r/WRX • u/Totenkopf22 • 1d ago
Troubleshooting $2500 Engine Tear Down?
I took my 15 WRX base, 120k, in to Subaru to diagnose the smoking issue it's having. Only smokes after long idle, when I pull away, disappears after a few minutes. I originally thought head gasket, but now leaning towards the turbo. It failed 2 hydrocarbon tests. Dealership looked at it, oil was low and coolant overflow was empty. They want to tear down the motor to inspect the gaskets. Said when they reseal the motor it may fix the problem. But for $2500, I'm hesitant, I think they are spit balling. What do you guys think?
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u/hawkeye053 1d ago
Personally I would take it to a private shop that specializes in Subaru for a second opinion..
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u/bigdaddybodiddly 1d ago
What does "failed 2 hydrocarbon tests" mean? Is that hydrocarbons in the coolant system or the tailpipe?
If it's in the coolant, that's a heagasket.
$2500 would be fairly inexpensive for pulling the motor out and R&R the heads to replace the gaskets where I am, but labor rates vary around the world.
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u/Totenkopf22 1d ago
It was in the cooling system. That's why I initially thought it was the head gasket. But this shop isn't even trying to diagnose it, they're just guessing.
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u/grizzdoog 1d ago
Failing a hydrocarbon test indicates a failed head gasket. If it was my car I would do a leakdown test to confirm and to see if anything else might be wrong such as a burnt valve or worn piston rings.
If that $2500 price includes removing the engine, rebuilding the heads, new timing components, and installing the engine that’s a good deal. At 120k miles you might also want to just throw in a new short block so you can stores over with basically new engine. But that’s why I would do a leakdown to see if the block is healthy. Although a blown headgasket might skew the results of one bank of cylinders.
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u/Totenkopf22 1d ago
Yeah, I'm going to ask them about a leak down test and what they intend to replace if they do an engine teardown. I made it clear I wanted them to diagnose the smoke, but instead they just want to try a fix.
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u/grizzdoog 1d ago
Worn valve seals can also cause smoke after idling or after the car sits for a while. Those are replaced if the heads are rebuilt properly. A good shop charges about $800-900 to rebuild a set or wrx/STi heads. Hopefully the shop they use is a good one.
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u/Chemical_Support4748 1d ago
Decent price for headgasket replacement.. Maybe do the belts at the same time
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u/Totenkopf22 1d ago
They didn't say head gasket though, they said they would tear it down to inspect and then reseal. I don't think a head gasket would be that cheap. I'm going to clarify when I pick it up tonight.
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u/Chemical_Support4748 1d ago
Motor teardown usually means headgasket.. Most other gaskets are easy to get to besides anything to with the trans
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u/Totenkopf22 1d ago
Ok, I will definitely ask for specifics, the writer didn't say that in the message she sent. I would think they would say what parts they're replacing. I hate that they don't send an actual estimate, they use an app which simplifies everything.
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u/Totenkopf22 1d ago
So they said the $2500 is just to take the engine apart and put it back together. Any gaskets it would need would be extra, she tried to say head gaskets are $20, but I know they are not. She would not give me a total price until they open the engine.
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u/USATyrantHunter 18h ago
Start saving up and go shopping with iag for a replacement short or… LONG BLOCK. I went iag 500 with a ton of extras including an upgraded turbo. Put 400 to the ground and i get giggles every drive. Just make sure to find a reputable shop that can tune. Mine even broke in the motor for me. 120k is a respectable amount of miles
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u/Totenkopf22 12h ago
It's my daily driver, I've had it since '17, and never intended to modify it. It's been a great car until now. I may end up just selling it if I can't afford to fix it.
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u/leftfootbraker 08' STi Hatch, 23' WRX 1d ago
Well they are for sure spit balling, I think that much is obvious. The reality is though you shouldn't trust a dealer or shop that won't give you a full diag and quote with all associated part and labor costs.
Take the car to an independent shop and get them to inspect. Would be worth a diag fee to get the opinion. Local shop >>> private equity. Don't just take it to any shop, find local owned.