What have you done to your car today?

Installed 55W HID into the high beams of my Outback last night. Considering they are a very cheap $50 kit from China i am very happy with them. Awesome light output. Only drawback is from completely cold they take a bit to warm up to full brightness (~10 seconds).
 
Noticed white/grey smoke coming from my foz on the way home. Checked the dipstick and it barely read :cry:
I had topped it upto full 2000km ago.

Hope theres no damaged done now ive topped her back up.
 
taza said:
Noticed white/grey smoke coming from my foz on the way home. Checked the dipstick and it barely read :cry:
I had topped it upto full 2000km ago.
Hope theres no damaged done now ive topped her back up.
Click to expand...

If you have some on the stick then you probably caught it in time.
I usually top mine up (500ml - 1 lt) every 2000km.

Of course, the real question is 'why' is it burning oil?

Has puting the cylinder cleaner through it perhaps highlighted worn rings? (A wild guess on my part - even I don't listen to my guesses about things auto mechanical!)
 
Barry said:
If you have some on the stick then you probably caught it in time.
I usually top mine up (500ml - 1 lt) every 2000km.

Of course, the real question is 'why' is it burning oil?

Has puting the cylinder cleaner through it perhaps highlighted worn rings? (A wild guess on my part - even I don't listen to my guesses about things auto mechanical!)
Click to expand...

I know the spark plug gaskets and seal for the rocker covers are gone, have been for some time and need replacing so that could be it. Im really hopping not head gaskets but there is no other sign of that being an issue.

What kind of job is involved in replacing/repairing the rings? while I do or get done the gaskets and seals.

Taza
 
taza said:
I know the spark plug gaskets and seal for the rocker covers are gone, have been for some time and need replacing so that could be it. Im really hopping not head gaskets but there is no other sign of that being an issue.

What kind of job is involved in replacing/repairing the rings? while I do or get done the gaskets and seals.

Taza
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First things first, run a compression test, to see what that is like.

1/. If low, relative to standard /uneven compressions across the 4 cylinders / cylinder doesn't hold compression then it could be you have worn rings.

2/. In general terms, should you need to replace the head gaskets, you would be half way to removing the cylinders to replace the rings.

3/. Of course, if you rebuild the 'top' ends then you can potentially exacerbate any problem in the 'bottom' end!

All in all, a potential 'can of worms'.

In the first instance I'd be getting a trusted mechanic to have a look at it and give you some advice. However, if you are at the grey smoke stage, you might well be up for a re-build. ... :(
 
^ Thanks. I will take it to a mechanic. If she is on the way out looks like I will be putting her back to stock and selling her. Can't afford to do an engine rebuild or replace, especially with uni coming up soon.

Could it be just that the oil is low or unlikely? Becuase she seems to drive really well, best since ive owned her.

Taza
 
If oil is low and you had topped it up then the question is "why?"

Hopefully it is just burning a bit due to age / wear. If so, keep it topped up, perhaps run a slightly heavier oil - given that there is no issue in West Aussie of needing thinner oils in cold weather.

I use Penrite oil, because is made in Aus for Aus conditions and, in my experience, in my old VWs and XF Fords, I had less of a problem with oil loss.

Bottom line, other things being equal, if you keep the oil up to it, don't thrash it and are observant of smoke / noises etc, then it should probably get you through Uni, to a point where you can afford the $ to treat your 'baby' to a drive line make-over.

Remember, the difference between cars and women is that, if you do your best to treat them right, cars won't let you down. ... but I digress ... :rolleyes:
 
So you reckon I could possible get another 100,000km from the car if I keen an eye on they oil and treat the car with some respect and don't thrash her. I might do an oil change this afternoon as she is in need of one anyway.

Thanks Barry!
 
If the engine is gone, you can probably get another one from a wrecker in good nick for about a grand. It's hardly a few hours to swap subaru motors.
 
^ Im considering selling it, especially since 1st gears on the way too.

Remove my mods first though then get another another 1st gen and put them on.

Looking at this. Atleast this way i would get a subaxtreme bullbar and could drive it back during my 3 week christmas and new year break.
https://www.carsguide.com.au/search...icleType=1&pos=15&pr=D_20167539&nr=D_30894111

If I got 9k for mine I couldn't complain.

Taza
 
Collected the WRX from the tuners today. With the new turbo, I picked up another 20kw ATW. Compared to the old spec from 2010, the bigger turbo is spooling up earlier and then going on to deliver more power at the top- exactly what i wanted and seemingly proof that these new generation turbos are the way to go. The downside is that on the way home the car lost power and I suspect a blocked cat.
 
funny-pictures-cat-computer-popup.jpg
 
legacy of the ej22 lives on...

After many hours of bits & pieces I put the ej22 back together and runs like a champ...:lildevil:
This chump in an Acura wanted to race me after he heard me fire it up . Whilst getting petrol...lol..(.he had no idea what was lurking down under the hood..of my lifted hatchie..:twisted: )

Given it sounds like a rally car..:biggrin:

I did paint the intake Ford red ...so it looks like an sti ..
(lipstick on a pig!:raspberry:)

classicrally206.jpg


The motor got new rings /#4 piston, valve stem seals, gaskets..
 
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Barry said:
If you have some on the stick then you probably caught it in time.
I usually top mine up (500ml - 1 lt) every 2000km.

Of course, the real question is 'why' is it burning oil?

Has puting the cylinder cleaner through it perhaps highlighted worn rings? (A wild guess on my part - even I don't listen to my guesses about things auto mechanical!)
Click to expand...


Let me shed some light here..

Subaru engines bottom ends are good fore 300 thousand miles..
top ends suffer abit from being horizontally opposed and the valve stem seals go .
Given the stem seals weakness , burning of oil is a typical problem.
Note: when shifting gears a plume of blue smoke under load..

On average 150k is good on the heads.. Just keep an eye on the oil level..
New valve stem seals should solve your problem..

Cheers
 
scooby said:
On average 150k is good on the heads.. Just keep an eye on the oil level..
New valve stem seals should solve your problem..

Cheers
Click to expand...

Yeah I had it checked out this afternoon and its likely that its the valve seals. Might look at doing them but for now shes running. Seems heaps better after putting in thicker oil, just abit of condensation/water vapour out the back of the exhuast and the oil burning.

Taza
 
^ Is there another name for the valve stem seals/valve seals? Looking through my Haynes Subaru repair manual. Thinking of trying the stupid idea and doing them myself along with rocker cover gaskets. Cant seem to find the valve seals mentioned unless there another name. Its an american book so....

EDIT: Camshaft oil seals??? same thing?
 
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