but think I'll have to wait for a professional's opinion to be certain!!

Cheers for all the replies though every one.

Sam

super_ted

iTrader: (30)

My boost solonoid clicks very loudy somtimes, sh*t me up the first time i heard it. Could be that?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

BP ultimate + p1 + spirited drive = 'click'

Which is a big end failure on an EJ engine.

Ultimate is no better than 97 on a good day and is unsuitable for lmpreza turbos.

Assuming all else is OK, the engine will need a new crank and bearings, 1 con rod, gaskets and seals. We do that, drive in - drive out £1500.00 + VAT.

No catches.
I am out of the office until weds AM call me then if we can help.

David APi

Agents for:
Simtek, the most exciting new Ecu for years
Buddy Club exhausts
Scoobysport exhausts
Eibach suspension
Hybrid front mount intercooler kits
AP Racing brakes and clutches
And of course; the well known APi Performance Exedy organic clutch

www.apiengines.com

01926 614333

LUCKO

iTrader: (3)

this is the reason i didnt buy a p1/type r

spent the extra and got a jdm twin scroll, give it plenty of beans and no rattles knocks... p1s are a money pit


all the best

Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

Oh dear, thats not good. Sorry for the OP.

djandyg

iTrader: (2)

are P1's extra prone to this sorta thing or something??

Having said that, my friend has owned 2 P1's.....one was good as gold, the other melted a piston and sucked bits up into the turbo, resulting in a 4k rebuild

angry_boy

D'oh!!