Well I made a mistake. I didn't buy my WRX locally. Last night (Friday 9/11) I took the 10pm flight to Chicago and bought a WRX. I drove it home right away, so I know any problems it has can't be THAT bad. BUT it has some issues. SO... I'm looking for some local help. I of course will be happy to pay cash moneys for the work. bought 2002 WRX White. Mods: These are the ones that I know of? could be more? Full TBE CAI BOV Big upgrade TMIC VERY nice Passport boost, oil temp, water temp gauges with peak memory hood struts HIDS Integrated radar detector Viper alarm (not installed well) Spray painted (not well) gold stock rims Stickers/vinyl galor A pretty nice CF roof spoiler (like the stock 05-07 STI's have) It looks goofy to me, but its a nice piece that I might have to sell STI wing Access Port (not installed, looks new) Momo shift knob with I'm guessing short shifter The PROBLEMS: HIDs look they were installed in 30 seconds. broke as hell. The drivers door key hole wont turn BIG ONE: looks to be a coolant leak, probly small Access Port needs install (I know nothing about them) Side skirts need re-install (the guy took the off to "paint them". I dont know) Anyway this is what I've found so far. The car was cheap, so I'm OK with that. SAY HELLO!
Hello, welcome. Where is the coolant leaking from? So the car is running CAI, TBE, and large intercooler with out a tune at the moment? Did the guy divorce the COBB AP before he sold it to you? it seems strange that he would have all those mods and an AP but not run a tune? Did he tell you the AP needed to be installed? The rest of the stuff is easy.
Noticed a little coolant on the garage floor this after noon. Haven't really looked too closely. Added more to the overflow tank. I'm going to monitor it to see. The coolant on the floor was at the drivers front on the car below the bumper. The AP does not appear to have been used, but I'll have to look closer. He "claims" that he just got it. BUT like other claims he made I'm not sure what the truth is. I sent him an email for him to come clean on everything he knows, since I like the car I don't really care about most of the issues. I know the rest is easy, but I'm the opposite of a mechanic. I had my Mazdaspeed protege for 6 years, so over that time I was able to pick up a lot of info. I've WANTED a wrx for 6 years, but I don't really know much about them. Thanks for any help. I want to keep this car for a LONG time, so I just want to clean it up.
Welcome to the boards! As for your issues, I wouldn't be of much help, but there's plenty of guru's on here that can help you out. You came to the right place!
The Access PORT says it is an "AE-wrx-PORT-02" 2002-2003 wrx full for use with north american subaru ecu's only. Says COBB on the CD. has all components. looks like it is for 2002-2005 wrx. Appears to be in new/very good condition in original shipment box. If it was used, I don't think this guy used it because it is too clean. ALSO: he said that an axel "boot" was torn and was leaking grease. He gave me another axel, but I don't know if it is used or new. I'm guessing its used. It was in the trunk.
1. plug the accessport into the OBD2 port and see what it reads... (read instructions).. it should walk you through seeing if it is 'married' (which means used to put a tuning map form handheld to ecu) for that car... cant rememebr exactly what it would say so read teh manual.. 2. Lift the front end and check your Radiator hose clamps... they tend to leak with the factory ****TY clamps.. if they are replace them with a better style... also check around thermostat (follow the hose to the motor).. if none of this is the source you may have a cracked end-tank... 3. Sideskirts should clip on with some pushing as long as the clips in the holes werent busted up /snapped on removal... you may need fresh clips 4. spray some wd40 in the keyhole... see if that works.. if not.. you have a fob 5. HID's are broke?? do they work or not.. if not you may be better off (if someone else cant figure it out) buying another set from apexicone and calling it a day.. inexpensive and freakin amazing also welcome and congrats
maybe you shouldve bought that 'LEMON' locally you were looking at .. oh well this stuff happens... could be a lot worse with that much of a rash/quick buying decision
prolly a cracked end tank as stated...if you replace the radiator deff upgrade...the stock 02 radiators are crap..welcome btw..
Get rid of the CAI and BOV immediately (or at minimum, do some research and ensure the CAI is stock sized) and replace with stock parts. Plug in the AP and ensure it is "married." Otherwise, I'd also recommend a custom tune.
Stock is the way to go unless your getting really crazy but from the looks of your mod list you dont need anything more than a stock intake and bov. Maybe get a panal filter and a silencer delete if you want to hear your stock bov.
Your car is MAF based, which means it is very picky regarding the size and bends of the intake around the MAFv sensor. There are a few intakes that are OK for Subaru's, but they are few and far between. Your car also has a By-pass valve stock. This means that all air between shifts is reinserted back in to the system. As a result, fully atmospheric BOV's can frequently cause hesitation and rich afterfire issues between shifts. Yes, especially if you don't know which parts are on the car currently, I'd recommend you replace them with stock parts.
Right now I need someone to look at the car and say..."yep, that's f*&&ed, you should probly replace ____." ect, ect. I'm going to try to get to the South MNSC meet tomorrow and see if anyone there knows Subis.
Hood struts? Nice. I'd keep them for sure. Really. I also like a tasteful bit of vinyl but not galore. Two words - heat gun. You can get a stock replacement radiator for just over a hundred. Stupid plastic/metal combo ones leak with age and the knock off replacements are craptastic, I went through two. I would replace the two hoses and the clamps but that is me. Has the timing belt been replaced? I do know someone in Stillwater that has done some work for me. I'm not sure where you are at. Welcome! Good luck.
I was thinking about the Mishimoto? radiator, its stock replacement style for $250, also replace the hoses etc???? Sound reasonable? Also who are the Subi tuner shops in the Metro. I heard that MAP, who was my old shop of choice, is not really the place for Subi's
I have heard rumors that this bullwinkle character is pretty good at open source tuning. He tuned mine and I'm happy. I have no experience with any of the local shops. RS Motors and MAP are mentioned here the most.
RS Motors = Ron or Bikerboy for tuning and wrenching Legacypgt = wrenching Tonka Brothers = Drfitin240 & Subytek (both Subaru technicians at Minnetonka) these would be the top of my list of guys I would let touch my car... and BUllwinkle for tuning... once I get some spare $$$ I will be having him tweak mine and I have a Vishnu Tuned Ecutek flashed Ecu or something already...
so I found the leak in the radiator and was thinking about this replacement. http://www.maperformance.com/mishimoto-aluminum-radiator-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-2001-2007-mmrad-wrx-01.html mishimoto stock style replacement radiator $250. Anyone heard of it? Good/bad idea? What do you think.
