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As some of you are aware Andy (Brownpantsracing) put his FSTI up for sale recently due to suspected early stages of head gasket failure!
As Andy is only a 20 minute drive from me I thought I would go and take a look...a deal was done and the car was now mine.
I drove the car for a few days and couldn't fault it, I carried out several sniff tests and they passed everytime (even after a hard drive) but....i took the car on the motorway and noticed the temp gauge started to creep up to the 3/4 Mark the radiator had hot and cold patches so I suspected a partially blocked radiator.
I removed and flushed the radiator ,replaced the thermostat, filled up with fresh coolant but still had the gauge creeping up on the motorway so sod it I have tonight removed the engine and stripped off the heads!
I'm going to get the heads checked order a set of cosworth head gaskets,ARP head stud kit new oil pump and an uprated radiator.
will update as I go
i thought it was always bad practice to just do the head gaskets on the 2.5 engine, ive read quite a few threads where the bottom end has failed shortly after heads were done.
are the fsti 2.5 pistons as weak as the impreza 2.5 pistons?
i thought it was always bad practice to just do the head gaskets on the 2.5 engine, ive read quite a few threads where the bottom end has failed shortly after heads were done.
are the fsti 2.5 pistons as weak as the impreza 2.5 pistons?
Yes that is what people say but....I couldn't tell you how many sets of Subaru head gaskets I have replaced over the last 15 years and only ever had 1 come back about a month later with the bottom end gone so I am happy to take the risk...if the bottom end let's go down the line then I will worry about that as and when.
I’m aware of what you are saying above re bottom end but one went which was why it was done , the second fsti bottom end seemed fine to me and the re builder but but one bearing was on its way out
I’m aware of what you are saying above re bottom end but one went which was why it was done , the second fsti bottom end seemed fine to me and the re builder but but one bearing was on its way out
You lot worry to much! It will be fine.....i hope lol...
So the forester is back up and running, not driven it yet tho as I've still not got the new radiator.
Will update once I've driven it!
Fitted cosworth head gaskets, ARP head stud kit,11mm oil pump, cam belt and tensioner new rocker cover gaskets and relevant seals.
The mrs fsti went at around 80k miles , arp bolts not done at the time , hg went around 130 k likely due to no arp bolts , it’s on around 180 k miles or so still a nice car still pulls like a train , mine went at 83k miles , both cars are now forged , shame it failed but i don’t regret doing them as they are great cars , good all rounders , quick if you want, decent mpg , big boot , sleepers , apart from sometimes the engine they are very reliable ,the only thing that i would like would be cruise control for long journeys , thought about fitting one but it’s cost and the fiddle of putting one in put me off , my next car when ones terminal will be another fsti
BPR's old Forester STI
