valves.

 

916 534 3874

 

Fixed?

 

couldn't agree more!!! give it one good knock and game over.

OP let us know what the problem is once u pull the engine. im also thinking valves, interference engine .. skip timing and you bend valves. you might still have a good block though.
time for valvetrain upgrade!

 

Subarus do not like oversized valves though, so be careful.

 

hmm i've never hard about that, can u point me to some articles about this?

i know that wrx heads have some issues with hairline cracks going from valve to valve or from valve to sparkplug

im assuming the bigger valves further weaken those areas .

 

I'm not a mechanical engineer so I can't draw it out or explain it very well.

But my lengthy experience in the time attack crowd has recommended not to run oversized valves on the Subaru because they'll do more harm than good.

LIC, GST, SpeedElement, Crawford, Apollo, Evasive, etc I think all are good sources to talk to if you need help.

Here's one article that talks about some issues going on in today's "built" scene
The Truth Behind The Subaru EJ-Series Engines - Tech-Knowledge - Import Tuner Magazine

 

haha i think i'm gonna keep everything stock... except for a gates timing belt kit. I figured i might as well do that while everything is apart since i'm about to turn 80k

 

Timing belt is done at 105k. I got my gates kit w/ water pump from Amazon for the cheapest price. Then I ordered the thermostat from fastwrx.com.

 

Oh! I thought it was 90k. I'll probably look at amazon, my work also sells gates parts so I'm gonna see where my better deal is at.

 

That cracking is from people over tightening their plugs.

 

Links to back up this statement?

 

I've heard this many times as well. A lot of it has to do with the machine shops not doing the seats properly and you'll end up having leaks or other problems down the line. I'm running stock sized valves myself just for peace of mind.

It's common knowledge. Call your local dealership or speed shop.

 

Ive never once heard that its related to over tightened spark plugs. I have on the other hand heard that the 02/03 heads in general are weaker casting/material/whatever you want to call it than the 04/05.

 

Did a leak down test yesterday and found that my #2 exhaust valve/valves are leaking. We were able to inflate a rubber glove from the exhaust tip. The exhaust cam gear was also the gear that the timing belt skipped on so this makes sense. What doesn't make sense is when I pulled the motor and then head, those exhaust valves look to be completely straight and it doesn't seem to have any dents or anything on the piston dome. We rOlled then on a flat surface and couldn't see them wobble as well as putting them on a drill. I mean all the tests say that these valves are bent but I just wish it was more obvious. I know they could be ever so slightly bent that it's not visible to the naked eye but it seems with all the noise it was making it would be a little more evident. So I might have my head sent out and get it pressure checked just to make sure nothing else is wrong.