I drive a WRX STi with 14k miles on it.

2 weeks ago, my car has lost power abruptly. I took it over to the Subaru dealership, and they told me im wrong, and it feels great. I explained that at higher rpms, it sounds like rocks are getting kicked up like in the passenger seat/footrest area, when there are no rocks. I mentioned misfiring, and they said im wrong, and its great. They gave it back, and it was still slow... slower than a normal WRX. I could barely redline 2nd it didnt have enough power. So the next day I brought it back, and said the same thing, and they told me they would look at it. I told them the codes were p0303 and p0304, but the cel turned off after I restarted. They said ok, and took the car back in. Next day I get the car back, and it is even worse, and now, I cant boost over 7 psi, but they told me it ran great, and its perfectly powered. So I figured, maybe I need to reset the ecu. So after doing so, I go to turn the car on, and then instead of the normal re re re re re it does before it starts, I get more of a Re re reee... re re reee.... re re reee... sound, and I'm like what the heck? So my boost stops hitting 7, and drops to 3 then stays around 3 psi. I bring it back in, no even able to redline first, and they agree'd, its down on power this time (finally).

I brought it in 2ce for misfiring, but they couldnt diagnose it even when I told them what it was, and they waited untill it got bad enough that it ruined my cat. A car that misfires puts gas on the superheated cat and it ignites, raising the temp too high. They still havent fixed the misfiring problem, as they have only took off the downpipe. They said I did it by adding fuel additives, but I only run 93 oct.

I finally got the car back on saturday, and it ran ok I guess. Anyways, I noticed out of the exhaust poured alot of smoke. white and sometimes black. It was also comming out of my hoodscoop. I was burning oil.

Does the oil burning in the exhaust sound like something internal? Its leaking externally a little too. Basically, this HAS to be the reason my catalytic converter died the first time. Does this sound like a fried piston ring? Now tomorrow I need to go back to the dealer and ask them why my car pours out black smoke.

On a side note, when starting up the car, it sometimes goes rerereeee rerereeee instead of the steady rerererererere. I dunno. Dealership cant seem to find the problem either. I swear its something major. They are lucky I checked the oil 200 miles after they changed it because it was down more than 2 qts. I had to fill it up this morning with oil so I dont seize up the engine. At this point, I dont think they will fix the problem again, as im sure I need new new catalytic converters again, and I also need my cylinders checked out. My cats arent super bad yet, but the backpressure is getting noticable already, after driving 50 miles this weekend.


Whats your opinion of the problem? I have no clue what to tell the dealership now.

Stop driving the car. It is broken. Take it to another dealer.

bump.

could you identfy a cause for this?

could you identfy a cause for this?

....sounds to me like....

The engine blew up.

The dealer is worthless.

The guy keeps driving a borked car, borking it more.

....but it is really hard to tell from 1500, or so, miles away.

Is this the first time you posted this? This is NOT the first time i have heard this story.
I sure hope this doesnt become a trend.

Was the car stock its whole life? If not what mods did you have?




EDIT: It was you I was reading about before.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698303

Just for the rest that are going "***??"
He bought the car used. The dealer voided his warranty because of "different clamps on the exhaust"

I'll save my theory... But I am not thinking this is a common problem at all.


~v6

Have you done a compression test to make sure engine is in good shape?

Do a compression/leak down test. These are the same symptoms my Magnus motor did went it went bad. :mad:

bump.

The second I got it back from the dealership it was doing this... sorta like they didnt notice the oil dripping and the smoke everywhere. Im trying to get an understanding of what it could be before the dealership feeds me some bs about its cause.

I still have a full warantee, they fixed the aftermarket parts.

The second I got it back from the dealership it was doing this... sorta like they didnt notice the oil dripping and the smoke everywhere. Im trying to get an understanding of what it could be before the dealership feeds me some bs about its cause.

I still have a full warantee, they fixed the aftermarket parts.


I wouldn't have 'got it back from the dealer' in it's condition......

I bet ya blew it up, and they know that and they are just gonna let YOU figure it out.

If you've lost compression on one of the cylinders, it will sound like you described on start-up. I'm betting you've lost a piston.

