Opinions Wanted: What else to do during fuel leak fix?

[Coreyf983]

Gentlemen,

So I have read up on how this fix is completed. I know what I have to do to fix the leak, but my next question is this: Does anyone have an OPINION or ADVICE on anything else THEY would PERSONALLY do to THEIR car while they were doing the fuel leak fix (the intake manifold must be removed)?

Thank you in advance.

My car is a 2004WRX. The car is stock other than exhaust.

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[APM Tuned]

Your speaking about the WRX TSB Fuel Line fix? There are also the fixes that pertain to the fuel rail which Subaru can and does still at time perform in "good will" manners.

-Mark

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by APM Racing

Your speaking about the WRX TSB Fuel Line fix? There are also the fixes that pertain to the fuel rail which Subaru can and does still at time perform in "good will" manners.

-Mark

Mark,

Thank you for your reply. I am referring to the kit that includes two gaskets for the manifold, a fuel rail, 2 small hoses and one larger hose. I am going to do the fix myself, so that's why I'm asking. I have already exhausted myself trying to deal with subaru to fix the issue. They won't cover it. Since I will have the intake manifold off, I'm wondering what else people think is a good idea to do/upgrade at the same time.

[eatsleepsubaru45379]

You could do a perrin turbo inlet, you wont have to shove it under the manifold if you take it off

[Coreyf983]

Turbo inlet is a good suggestion, thanks

[hoffmanEstates]

Hard pipe Turbo inlet, tgv deletes, phenolic spacers,

[APM Tuned]

Originally Posted by hoffmanEstates

Hard pipe Turbo inlet, tgv deletes, phenolic spacers,

Don't listen to this guy, he watches too much Burn Notice.

-Mark

[APM Tuned]

Originally Posted by Coreyf983

Mark,

Thank you for your reply. I am referring to the kit that includes two gaskets for the manifold, a fuel rail, 2 small hoses and one larger hose. I am going to do the fix myself, so that's why I'm asking. I have already exhausted myself trying to deal with subaru to fix the issue. They won't cover it. Since I will have the intake manifold off, I'm wondering what else people think is a good idea to do/upgrade at the same time.

So the latter, yeah that sucks bud, sometimes they are just that much of a pain.

Either way, doing whatever you'd want to do "in the mean-time" of the manifold removal is exactly what everyone else is talking about. The silicone hoses, TGV porting, Manifold porting (core swaps from Grimspeed are quick things).

IMO, I don't like the hard pipe because it utilizes a standard coupler at the end and when the oil gets to it and contaminates it, they slip off...well, my experience with APS hard pipes (not installed, just fixed) haha.

-Mark

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by hoffmanEstates

Hard pipe Turbo inlet, tgv deletes, phenolic spacers,

What are phenolic spacers?

[hoffmanEstates]

I might of.misspelled them. But they go between tgv's and intake manifold.

http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/pr...products_id=54

[careercadaver]

I would also recommend the spacers. The spacers are Phenolic material which provides a heat resistant barrier between the block and tgv's. You'll obviously need to double up on gaskets but this will help with heat soak. You'll want the 3mm unless you're going FMIC as well, then you can get away with 7mm. I would also consider painting of powdercoating the manifold and tgv's as there's not going to be an easier time...

[sackytar]

Tgv go bye bye.

[jbwolfe]

Originally Posted by Coreyf983

Mark,

Thank you for your reply. I am referring to the kit that includes two gaskets for the manifold, a fuel rail, 2 small hoses and one larger hose. I am going to do the fix myself, so that's why I'm asking. I have already exhausted myself trying to deal with subaru to fix the issue. They won't cover it. Since I will have the intake manifold off, I'm wondering what else people think is a good idea to do/upgrade at the same time.

How I dealt with it on my '04 STI: Just before 60000 miles (11/2008), went to dealer for final warranty work- asked for help with fuel leak, and clunking struts. Fuel leak was addressed by tightening clamps on lines and was told "could not duplicate" on clunk. (Have since replaced all four corners with Feal Suspension re-valved OEM- thanks Odi. The car went through both original rear struts and one of the replacements under warranty).
Fuel leak soon returned and had to endure winters of '09, '10 and '11 and was repeatedly told out of warranty but I pressed on with SOA and emphasized the problem being a fire hazard and having been reported before 60K miles and they agreed to cover half of the cost if done by authorized Subaru dealer. (~$900). Still think they should have covered total cost but generally satisfied with outcome. A fuel pressure regulator was also replaced FYI. Car is stock with the exception of the modded struts.

