STi spun bearing, AVCS questions inside.

[ihadmail]

48 miles, thats how long it took to spin a bearing in my fresh build.

Now on to the question:

Have any of you that spun a bearing in your STi had issues out of the AVCS after rebuilding? Did you reuse all of the AVCS solenoids and cam gears or replace them?

I'm worried about bearing material being trapped in there and toasting another engine. I know I need to replace the cooler, and the oil pump (suspected culprit for my loss of pressure) will be replaced also.

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[25rsti]

fresh build? total rebuild (aftermarket) or refreshened (oem parts)? reason for fresh build? did you replace the oil cooler and oil/water pumps?

[evoeater1]

Hey dude, funny you ask about debris filled avcs gears. Ive experienced this first hand and ive got to tell you if you dont take apart the gears and clean them you will sieze up a camshaft. I did!!!!!!! First engine spun #3 rod bearing, rebuilt it new oil cooler and pump. Ran engine for about 10 mins and boom!! Siezed left intake cam up broke timing belt and right exhaust cam gear. Found lots of bearing material in avcs gears so i cleaned them reinstalled after extensive headwork (4 bent valve and scored up cam journals) Cleaned my new oil cooler and pump ran for about another 10 mins and siezed left intake cam due to trash still being in new oil cooler. Long story short , clean every part that has oil in it after spinning any bearing. My mistake cost me a lot of work and about $3500.00. What a b****!!!!!!!!!!!

[evoeater1]

If in doubt, replace almost everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spun bearings are like the frikin plauge !!

[ihadmail]

Guess the car will be sitting a few months again while I replenish my funds.

[juanmedina]

sorry dude, good luck with everything

[ihadmail]

Originally Posted by juanmedina

sorry dude, good luck with everything

Thanks. Is yours all good to go again?

[bertune]

You guys not running the filter before the avcs solenoid?

[riderdude125]

I've re-built quite a few engines, that spun bearings, now and havent had any failures to date. It sucks to hear this stuff cause i hope i never happens to me.

My rule is I always replace oil cooler, oil pump, pickup tube, and avcs solinoids. These all have major potental to hide old metal shavings. I clean the crap out of the pan and gears. I also remove all the lines and clean them, and replace the screens in the bajo fittings, but remove them after break-in period.

[ihadmail]

Originally Posted by bertune

You guys not running the filter before the avcs solenoid?

No I removed the screens

[juanmedina]

Originally Posted by ihadmail

Thanks. Is yours all good to go again?

Its been running like a champ, didn't u see my latest thread?
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ght=juanmedina

I trapped 121mph with a VF39 .

Anyway in my opinion the simple the built the better it is, drop-in pistons under 500whp FTW

Good luck

[robbieshonda]

I have heard of a few other issues from avcs cam gears that didnt get cleaned prior to reassembley. Cam gears staying advanced ect, causing avcs timing issues.

[bertune]

I must be really lucky, as i too have built quite a few subie motors and i've never cleaned the avcs gears or solenoids any more than just blow some air on them, but then i've never removed the filters. I will definately look out for this in the future.
Roberto

[cha86]

Originally Posted by ihadmail

48 miles, thats how long it took to spin a bearing in my fresh build.

Now on to the question:

Have any of you that spun a bearing in your STi had issues out of the AVCS after rebuilding? Did you reuse all of the AVCS solenoids and cam gears or replace them?

I'm worried about bearing material being trapped in there and toasting another engine. I know I need to replace the cooler, and the oil pump (suspected culprit for my loss of pressure) will be replaced also.

yes take it all apart, and clean. it will take you 20 minutes and this will be an extra precationary step so you dont suck more junk up. just spray the **** out of it with brake clean, re-RTV it and good to go. i didnt find to much crap in mine...but why EVEN risk it?

[mick_the_ginge]

Any idea why the bearing spun? 48 miles = something wrong in the build. What bearings did you use? what was the clearances used?

You mention the oil pump and a loss of pressure, did this fail and the result was a spun bearing or do you think the bearing spun and due to the increased oil flow you saw a drop in pressure?

AVCS solenoids/gears are easy to clean. pull out the solenoid, take the cover plate off where the solenoid attach to the heads. Easy clean. AVCS cam gears are also easy to take apart and clean out. Don't forget to clean the cam oil holes as well.

Replace oil cooler for definate. Oil pump can be split and inspected but they usually get scored up after a bearing spin. CHECK the pressure relief plunger on the pump to see if it is stuck. Also check the oil pickup for damage.

[ihadmail]

Head gasket issues due to following the ARP head stud install instructions. Stock head gaskets.

Looks like almost everything is trash.

I used ALC race with .0026ish clearance. Seems the pressure failed due to the bearing(s) going. I'm waiting on a set of AVCS cam gear tools so I don't have to ruin my brand new timing belt to pull the heads.

The plunger on the oil pump was fine, but it's still getting replaced. The pickup is dirty but in good condition, it's a KillerB ultimate pickup. I have a new cooler, avcs cam gears and solenoids on the way already. Using ACL standard size bearigns this time instead of the +.001 oil clearance bearings. Probably picking up a block, crank and rings this week. I still have a spare set of STi rods.

Mick could you give me a very detailed install instructions for how YOU install the ARP studs, or do you still use the OEM bolts?

[mick_the_ginge]

Originally Posted by ihadmail

Mick could you give me a very detailed install instructions for how YOU install the ARP studs, or do you still use the OEM bolts?

I always use ARP's

I just tighten them in 3-4 steps in the same orientation as stock. Snug them down then 25 ftlbs, 55 ftlbs, 85 ftlbs done.

[ihadmail]

That's exactly what I did. Thanks for the help.


I may be going back to the OEM bolts this time. I can't afford this and will definitely not be able to get the cash to do it again.

[CatfaceType-R]

^^sorry for the misfortune man, I know the feeling.

[cha86]

Originally Posted by ihadmail

That's exactly what I did. Thanks for the help.


I may be going back to the OEM bolts this time. I can't afford this and will definitely not be able to get the cash to do it again.

dont. oem are a 1 use bolt. you can RE-use the arps

[subSTIaru]

you can use arp's more than three time i have re used them many times over i probably build over a 100 subaru motors

millennium auto engine builder

aleks