How would I have blown it up? I felt the loss of power while driving on the highway the first time... could the clogged cat led to a messed up piston? I had soo much backpressure I couldnt even hit redline reving it. It could have all started from an ignition problem, right?

I'm going to the dealership later today and telling them I've put in 3 qts of oil just to keep the damn engine from seizing up, and that I was working Monday so I didnt have time to get it in. I mean, its the truth.

How would I have blown it up? I felt the loss of power while driving on the highway the first time... could the clogged cat led to a messed up piston? I had soo much backpressure I couldnt even hit redline reving it. It could have all started from an ignition problem, right?

I'm going to the dealership later today and telling them I've put in 3 qts of oil just to keep the damn engine from seizing up, and that I was working Monday so I didnt have time to get it in. I mean, its the truth.

wut kinda mod you did in your car before?

How would I have blown it up? I felt the loss of power while driving on the highway the first time... could the clogged cat led to a messed up piston? I had soo much backpressure I couldnt even hit redline reving it. It could have all started from an ignition problem, right?

I'm going to the dealership later today and telling them I've put in 3 qts of oil just to keep the damn engine from seizing up, and that I was working Monday so I didnt have time to get it in. I mean, its the truth.


Look d00d....ya blew the engine up....it's toast.....done....gone....

STOP driving it!!!!!

Look d00d, I have no other way of getting to school or work until I have a second car, so I needed to take it in when it was convienient for me. If its blown up, it wouldnt run at all, right?

My mod was some sort of diff hose connecter... like it wasnt Subaru made... maybe I can find a pic of it...

A blown engine can still run, it can still run on 3 pistons, or if the compression is out of spec - it doesnt mean it'll run like its supposed to, or its an easy fix. All the symptoms you give indicate a hosed piston. If you keep driving it - it might become more severe over time and something else will inevitably break.

Good luck with any dealer replacing a shortblock under warranty.

I had the same thing going on in my car and I had the same train of thought as you did I just need to drive the car one more day because I will get fired from work if I dont show up. Well the one day cost me a brand new short block and brand new heads so in other terms it cost me a whole new long block. Please listen to everyone if you have not taken the car back to the dealer. STOP driving the car don't even drive the car to the dealership have it towed.

Please listen to everyone if you have not taken the car back to the dealer. STOP driving the car don't even drive the car to the dealership have it towed.


1234.com



Mika

The dealership is replacing the turbo, saying thats why all this is happening.

I'm calling BS

The dealership is replacing the turbo, saying thats why all this is happening.

I'm calling BS
Its very possible to be the seal in the turbo. There have been several reports of them going bad and burning oil.

The dealership is replacing the turbo, saying thats why all this is happening.

I'm calling BS



If it is JUST the turbo, then you got VERY lucky.....you should not have driven the car with it eating oil like that.....THAT will kill your engine quick, like.

They are starting to throw around the "Abuse" word... how does one abuse a turbo being stock? Spooling too much?

How did explain the misfire codes? I haven't heard of a bad turbo causing a misfire code. I guess it could cause excessive backpressure, but that's it.



Mika

They are starting to throw around the "Abuse" word... how does one abuse a turbo being stock? Spooling too much?

As far as I know, the only way you can abuse a turbo is by installing a boost controller and boosting the **** out of it. As far as I know, you don't have a boost controller, so there really shouldnt be any reason for them to call abuse.

Does anyone else notice that the poster (brendan) is getting bumps form Sumblime?

Hrmmm both from Texas...

Sublime is a friend... He has a pretty quick WRX.

God (user Name) already suggested to have leak down test aka compression test. Tell your dealer to do that to make sure that there are no problem.

Oil comsumption is a sign of piston ring not sealing correctly (again leak down test will show less than other cylinders). If turbo was leaking oil you would've noticed it. Turbo is so hot that you would have seen the smoke coming out while you are driving.
It seems to me, you got a blown engine. I hope this is not the case....

Do you know what previous owner did to STI? I bet he ran manual boost controller or CATLESS TBE without EM? Sometimes, you got to be careful with used car purchase.... There is a reason why it could be less than average price......