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by careercadaver

I would also recommend the spacers. The spacers are Phenolic material which provides a heat resistant barrier between the block and tgv's. You'll obviously need to double up on gaskets but this will help with heat soak. You'll want the 3mm unless you're going FMIC as well, then you can get away with 7mm. I would also consider painting of powdercoating the manifold and tgv's as there's not going to be an easier time...

I will probably stick with a FMIC. I am nervous to dump a bunch of money on the 2.0 block. I think it will be better to upgrade a couple years newer and then start the heavy mods on the 2.5 block in a bit down the road. I do think the TGV's and spacers are a good idea however, and not too much $.

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by jbwolfe

How I dealt with it on my '04 STI: Just before 60000 miles (11/2008), went to dealer for final warranty work- asked for help with fuel leak, and clunking struts. Fuel leak was addressed by tightening clamps on lines and was told "could not duplicate" on clunk. (Have since replaced all four corners with Feal Suspension re-valved OEM- thanks Odi. The car went through both original rear struts and one of the replacements under warranty).
Fuel leak soon returned and had to endure winters of '09, '10 and '11 and was repeatedly told out of warranty but I pressed on with SOA and emphasized the problem being a fire hazard and having been reported before 60K miles and they agreed to cover half of the cost if done by authorized Subaru dealer. (~$900). Still think they should have covered total cost but generally satisfied with outcome. A fuel pressure regulator was also replaced FYI. Car is stock with the exception of the modded struts.

This has been the most frustrating part about Subaru SOA. I do not understand why some people's costs have been covered (or partially), but yet others do not. I have tried over and over exhausting myself to get this covered (trust me, I've been persistent), but I guess I was not as fortunate as some others.

[sense of nature]

I think it all depends on teh stealership

[mike280]

I thought this was a real Recall now not just a TSB.

Either way I purchased the kit and did it myself. My suggestions:

Get a silicone turbo inlet.
TGV deletes
Use Oeitker clamps. I ordered mine off ebay.

I've had issues with all other styles of screw clamps.

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by sense of nature

I think it all depends on teh stealership

I was dealing with SOA, not the dealership (at first at least).

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by mike280

I thought this was a real Recall now not just a TSB.

Either way I purchased the kit and did it myself. My suggestions:

Get a silicone turbo inlet.
TGV deletes
Use Oeitker clamps. I ordered mine off ebay.

I've had issues with all other styles of screw clamps.

I was wondering about the clamps. The kit says to reuse the original ones, but I was hoping someone would suggest a replacement. Thanks

[Coreyf983]

Here is what I plan to do all at once in a month or so once the weather warms up:

-Up pipe (catted)
-Downpipe (catted)
-Turbo inlet pipe (need to decide silicone or hard pipe)
-new valve cover gaskets
-TGV deletes
-Phenolic spacers (3mm)
-Fuel rail leak fix


Please add any suggestions if you feel like it.

[Subian]

Originally Posted by Coreyf983

Here is what I plan to do all at once in a month or so once the weather warms up:

-Up pipe (catless)
-Downpipe (catted)
-Turbo inlet pipe (need to decide silicone or hard pipe)
-new valve cover gaskets
-TGV deletes
-Phenolic spacers (3mm)
-Fuel rail leak fix


Please add any suggestions if you feel like it.

Fisked.. Subaru stopped putting cat. converters in the up-pipe in 2004 in the sti and 2006 in the wrx.

[Coreyf983]

Originally Posted by Subian

Fisked.. Subaru stopped putting cat. converters in the up-pipe in 2004 in the sti and 2006 in the wrx.

Did they make any other additional changes to allow the up pipe cat deletes? I do not want more exhaust smell than necessary.

[APM Tuned]

The rear cat in the down pipe is the one that would make it smell. The front delete is good as it allowed better exhaust flow into the turbo charger, and when they fell apart pieces weren't spit into the turbocharger.

-Mark