Advice on 2001 sti problem
 

Hi guys. I'd really appreciate a some advice/ opinions with a little problem.

Heres the story... a couple of months ago i bought a 2001 wrx sti. Looks really neat , 148000 km and seemed to drive smooth etc etc. I paid 13 grand. (Alot i know but i didnt want to go cheap and get a lemon)

The logbook only went to 70 000 km so i took it to subaru to get serviced. They recommended a major including timing belt as there was no record of it being done at 100 000. Plus new pulleys plus gaskets on rocker covers and sump.. total came to $3080.

Needless to say i was pretty cut. But let them get on with it.

After the service i noticed a ticking sound commig from the engine bay so i took it back in and they (after looking at for mabey 15 min) said it was "lower end" and id be up for a new block or mabey a 2nd hand motor.

So thats 16 grand spent plus this balls up.

I will get it to another mechanic for a second opinion , was thinking tokyo motorsport.

Anyway what would you guys do in my shoes?

New ej207 short block, gasket kit and be done with it. I think that will be your cheapest option unless you find a used motor, but that has its own risks.

Didn't you ask the previous owner if the major service was done
try taking it to S technic.

Take the car for a second opinion at a local workshop and go from there. I personally use stechnic and am very happy, but most of the shops found in the thread below have a reputation for good work.

[URL="http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/mechanicals/6775-perth-workshops.html"]http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/mechanicals/6775-perth-workshops.html[/URL]

Tokyo have only recently started doing subaru stuff, so they aren't listed in that thread, but a few guys on here appear very happy with the work they've had carried out there, so that shouldn't put you off.

Whatever the case don't take it back to the dealer, they are well known for taking the piss when it comes to pricing and most independent specialists know more about these cars anyway.

Hope it's not as bad as what it seems.

Take to Stechnic, stay away from dealerships.

+1 for STechnic

Thanks for the replies guys.
Il call s technic tomorrow.

The previous owner only put 10 000 on it, or so he claims, and i think he was only the 2nd owner. So who knows. The timing belt may have been done at 100 000.

Deffinetly wont be going back to subaru for anything.

For a start $3080 for timing belt and service is a crock...It should be about 1/2 that! I would be asking them to justify the cost and give you a part refund...and tell you why they didn't pick up the ticking sound.
As stated S-Technic or Maximum Motorsport will give good advice.

Yeah they qouted me something around 2000, then they said pylleys are noisey and it will save on labour to do them now while the timing belt is being done, and all this other stuff they say they found.
The biggest extra was the rocker and sump gaskets. The parts were like 20 bucks a pop but labour was alot. That while thing alone came to 600 bucks.

Iv called s technic so il take them the subaru paperwork and im hopeing they can gloss over it and see if subaru did a shonkey job in anything they did while they do whatever needs to be done.

I think (and subaru service manager said) the knock was not present at the time of the service, so if they stuffed up the timing they should be liable.

So its a big end bearing thats gone, cars with s technic now. Its going to be big bucks but such is life.

The guy at s technic was very helpful and spend time exolaining it all to me and showing me with parts in his workshop. Top bloke.

Thanks to all you guys for your advice. Much appretiated.