BTW, Misfire unless you have aftermarket EM is normally caused by broken ring. It could also be cuased by the coil pack but unlikely.....
They should be following the SUBARU Diagnostic Procedure which includes examining "COIL PACK/SPARK", "COMPRESSION TEST", & "GASKET SEALING (HEAD GASKET)" at miminum before they move to TURBO....

Just my 2 cents.

Do you know what previous owner did to STI? Sometimes, you got to be careful with used car purchase.... There is a reason why it could be less than average price......



Absolutely. My 04 STi was not in good shape after 14,000 blingus miles. That thing was pinging badly and i ran lots of race gas through it. I would have to lay half of the blame on me and half on the XEDE and tuning.

Not to mention the rear diff chunking, 2nd gear grinding and 2 quarts of oil loss every 1000 miles.

Does anyone else notice that the poster (brendan) is getting bumps form Sumblime?

Hrmmm both from Texas...

Yeah, Brenden has been getting bumps from Sublime. He is a friend of mine and I'm interested in knowing what happened to his car. You think this is some sort of conspiracy or somethin?

Yeah, Brenden has been getting bumps from Sublime. He is a friend of mine and I'm interested in knowing what happened to his car. You think this is some sort of conspiracy or somethin?

Well of course... all conspiracies come out of texas. Look at our president :p

Seriously, I was just playing around about it. Good luck with the car, I hate to see an STi having problems.

I couldn't agree with you more on the president thing...

Haha, anyways, yea, the fact is, that I still have the remaining warrantee, so no matter what, they should cover it, and I have the funds to take it to court if they dont. They told me that I have a full warrantee, and that they are warranting the turbo.

What dealer is this?

And what was this little mod???

A non stock vaccuum hose for the boost gauge with a non stock "t"

A non stock vaccuum hose for the boost gauge with a non stock "t"

yawn....

I couldn't agree with you more on the president thing...
WHA!?!?! someone from good ol Texas that doesnt think W is the bestest president ever! i suddenly have renewed faith in our America.

back to the f'd up car thing...you sure the first time you drove it, you weren't under the "ether" from just buying your new car? did the dealer give you a new specific warranty with your car? if not, subaru may not cover problems that occur with your vehicle if the car has been previously modified. i just hope you get your car fixed for free.

WHA!?!?! someone from good ol Texas that doesnt think W is the bestest president ever! i suddenly have renewed faith in our America.


Yeah, I definitely don't think W is anywhere near one of the best presidents in america. Probably one of the worst. Maybe it's because I've only been in Texas since 98...

back to the f'd up car thing...you sure the first time you drove it, you weren't under the "ether" from just buying your new car? did the dealer give you a new specific warranty with your car? if not, subaru may not cover problems that occur with your vehicle if the car has been previously modified. i just hope you get your car fixed for free.


No, I bought it from a Subaru dealership with remaining factory warrantee present. That being said, the turbo is under warrantee, and whatever else is broken. Im just out of 300 for the cat install.

No, I bought it from a Subaru dealership with remaining factory warrantee present. That being said, the turbo is under warrantee, and whatever else is broken. Im just out of 300 for the cat install.

I believe it's spelled warranty.

Frankly, this whole deal smells - the dealer is trying to run one on you and is trying to keep SOA out of the loop. Here's the problem: once that car was modded, SOA will NOT warranty the drivetrain, and the dealer knows this. I think the only real "warranty" you've got is the dealer's word. He's going to have to come out of pocket to fix the car - unless he just flat out lies to SOA.

Be polite, but tell him very clearly that you do NOT want to hear the word "abuse" again. I'm afraid he's telling you that he KNOWS the motor is toast, and he's trying to set you up for the fall. I dunno, buddy, but I'd say you've got a fight on your hands.

Give it one more shot, and if they don't fix it, fire up your attorney.

Have you done a compression test to make sure engine is in good shape?

Again, you really need to have this done. Stop screwing around w/ your car and find out what is really going on.

They did a compression test, and cyl 4 is screwed. But im not happy with this synopsis. Sure, they found out what everyone knew, which is prolly new shortblock/longblock, but what they still wont tell me, is WHY IT HAPPENED. I dont want to go through this another time because they dont know what happened, and why it started this. Why wont they find that out for me? Its more expensive in the long run when my car is in every 8 months for a new engine/cats/turbo due to misfiring and preignition.

