Had a meeting with the area/regional Service Rep. and Service Manager today. Discussed my concerns about crackle/popping sound my engine makes when its being stressed (usually 4-5k rpms). I explained how I followed the proper break in proceedure and have been using 93 octane gas since day one.

They both told me this is the first they have heard of any problem with pinging or detonation in the STi. I shared information/reports from a variety of owners and tuners posting on internet forums. I suggested they take a ride to hear the sounds described and perhaps bring the Subaru Service Module to check timing advance/retrard and knock, they declined.

The Rep, an older guy named Bill, noted that many of the previous subaru models had similar problems related to timing. He told me that what I was hearing was not harmful to my engine and that I shouldn't worry about it.

He suggested that subaru will fix the problem only when enough people complain about it. I find it hard to believe that no one at Subaru has heard anything about this.

BOTTOM LINE --> EVERYONE NEEDS TO MAKE THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN TO SUBARU


The Rep said a reflash may be required, but nothing will happen until Subaru hears from enough people. Basically SOA gathers the complaints/reports, then FHI researches the problem and relays plan for fix back to SOA. The fix/flash will not be available "in the field " until model year 05 is out. They could however send your computer in for the reflash. Sounds like a long process already, but could be longer if the fix changes things much as the car may then need recertification by U.S. Gov., for emissions I guess.

My Service Manager filed a report with the Tech line and they called him back later in the day with case #. I have also called 1800 SUBARU3 and shared my concerns. They asked for the last 8 numbers of VIN so I believe they are filing or tracking this as well. I'll call them later to confirm.

A few other tidbits from the Rep.

1. "Don't mod your car"

2. "You can drive it hard but don't abuse it"

3. If you do your own oil changes, then use the subaru fiter and keep records/receipts.

4. He also mentioned that he had to deny a few claims on WRX transmission failures due to abuse.



Who else here has a STi with pinging/knock?

 

Is it right now confined to the states who have the crap 91 octane or is it outside of the west coast where this is occuring? I stopped reading threads about this when it was the topic of every other thread.

 

it does not matter what dealer you take it to as long as they report it to SOA.

 

Update

Talked with folks at 1800 SUBARU3 again, they continue to assure me that the car is not self destructing. They suggest I return to dealer to have someone actually ride along and listen to the pinging or whatever it is.

I've arranged to have the shop foreman listen to the car and check it out on Thursday 7/10. Apparently he wasn't there the day I met with the service manager and service rep.

Who has ping and what has been done so far by the dealership or Subaru?

Has anyones dealer actually performed any testing?

Have they even been trained yet on the STi?

p.s. I live in Durham, NC

 

ImprezaRSdriver,

I've used 93 octane since day one as stated in original post. Apparently my car needs 94 or higher, since it pings every time I drive it despite using the recommended fuel grade of 93.

The thought of having to home brew/ mix your own fuel to get a brand new car to run properly is completely unexceptable!



How do feel each time you have to mix your own, and how long do you plan to do this?

Would you recommend an STi to a family member or friend?

 

I just returned from dealership and meeting with the Shop Foreman. He hooked up the Select Monitor and we went for a long ride. I was easily able to induce the crackling/rattling sound under hard acceleration, mainly between 4-5K RPMs. The Shop Foreman agreed the sound was due to detonation and the monitor recorded the retarding of the timing (2-5.5 degrees). Each episode of detonation lasted less than 2 seconds, then resolved despite my continued acceleration.

He explained that the car is doing this by design, continually seeking max power and efficiency within the ever changing variables such as temp., hummidity, etc. The detonation is being compensated for by retarding the timing each time it occurs, apparently well before any damage is actually done. He said the use of higher octane gas will not prevent the computer from maximizing power to the point of detonation, followed by timing retard and resolution of the detonation.

I asked why some STi's have audible detonation and other don't. He suggested the variences between each car may account for that in some way. The example given was that there are slight difference in amount of compression, the electrical hardware may vary slightly in terms of performance etc. etc.

I was reassured that everything is working within specs and that I should not be concerned unless the detonation persisted beyond the initial 1-2 second of hard acceleration. If detonation becomes more pronounced then drive it gently and take into dealership.

So maybe all the STi's have brief episode of detonation, followed by resolution, secondary to timing variability. Perhaps not all the owners know what their listening for or it's just not audible. The Forman did say that the car is starting to adjust timing before the detonation becomes audible. Has anyone found timing retard, suggesting detonation without audible detonation. Apparently it should be there in all the STi's if the explainations above are accurate.

Does anyone have any more information to support this, ideally from an unbiased source? Any technical articles on benefits of tuning a car to point where you actually can induce brief episodes of detonation?

 

Pinging has nothing to be with quality of gas, as your mechanic mentioned...
great info sharing!

 

For what its worth the literature I recieved with the car says you can basicly get away with driving on 91 here in Caly. However 93 is recomended. Now since the car was destined for Calif. then I sure the guys back in Japan ran the car on 91 and 93 to see what the results would be. So I have my no-lead octane boost and will run this with every tank full even during break in. This way the ECU will be performing with the higher octane and won't need to relearn letter. Again look at what the literature says on the octane. This is why here in Calif. we run recalibrated ECU's with dyno runs...

 

Also, for those in the I.E. there is a 76 station on main in Norco north of Target that has 100. However it's $4.99gal, ouchhhh.. Oh, and octane does matter unless your going to remap the ECU. The ECU and ignition are key on the STi. With todays ignitions you don't always need to upgrade them but the ECU's yes. Spend the $ and have the ECU remapped since this is first off for the STi.... Problem solved, maybe. Then hopefully you can run 91 without a thought.

 

I was looking at Vishnu's website tonight[7/12] and saw his new dyno maps for the STI. He was "discouraged" to see the same pinging at the same RPM range that the author of this thread observed. Check it out. Sincerely, Collins