Wrx Issues.

[benny bobo]

Hey Guys,

Lady at work is having issues with her wrx (2001 model i think).

Apparently feels like its gonna stall if you accelerate heavily from a stop (leaving a set of lights) and sometimes at idle.

She took it to Subaru and first they said the whole turbo needs replacing (quoted $4000!), she talked to a turbo guy and he is gonna rebuild the existing turbo (for about $600 i think she said).

But now they saying part of the turbo is in the cat and they're saying 3 weeks for the part. and the computer is displaying a Lean (fueling i guess) code.

Questions:

1. Do WRX's have ceramic turbines (and fallen apart like some skyline owners have experienced?)

2. would this explain the stalling issue? and the lean issue?

[benny bobo]

and now they are saying the dump pipe needs replacing...

if i had a wrx... i wouldn't take it to subaru, and thats for sure.

[GeeTR]

Sounds completely dodge to me. If part of the turbo was in the cat, would the car still accelerate "heavily" ?

Take it somewhere else for another opinion

[rb26s13]

and now they are saying the dump pipe needs replacing...

if i had a wrx... i wouldn't take it to subaru, and thats for sure.

i wouldnt either... but than again i live with the head mechanic from subaru in cairns here i ask him when he gets home wat he thinks

[msnismo]

I have a 97 wrx and not sure if they changed the design at all.... buuuut... the CAT is in the exhaust dump from factory...ours had already been replaced... its literally pull dump off punch cat out and replace it in the exhaust where most cars have one! Unless they want to retain the factory setup then there is no need to replace the dump. Just go to any exhaust shop and have them place one in the normal spot....

And i was under the impression that they did not have ceramic turbines????? Il check my workshop manual/parts database and get back to you...... mine already had a VF34 hi-flow BB on it so I wouldn't have a clue what was stock on it!

Although if they are saying that part of the turbo is in the exhaust then its a strong possibility....

EDIT - re fueling.... unless the cat it completely blocked which might cause boost issues - eg it melted and is blocking air flow... that one has me stumped.. maybe unrelated??? maybe the cause of turbo failure???

[TTT]

there are WRX forums.

2001 model rex (bug eye model) also has PRE CAT.

as in there is another Cat converter in the manifold from one sode of the engine to the other before it gets to the turbo.

$4000 for a TD04 is funny.

people have trouble selling them second hand for $200

I'd tell her to take it to a subaru specialist not a subaru dealer.

one drive in it and they would be able to tell what the problem is.

[Total Monkey Kaos]

Sounds like it could be the AFM (Air flow meter). When I first got my rex it stalled at idle. The AFM was replaced and ran a treat.

P.S - Might be worth having a poke around www.rexnet.com.au for all things WRX related

Cheers

Dave