I have always done all my own engine rebuilds and would never replace pistons (or even just rings) on a subset of the cylinders. But that might just be me being anal.

It's very possible that you did not do the initial damage to the motor. A fleet vehicle could have been abused by who-knows-who. When you are leasing a vehicle you tend to not give a crap. Maybe your 3rd/4th gear pulls were just the thing that pushed it over the edge due to previous damage.

-Craig

 

yeah My thoughts exactly. A lease or corporate car what ever it's life was. It was probably rough

 

its a bummer to hear that especially with low miles and im currently looking for a brand new one...

 

Is there an option for you to pay the difference to have the other 2 pistons replaced?

 

IDK if thats an option.. Didn't think about it to be honest. Id prefer to just have them do a new short block. But hey its under warranty still so she better run like a champ.

Will I have to break it in like a new motor again?

 

Nothing like half of a repair job...man that sucks! Not sure I'd settle for that.

 

Think of all the cr@p those pistons etc. thrashed around your engine. IMO, replace.

 

If I were you, I'd ask if they would install forged pistons for you if you brought them in....

 

I doubt they'd warranty aftermarket pistons and Im trying to buy a house so don't have the extra funds laying around to buy new pistons etc..

 

i Know. I mentioned it he said well it's all under warranty so well make sure it's running like new no matter what. So If i experience any kind of hesitation or smoke or anything out of the norm its going back..

 

I would contact SOA customer support. Usually to make you feel all warm and fuzzy they offer to upgrade your factory warranty and some change for your trouble. Your Mileage May Vary. Doesn't hurt to let them know about your situation.

http://www.subaru.com/customer-support.html

 

I'd want a complete rebuilt bottom end, that thing was probably beat to hell, with 87 octane gas as a "fleet vehicle". Pistons should be replaced as a matched set, in this case all 4 new.

 

You know when you wake up early and decide to back to sleep because it's too early to get up and that causes you to have bad dreams? This sounds exactly like the start of those bad dreams.

 

thanks for your input guys. I will for sure reach out to SOA.

 

What is the benefit of installing an Access Port, but run the stock map?

 

He isn't running the factory stock unmolested map though. As soon as you hook up the AP you are essentially hacking into the ECU. While it's running stock mapping settings it's still molested code. The only benefit is getting real time logging of say knock events. You can get real time output of data for say IAT, boost, coolant temp, etc with a plug in module that hooks to the ECU and ties in with an app on your phone but leaves the ECU code alone.

 

As a new AP owner, I am glad to see they are still covering you! I know it sucks they are only doing the two pistons but hey, they are paying for it and it was modded (slightly). Take what you can get and IMO, buy new next time. I would have to get a kiiiiiiilllller deal to buy a 1 year old STI, they dont usually depreciate that much and new is only a few $K more.. and worth it IMO. Sorry about your troubles OP.

 

It did have the Cobb AP installed but running the stock map. I was planning to just do some data logging and get a pro-tune eventually. So the dealer initially gave me lip for having installed the ap because THEY CAN TELL!!! lol.

That's good to hear that the dealership is covering the repair under warranty, especially after the fact that the Cobb Accessport was installed. How did the dealership know you had the Cobb Accessport previously installed?

 

A Subaru sales guy told me once that he automatically assumes every STi has been modded and has had an AP installed. This is not too far from the truth.

 

"Fleet Vehicle" is code for rental/lease/corporate/mag or video review mule.

Relevant: Guy Buys BMW With Problems, Finds Out It Was Hooned On Top Gear

 

HAHA nice find. Although Id want a replacement M3 in that case. Im pretty sure it was either a lease or corporate car. Either was it was probably driven hard. Which I'm ok with. I bought it with intent to drive it hard as I do all my cars. I just didn't think it'd be this weak.

Just want my car back lol. going on 3 weeks with this loaner that has stickers all over it and just plain sucks lol..

 

excellent they are replacing under warranty, good to hear! As for what happened...even a hard life up to 12k miles shouldn't cause a failure unless something was wrong going in. During development these motors are run for hundreds of hours at WOT to prove durability. I could picture a fleet car getting 87 octane and that could do it... My '04 STI was driven hard in autox events, 10 yrs and no problems (but was well maintained). Hoping same for my '15!

 

@ a2dadamm: Still curious...but how did the dealership know you had the Cobb Accessport previously installed?

 

they can tell the ecu had been flashed. its not undetectable as some state.

 

Given that it's easily and well within the state of current technology for them to tell if the ECU has been flashed at all (regardless if flashed back to stock), I think anyone assuming that they couldn't at this point was deluding themselves.

As always, best option is to be sure you can afford a new motor before modding, and if you experience a failure be polite and up front with your dealer about why you think it should be covered regardless of modifications and they might surprise you and cover it. If not, well then you already were smart and made sure you could cover the repair before you started modding. :tup:

 

I really have no worries about being stage 1 and the dealer fixing issues. Could be a problem, doubt it.

As far as stage 2 and 3? Then it gets pretty iffy, but still possible that they cover you.

Stage 3 here I come.

 

Yeah stage 4 would be pushing your luck. Don't even think about stage 5.

 

I would trust the stock tune and any of the off the shelf cobb tunes. They have both been extensively tested for years now. People have problems when they start to mix and match performance parts on the stock tune, or with the cobb tunes they use parts that were'nt tested by cobb when they tuned the maps and end up overboosting and or running too rich too lean etc etc. and just generally operating the engine beyond what it was designed for like using the wrong octane. The stock STI tunes are engineered for 93+ octane fuel.

 

The knock sensor works fine. If you have issues with knock and timing you should take a serious look at the quality of fuel you use. As I said, my dealer haven't seen a cracked ringland in years.

I have seen so many bad aftermarket tunes over the years that I just don't trust off the shelf tunes. Yet on the STi forums people behave like it's a guarantee that your car will break because Subaru uses a bad tune. I don't buy it...

I feel this is becoming a thread hijack now so I will stay out of this one.

 

Factory tune known for being lean. Cobb OTS tune known for being rich. Pick your poison.

 

After my issues Iwill remain stock. (Engine Wise) Until after I buy my house and I know I have a disposable 5K to replace my motor if I needed to. Im not blaming Cobb for my issue at all.

BTW Selling the stage 1 kit if anyone is interested lol.. Collecting dust now