jontexas
12-30-2013, 10:39 PM
There's no good running WRXs for less than about $8k around here, so I grabbed a running, tagged, one for 5k. I have ZERO experience working on cars, though my work on computers calls for an engineers discipline. The goal of this folly is to spend a few months going over this car, fixing all the issues as needed, and gathering tools and learning systems so on Dec 20, when my kit is scheduled, I'm not faced with an 818 kit, a crashed WRX and zero skills.
http://i.imgur.com/HOcQfOe.jpg
Vital Statistics
2004 WRX Blobeye Wagon
186,742 miles at purchase
San Remo Red
$5200 purchase price
Mechanical Issues Identified
Oil coating both sides of engine
Blocked / wet PCV hard lines (front of TMIC)
Cracked, hardened, oily hoses
Ripped CV boots
Worn rotors - replace
Worn pads - replace
Weak first gear syncros (same as every other old WRX I've driven)
Steering rack wet (from below UJ) with oil/PS fluid - seals?
Unknown rattle on letting off throttle - up-pipe cat fragmented, heat-shields?
Puked a bunch of oil out in the two days before I picked her up
Needs a timing belt, all pulleys - last change unknown though probably at 100k ish
Needs a water pump - recommended by Subaru on second timing belt change
Gearshift bushing are utterly shot - replace
Some knock identified - post MAF leaks? oil contamination from PCV system?
Good Points
No smoke from oil filler at idle, will do a proper compression check later
Engine runs and idles sweetly
No CELs - i.e. engine is not mis-firing or in limp mode, that said it's not really very happy
Turbo appears to boost ok though I tried to stay out of boost on the way home,
Made a 200 mile drive home without a hitch - no boost seems to equal no oil loss
All electrics appear functional except a few window switches (drivers panel works)
No bearing noises, clunks, groans
Aside from bushings, shifts better than my 2013
Coolant and oil are dirty, but don't appear to have mixed, so HG hopefully ok
Bonus set of almost new BRZ rims, albeit plast-dipped white (badly, thin coat)
AC works!
I'll update this thread sporadically, but if this helps anyone like me, who's new to getting oily, my NASIOC thread is http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2585291
I also have help from a significant number of local Subaru enthusiasts, and I plan on using outside services where appropriate, such as for a turbo rebuild, head skimming, tuning etc.
http://i.imgur.com/HOcQfOe.jpg
Vital Statistics
2004 WRX Blobeye Wagon
186,742 miles at purchase
San Remo Red
$5200 purchase price
Mechanical Issues Identified
Oil coating both sides of engine
Blocked / wet PCV hard lines (front of TMIC)
Cracked, hardened, oily hoses
Ripped CV boots
Worn rotors - replace
Worn pads - replace
Weak first gear syncros (same as every other old WRX I've driven)
Steering rack wet (from below UJ) with oil/PS fluid - seals?
Unknown rattle on letting off throttle - up-pipe cat fragmented, heat-shields?
Puked a bunch of oil out in the two days before I picked her up
Needs a timing belt, all pulleys - last change unknown though probably at 100k ish
Needs a water pump - recommended by Subaru on second timing belt change
Gearshift bushing are utterly shot - replace
Some knock identified - post MAF leaks? oil contamination from PCV system?
Good Points
No smoke from oil filler at idle, will do a proper compression check later
Engine runs and idles sweetly
No CELs - i.e. engine is not mis-firing or in limp mode, that said it's not really very happy
Turbo appears to boost ok though I tried to stay out of boost on the way home,
Made a 200 mile drive home without a hitch - no boost seems to equal no oil loss
All electrics appear functional except a few window switches (drivers panel works)
No bearing noises, clunks, groans
Aside from bushings, shifts better than my 2013
Coolant and oil are dirty, but don't appear to have mixed, so HG hopefully ok
Bonus set of almost new BRZ rims, albeit plast-dipped white (badly, thin coat)
AC works!
I'll update this thread sporadically, but if this helps anyone like me, who's new to getting oily, my NASIOC thread is http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2585291
I also have help from a significant number of local Subaru enthusiasts, and I plan on using outside services where appropriate, such as for a turbo rebuild, head skimming, tuning etc.