Bad Engine... what to do?

ludecrous · 06-13-2013, 11:53 PM

03 WRX No Mods
82,000 miles -All regular service, never any crazy problems.

Rattle in engine at around 4k rpms. Thought it would be an easy fix, something loose.
Diagnosed by two shops, noise from short block area, as needing a tear down / rebuild. $5k to $7k

I dont think the car is worth that much.

What should I do?

Im thinking of selling. Any advice would be cool.

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Uncle Scotty · 06-13-2013, 11:57 PM

it can be rebuilt for less

ludecrous · 06-14-2013, 01:36 AM

What normally goes wrong down there? I need to find a local good guy to see how much they can do it for. I know I dont have the skills or tools myself to do that. About as deep as I have ever gotten is adjusting valve lash, replacing mufflers and airboxes.

hoffmanEstates · 06-14-2013, 06:33 AM

Do it your self, manuals.are plentyfull free online and OEM standard parts are cheap. You could possibly rebuild it for 1/3 of their asking price

chris@grimmspeed · 06-14-2013, 10:38 AM

It only rattles at 4k? Do you have a video you can post?

StarburstAutos · Yesterday, 02:13 PM

could it be knock from bad gas run tank low and put 91-93 octane in or just put a octane booster in and see if it goes away. not saying this is it but worth a try. also engine can be rebuilt for way less its like 1800 for a short block from Subaru and its not a big job to swap your good parts to it .

chuchin420 · Yesterday, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarburstAutos

could it be knock from bad gas run tank low and put 91-93 octane in or just put a octane booster in and see if it goes away. not saying this is it but worth a try. also engine can be rebuilt for way less its like 1800 for a short block from Subaru and its not a big job to swap your good parts to it .

Or just buy a used complete longblock and be done with it, its easy and way cheaper than what the shop would charge you for a rebuild.

06-13-2013, 11:53 PM	#1
ludecrous Scooby Specialist Member#: 19376 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: chi town Vehicle: 2003 03 WRX Wagon silver	Bad Engine... what to do? 03 WRX No Mods 82,000 miles -All regular service, never any crazy problems. Rattle in engine at around 4k rpms. Thought it would be an easy fix, something loose. Diagnosed by two shops, noise from short block area, as needing a tear down / rebuild. $5k to $7k I dont think the car is worth that much. What should I do? Im thinking of selling. Any advice would be cool. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-13-2013, 11:57 PM	#2
Uncle Scotty Scooby Guru Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	it can be rebuilt for less

06-14-2013, 01:36 AM	#3
ludecrous Scooby Specialist Member#: 19376 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: chi town Vehicle: 2003 03 WRX Wagon silver	What normally goes wrong down there? I need to find a local good guy to see how much they can do it for. I know I dont have the skills or tools myself to do that. About as deep as I have ever gotten is adjusting valve lash, replacing mufflers and airboxes.

06-14-2013, 06:33 AM	#4
hoffmanEstates Scooby Guru Member#: 122043 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: aurora Vehicle: 04 wagonier psm	Do it your self, manuals.are plentyfull free online and OEM standard parts are cheap. You could possibly rebuild it for 1/3 of their asking price

06-14-2013, 10:38 AM	#5
chris@grimmspeed Scooby Specialist Member#: 301037 Join Date: Nov 2011 Vehicle: 2003 & 2006 WRX WRB & OBP	It only rattles at 4k? Do you have a video you can post?

Yesterday, 02:13 PM	#6
StarburstAutos Scooby Newbie Member#: 344253 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: barberton ohio Vehicle: 03 03 wrx sedan primer	could it be knock from bad gas run tank low and put 91-93 octane in or just put a octane booster in and see if it goes away. not saying this is it but worth a try. also engine can be rebuilt for way less its like 1800 for a short block from Subaru and its not a big job to swap your good parts to it .