runrabbit

new short block - and a rather large dent in my wallet. :

had a chat to the mechanic today. to recon/rebuild - worst case $8500 second hand motor $5500 purchased car for 10.5k what can u sell a non-working rex for ?? :'(

It is my daily drive. Tho she only really goes out in the wknds. So have given the go-ahead to pull out the motor and have a look to see if its fixable. reconditioned/rebuilt warranty is 12mths - 20000km from where I'm getting done. second hand motors they said were guaranteed for only 31 days!!! will know just wait for the verdict and the growing invoice.

Righty - the engine is locked solid on my 98 wrx. What are the pros/cons of a recondition vs a 2nd hand eng? :-\ I'm leaning towards the recon just so I can know the cause of the failure. There's no external indications. And although reconditioning is slightly more expensive, at least i'd know where the engine has been/come from. The mechanics are suggesting around 5.5k. Ouch. Other option is to sell as non-working car. But doubt i'd get much from that. Have also searched online, and pple suggest a forged rebuild is almost the same as an OEM one?? But I might try to keep the cost down. Anyhoo ... thoughts on reconditioning?

ha - cambelt hadn't been done yet - car just shy of 110km. Just towed it to the mechanics and they think it could be cambelt at first guess? Anyone know the approx cost? Guessing it depends on any other damage that occured at the time.

Cheers for the replies. Dash lights are all good when trying to turn it over. Radio still goes. Etc. Its like the starter is jammed, or the engine is seized - eek. Maybe the alarm was a red herring, but she's definitely not a happy motor car. Cheers Old Wert for the alarm type. Will try tapping the starter, as I've heard of that before. But should it have destroyed itself whilst driving?? I think it'll have to be towed to the mechanics tomorrow.

Had the negative terminal off all night (to reset ecu). This morning it all most ticked over once. But no joy. Now just sits there ticking when trying to start. Almost like a flat battery - but all other electrics are going. Images of alarm here. http://img146.imageshack.us/i/dscf0706l.jpg/ http://img62.imageshack.us/i/dscf0704i.jpg/

Bulls - Manawatu

My 98 wrx has packed a sad. Had been driving along fine, then she came to a grinding holt this morning. ie she wanted to stop, and slowly did. When the key is turned on all the dash light come on. The airbag light does its thing. (so assuming battery all good etc) But when I go to start it, the start motor wants to go but nothing happens. Like it locks up. So i'm think immobiliser. The alarm makes a funny noise (not a normal alarm chirp but a low battery powered 'hoot'). Which makes me think its the immobiliser thats stuck on. I don't know the brand of alarm, and its all black wiring. Tho there are mongoose stickers on the windows - so its a good bet. Tho the images of mongoose alarms on the net don't have the same siren or remotes... so it could be anything really. Is there some way to disconnect, reset or ???? the immobiliser. Not entirely sure the alarm is the actual probably, but the fact it still unlocks/locks the door, ie operating as normal, and is making the funny hoot noise when i want to start the car - it my first option to fix. Any one got any ideas??

This should be a direct bolt on right? I have a '98 gc8 - and trying to install a (real or fake) sti front strut brace. Problem is the holes in the brace (where the bolts go thru, 3 on each end) are bigger than the factory nuts. This doesn't seem right. Its as if it needs washers to cover the difference before the nuts go back on. Otherwise the brace can just slide up over them. Is this the norm? Strut was purchased of trademe and came with no additional parts (ie larger nuts). I'm assuming solution is either add washers with diameter larger than brace holes, or finding larger nuts. Ideas??

For sure, i will be doing it myself. There was a bit of banter in his voice, but when u're asking effectively for a quote - if he's going to come back with 6hrs, then he's just lost himself a job. cheers for the replies and advice.

Got some NGK's for my '98 WRX. Was getting a regular service from a mechanic and asked how much to fit the plugs at the same time. He said it was a big job, (understandable - boxer, hard to get to for sure), ok so how much?? .. but then he said 6hrs work! WTF. What's the go with doing them myself? How much of the car do u have to pull apart to change the plugs. Does anyone have a quick write up on the process? What to undo, and move aside?? Any help is much appreciated. - cheers team in advance.

i dont notice any difference between 95 and 98. except in the wallet. mileage is the same, and no increase in power or responsiveness. :-\

as the title says .. anyone recommend a good paint shop in PN to get some small car parts (wing mirror, bumper) painted? Thanks in advance.

Not no ordinary machine. This was a 1988 Holden Commodore Vacationer NT5693 tan/gold. Straight 6, 3ltr auto, classic. All original! Rear louvres, front clear plastic bonnet guard, plastic hub caps, and yellow sheeps skin rug in the back Stolen from Wgtn, Northlands, a while back in July 09 , (i know, ages ago) - but as it has never been recovered I wonder where the old girl can be. Stripped for parts or still driving around. :'( I have nightmares she's under water some where. Keep an eye please, she's a beaut, and the family would like to know where she's ended up. We need closure.

hard one to explain ??? as im not sure if it is really paint. '98 wrx sdn - just rear of the side door glass is a black panel (essentially on the rear pillar) which is of a matt black finish. This has been partly rubbed off for what ever reason leaving a silver under coat. is there anyway to fix this, .. better put, what would be the correct way of fixing this, other than just spray painting. (which maybe the only option :-\ ) cheers

happen to discover one of the rubber boots (on the front right) has gone and destroyed its self. And in the process flung grease all over the down pipe ... which now explains the burning smell for the last 4 weeks. anyone got a rough idea what I'd be looking at for getting this fixed?? even better if you know a good place in the Palmerston Nth??

solution - after many attempts of gently trying to pry off the indicators - it was finally resolved by the fair amount of brut force. Worked a treat. Cheers

cheers sounds like effort required

whats the correct technique? hi all, is it as easy as slipping a screw driver under it and prying it out??? just don't want to bust a plastic clip. cheers rr