gabedude banned at NASIOC

gabedude · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:17 pm

SubaruGenuineParts has verified that the part number listed for the 07 STI exhaust valve is the same 06 STI sodium filled exhaust valve. We all know Subaru did not put sodium filled exhaust valves in these heads in 2007. They are not supplying the replacement part either. So I am stuck with replacing them all.

I have the engine out, had to order a new valvespring compressor as mine will not get into the recess to push the valves correctly (C-Clamp style compressor).

I am going to go ahead and replace all of the exhaust valves and inspect the guides along with the seals on both sides.

Results of dry (engine had oil in it, but was cold using a cheap tester) compression:

120, 120, 120, 120

Leakdown was all within normal range on all 4 (again, cheap tester but I can tell all cylinders hold pressure, oil is leaking from the valves into the chamber, so the guide has to be trashed somewhat).

I thought of just replacing the seals (without removing the head) and praying for the best, but I do not want to pull it again. Mine as well do it right. So the big Q is, do I go with stock 06 exhaust valves or some Iconel Ferrea valves?

BTW, this is the valvespring compressor you need (OTC 4572) unless you want to use the crappy OEM one instead...

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-OTC4572-Large ... B000F5ECUY

I found it cheaper on ebay.

I have more pics, they are at home.

-Gabe

Exodus751 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:47 pm

hope this works i would love to go help u if i was texas but little too far away

dave_mackinnon · **Joined:** Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:29 pm **Posts:** 13

hey Gabe, how are you making out with the repairs?

gabedude · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:58 pm

I need motivation. I bought Grand theft auto 4 and have been addicted to it along with spending time with my family. Since we only need one car, I have been lazy about it. The engine is on a stand, I have the valvespring compressor now too. Also, my wife bought me the new Defi Red Racer boost gauge, so all my gauges match now. After the cold compression showed 120 PSI on all 4 and the leakdown passed I am betting it is an intake valvestem seal or guide that worked it's way down, popping off the seal. I'll probably do it tonight. I have been posting today cause I finally had a bit of lag time at work (I have been busy at work). I am trying to get motivated.

Weston.Jarrell · **Joined:** Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:31 am **Posts:** 5

Gabe,

Get to work on your car! I want to be able to see this beast before I come home let alone move! Also I was wondering if you had any good books, or sites for tuning... Since Im moving to carson I need to suck up as much info as I can because Im prob going to need to tune my car from now on...

Another tid bit... Im getting my APS Dr525, Turbo Inlet, wb02, GM BCS and a Spec C mani for my car by the time I get home... So I think beer and steaks will be coming your way!

Anyways hit me up at wjarrell@gmail.com with info if you can with any info...

Btw 120 degree heat sucks balls

gabedude · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:45 am

Best site for learning how to tune is probably this one. Otherwise there are several tuning theory books on Amazon.com. It is best to first understand how the mechanics of an engine works (simply, it is an air pump). Knowing history about the development and advancements over the years helps as well. Today's modern EFI engines are not so much different than engines from 50 years ago. What is new is fuel injection and computer control systems. There is a ton of information on the web about engines. I think I learned the most (seriously) when I was 10 or 11 building/working on lawnmower (4 stroke) and model airplane (2 stroke) engines. Cars just have bigger ones with more pistons. Tuning them is much the same, but you have some extra dimensions is all. People seem to think it some black art. That is just not the case. Anyway, I guess Jeff Hartman made a good book. I read it, but I can't say it tought me much that I did not know already. There was some stuff that was just off too for Subaru engines specifically (like optimum AFR). I can tell you one thing though. A Briggs and Stratton 2.5HP lawnmower engine can take a really lean mixture and put out a ton more power reliably than you would think. I used that lawnmower for over 5 years. I don't know what happened to it after I stopped taking care of it and mowing my grandma and mom's lawn (2 acres). They ended up just buying new mowers if an air filter needed cleaning or a sparkplug went out, etc. Of course the mower had a toggle switch to turn on and off, some other mods, it was not a mower you would want your mom using. It would chop through stumps as well. I sheared several flywheel keys lol.

dave_mackinnon · **Joined:** Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:29 pm **Posts:** 13

Hmm.. would be neat to see a wide-band and data logging installed on a lawnmower...

...and this area is where I cut through a tree stump... oh, and this one was a tennis ball. See how short it is? We can't find the ball....

gabedude · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 pm

dave_mackinnon wrote:

Hmm.. would be neat to see a wide-band and data logging installed on a lawnmower...

...and this area is where I cut through a tree stump... oh, and this one was a tennis ball. See how short it is? We can't find the ball....

LOL. I thought lawnmowers were so cool back then. Then I turned 16 (16 years ago, ouch). Have you guys seen this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omO_NlizEPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAGz4i2_ ... re=related

This one is great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL1tA8FX ... re=related

dave_mackinnon · **Joined:** Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:29 pm **Posts:** 13

Oh the wrongedness of it all... :mrgreen:

gabedude · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:31 pm

I finally got my engine nearly torn down yesterday. The exhaust valves are covered in oil, except around the shaft on #3. None of the guides have moved. The piston tops look brand new; the ceramic coating is all still there. #1 actually had more breakin going on and had some metal flakes that were being pushed up into the C-chamber. The oil did have a good bit of gasoline and exhaust contamination in it for just idling and revving for 40-45 minutes. So it is time to just do it right. I will rebuild the P-side head first, pull the other head, rebuild it, then pull piston #3 and check the oil control ring and the other rings (I have 3 extra sets). I am bound to find some problem. Odd thing was that #1 had more soot and crap in it than #3. I bet I screwed up on a ring gap and one of the rings is cracked in #3 is all (or the oil control ring failed). In any case (since I have all of the tools now) I will at least clean and re-lap the valves and put new valvestem seals on them.

It took my wife and I three whole hours to tear down the engine (heads removed, etc). Not bad.

gabedude · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:27 pm

Finally pulled the piston. The valves were fine, seals were fine and the guides are in great shape. Looked like valves with 10k on them (brand new basically, just had some burnt oil on them).

I'll post pics in a bit (so you guys can guess) but I feel so dumb (but relieved) that what I did caused it and the fix is nearly free.

Hint: It has to do with the piston.

NSFW · **Joined:** Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:23 pm **Posts:** 397

Piston installed upside-down?

gabedude · **Posted:** Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:25 am

Top of piston was fine.

Hmm, oil control ring fine.

Top comp ring fine.

...
..
.
Yeah that was dumb. Easy to fix though.

gabedude · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:46 am

More work done last night:

Head is fine and almost back together. Look at those seals; those are stock seals.

Piston is back in (double checked that the rings were installed the correct way.

Did I tell you my wife works with me (just got the engine back up on the stand)?

Coming together:

One head left!

ev8siv3 · **Joined:** Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:14 pm **Posts:** 671

Give me a call if you need some more help, I'm right down the street! Looking very good!

RomRaider

gabedude banned at NASIOC

Who is online