2011 STi Engine Block Cracked

STINY11 · 06-23-2022, 09:08 PM

Hi all,

For reference, I'm in San Antonio.

I took my 11 STi into the dealership to get it's 60k mile service done. Yes, it only has 60k miles after 11 years. In the process, they found that the engine was having a misfire on the #2 cylinder. I had noticed the engine was running a little rough recently and was hoping that replacing the spark plugs would be the fix. After replacing the plugs (per the 60k service) the #2 was still misfiring, so they did a deep dive and discovered that the engine block is cracked.

I'm trying to figure out what my options might be. They're telling me it'll be at least $5k to fix it. I'm wondering if I should get a second opinion.

I might drag my car up to the Dallas/Fort Worth area next week to get it taken care of. Does anyone have any recommendations for that area?

If not, anyone have recommendations for San Antonio?

Should I just cut my losses and sell the car?

Thanks for your insight.

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Dave D. · 06-23-2022, 09:18 PM

Cheapest would be a new stock block. With only 60k miles on the car you could then sell the STI for some good money. You'll do better than selling a car that doesn't run imo. But if you're not tired of the car, they don't make them anymore!

benflynn · 06-23-2022, 09:59 PM

Cracked where? Now u can get a block with forged pistons.

STINY11 · 06-23-2022, 10:06 PM

They didn't tell me where it was cracked yet. I'm going in tomorrow morning to take a look for myself. I'll update once I know.

benflynn · 06-23-2022, 10:30 PM

I don’t trust mechanics, dealer mechanics the least. I suspect how they got to that diagnosis. Would have to look at the end of all those processes.

STINY11 · 06-23-2022, 10:34 PM

Yeah, I agree. Is there any dead giveaways that your engine block is cracked?

I wasn't getting smoke or anything loud in the engine (outside the usual loud noises, lol), etc. It was just a little rough in the midrange, as in it pulled fine full throttle and at lower RPMS, but would feel a little rough at around 2500 rpms with the pedal down around 25-75%. Nothing crazy, just felt like it had more to give and was holding back a little and would do a small amount of surging. Kind of like holding back a dog that really wants to run but you won't let it. Make sense?

Seems like a stretch that the engine block was cracked, so I might take it somewhere else to get them to look it over as well. I was hoping for some recommendations on here.

Elbert Bass · 06-24-2022, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STINY11

Yeah, I agree. Is there any dead giveaways that your engine block is cracked?

I wasn't getting smoke or anything loud in the engine (outside the usual loud noises, lol), etc. It was just a little rough in the midrange, as in it pulled fine full throttle and at lower RPMS, but would feel a little rough at around 2500 rpms with the pedal down around 25-75%. Nothing crazy, just felt like it had more to give and was holding back a little and would do a small amount of surging. Kind of like holding back a dog that really wants to run but you won't let it. Make sense?

Seems like a stretch that the engine block was cracked, so I might take it somewhere else to get them to look it over as well. I was hoping for some recommendations on here.

I think what benflynn is getting at is how did they diagnose this "crack" and exactly what is cracked? Having been a dealer tech for at least 12 manufacturers on and off for 40 plus years I agree with him - I have worked with too many techs that half ass guess because they lack the skill to perform an honest diagnosis or even a proper repair.
Did they determine this by simply performing a leakdown test?
Did you authorize a teardown for inspection?