So far, they have replaced my Cats, and my Turbo (they thought thats why I was leaking oil), and now they will replace the Engine. I really wish they would replace spark plug wires and spark plugs, as that could cause all the problems I had, and cheap and easy to replace.


I'm getting it fixed for free.

I'm getting it fixed for free.


Glad to hear that you're getting taken care of. Thanks for keeping us updated:)




Mika

damn brenden thats ****ed!, its me fadi with the white sti, teh st0ner, anyways dude that sux , i like your 3000GT :P

They did a compression test, and cyl 4 is screwed. But im not happy with this synopsis. Sure, they found out what everyone knew, which is prolly new shortblock/longblock, but what they still wont tell me, is WHY IT HAPPENED.

Leakdown testing??? Make sure they check the clearance of the buckets while the heads/cams are off. When mine was checked, 6 of them were out of acceptable clearance. This was with only 13k on the odometer.

Brenden, this happened to my 04 wrx with my stage 4, your car is fuked thats all i gotta say, my car did that alot and then it started shaknig so hard it creeked and sounded like something exploded everytime i hit WOT.......

Remember man , it's a car not a game, it can break! i didn't have that in my mind, my 04 i raped liek i do the cars in need for speed 2 lol.

but with my 05 sti im nicer, my UTEC will be here thursday.

what about your COBB what if you laoded the wrong map?

Fadi, alot of people used to confuse me with you, lol. Anyways, I dislike the 3000gt, but that dude in the G35 who decided to outhandle me on a curvy road couldnt:) He was pretty displeased with himself.. and he had the coupe:).

Told the dealership I didnt think the problem was the piston ring from the start... that something caused it.


Just because I took it on some soft dirt doesnt mean I treat it like a game... :-P

So, are they done with the car, or have they found something else wrong with it?

I have no Accessport. It was my ring landing... shattered in the 4th cyl. Rebuilding under warrantee... basically said ANYTHING will void the whole warrantee, i guess DP's do too...

I know the thread is long dead, but im resurrecting it (sp?) to give an update:

They rebuilt the motor, and 3 days after I couldnt boost more than 10 psi, AGAIN. Thinking it was the Catalytic converter again, I put a downpipe I bought for the car (never was installed before that... car was having the engine issues, and I didnt want to modify it in any way if it was broken.) because I thought I fried ANOTHER cat. The new dp solved the boost problems, but the clutch went out a few days after the car was put back together - AFTER I had them check the clutch 2ce to make sure it wasnt bad(which included touching the clutch itself by the guy who was rebuilding my engine with his greasy hands), so I could buy a new one in case it was toasted. I put the stock dp back on, couldnt build much boost like before, and took it in. They said they knew i modified it, so after talking to the district rep, he understood why I put it on and covered the clutch, keeping my full warranty, as long as I promised never to mod the car again. I agree'd, knowing my warranty was over in a year or two anyways, and after learning my lesson after learning how valuble a warranty is. Well, a week later while driving down the highway at 6 PM, piston #1 failed, and I took it to a new dealership, not wanted to get F***ed over again, and they found that cyl one spark plug was torn up, and they denied warranty work on claims that I did organized racing and abused the car. The district rep agree'd, saying it couldnt have possibly happened.

I have heard rumblings that the same dealership who rebuilt my engine had previously blown another engine (Not sure if it was an sti), which fueled my anger at the situation.


So I fired up the attorney, and its been a year and a half of my car sitting, waiting for some sort of resolution.

Too bad I never made it to a track nor raced it. Being modified wasnt even a reason for denial as far as I can tell. Im glad, because it shouldnt have been. It seemed like they used my lack of knowlege at the time to push me around.

It was my daily driver I bought because I really wanted a wrx before I could even drive, and opportunity arose to own one of the best cars I could afford, which was a WRX STi.

We'll see what happens, but they are using online posts as evidence against me, this was stated before we even got an attorney involved. As I think I said previously, the car shows no signs of abuse, so all they really have is posts made online by an anonymous user claiming to be me, regardless if it was or not.

Its been far too long to want to just let them fix the car now.

Does anyone have any recolection of West Houston Subaru rebuilding a car/working on it, and having it not perform as expected?