SuperPete · 06-24-2022, 11:16 AM

My vote is on getting new OEM short block, Manly rods and pistons, king bearings and arp studs.
This should give you long lasting engine capable of 500WHP safely.
Start looking for good trusty shop to do this for you

SuperPete · 06-24-2022, 11:16 AM

My vote is on getting new OEM short block, Manly rods and pistons, king bearings and arp studs.
This should give you long lasting engine capable of 500WHP safely.
Start looking for good trusty shop to do this for you

wobbletop · 06-24-2022, 12:06 PM

I would guess that what is cracked is a ring land, but interested to hear what they say.

benflynn · 06-24-2022, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperPete

My vote is on getting new OEM short block, Manly rods and pistons, king bearings and arp studs.
This should give you long lasting engine capable of 500WHP safely.
Start looking for good trusty shop to do this for you

+2mm it, really wish I had on mine

06-23-2022, 09:08 PM	#1
STINY11 Scooby Newbie Member#: 285661 Join Date: Jun 2011 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: TX Vehicle: 2011 STI Dark Grey Metallic	2011 STi Engine Block Cracked Hi all, For reference, I'm in San Antonio. I took my 11 STi into the dealership to get it's 60k mile service done. Yes, it only has 60k miles after 11 years. In the process, they found that the engine was having a misfire on the #2 cylinder. I had noticed the engine was running a little rough recently and was hoping that replacing the spark plugs would be the fix. After replacing the plugs (per the 60k service) the #2 was still misfiring, so they did a deep dive and discovered that the engine block is cracked. I'm trying to figure out what my options might be. They're telling me it'll be at least $5k to fix it. I'm wondering if I should get a second opinion. I might drag my car up to the Dallas/Fort Worth area next week to get it taken care of. Does anyone have any recommendations for that area? If not, anyone have recommendations for San Antonio? Should I just cut my losses and sell the car? Thanks for your insight. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-23-2022, 09:18 PM	#2
Dave D. NASIOC Supporter Member#: 130990 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Menzel Lake, WA Vehicle: 06 Red Ltd.Wagon Dom 1.5xtr JJ tuned	Cheapest would be a new stock block. With only 60k miles on the car you could then sell the STI for some good money. You'll do better than selling a car that doesn't run imo. But if you're not tired of the car, they don't make them anymore!

06-23-2022, 09:59 PM	#3
benflynn Scooby Specialist Member#: 515308 Join Date: Jun 2020	Cracked where? Now u can get a block with forged pistons.

06-23-2022, 10:06 PM	#4
STINY11 Scooby Newbie Member#: 285661 Join Date: Jun 2011 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: TX Vehicle: 2011 STI Dark Grey Metallic	They didn't tell me where it was cracked yet. I'm going in tomorrow morning to take a look for myself. I'll update once I know.

06-23-2022, 10:30 PM	#5
benflynn Scooby Specialist Member#: 515308 Join Date: Jun 2020	I don’t trust mechanics, dealer mechanics the least. I suspect how they got to that diagnosis. Would have to look at the end of all those processes.

06-23-2022, 10:34 PM	#6
STINY11 Scooby Newbie Member#: 285661 Join Date: Jun 2011 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: TX Vehicle: 2011 STI Dark Grey Metallic	Yeah, I agree. Is there any dead giveaways that your engine block is cracked? I wasn't getting smoke or anything loud in the engine (outside the usual loud noises, lol), etc. It was just a little rough in the midrange, as in it pulled fine full throttle and at lower RPMS, but would feel a little rough at around 2500 rpms with the pedal down around 25-75%. Nothing crazy, just felt like it had more to give and was holding back a little and would do a small amount of surging. Kind of like holding back a dog that really wants to run but you won't let it. Make sense? Seems like a stretch that the engine block was cracked, so I might take it somewhere else to get them to look it over as well. I was hoping for some recommendations on here.

06-24-2022, 11:16 AM	#8
SuperPete Scooby Newbie Member#: 517987 Join Date: Aug 2020	My vote is on getting new OEM short block, Manly rods and pistons, king bearings and arp studs. This should give you long lasting engine capable of 500WHP safely. Start looking for good trusty shop to do this for you

06-24-2022, 12:06 PM	#10
wobbletop Scooby Specialist Member#: 11652 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontario, Canada Vehicle: '18 Focus RS Red '70 Porsche 914/6	I would guess that what is cracked is a ring land, but interested to hear what they say.