Author Topic: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?  (Read 1426 times)

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Offline XCUSEM3

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04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« on: December 14, 2018, 08:36:04 am »
Have my EJ257 engine pulled to fix an oil leak properly. What preventative maintenance items would be easy with the engine out that I should consider?

Here's my list so far:

  • Valve cover gaskets, grommets, half moons, spark plugs
  • Head gaskets? They're not leaking....but should I just do them while the engine is out? I can get a shop to deck the heads.
  • Timing belt, pulleys, water pump, thermostat
  • 4 cam seals
  • Not sure what other seals to do...first time owning a subaru engine

Offline Rathburn

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2018, 09:30:02 am »
Probably one of the best reliability mods you can do:




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Offline Asstuna

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2018, 09:53:40 am »
How's your clutch?

Needs a racing stripe for 5hp gainz:


Offline XCUSEM3

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2018, 08:57:10 am »
How's your clutch?



Clutch should be okay, but i'll check it when I pull the engine out

Offline A.J.

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2018, 10:47:28 am »
Check valve clearances while the valve covers are off?

Not sure what the 04 service interval recommends, but on mine (2011) it is recommended at the same interval as the timing belt.

Also check PCV and clean all of the lines while they are easy to access.
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Offline diamondedge

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2018, 11:27:31 am »
If this is the year with the leaky fuel hose clamps, I would also look at as well.

http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=45957.msg557849#msg557849




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Offline Mason

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2018, 11:33:15 am »
Check your rubber hoses. After 13 years they tend to feel like hard plastic instead of playable rubber. 

If you wanna add some insurance you could also add a killer b oil pick up. Would be a good excuse to break the oil pan and inspect everything in there

Edit: Dr beans did an amazing service to his bug eye when is came in. Check it out, lots of good stuff in his thread http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=55488.0

Offline XCUSEM3

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2018, 03:31:59 pm »
Yeah I might order an aftermarket pick-up. Trying to decide between the Killer B and the Moroso. Killer B seems like the more popular one but not sure if it's worth the extra money.

Also still undecided if I should do the head gaskets while they are out. Keep hearing varying opinions on just leave it if it isn't leaking and just doing it since the motor is out already.


Updated list

  • Valve cover gaskets, grommets, half moons, spark plugs
  • Head gaskets? They're not leaking....but should I just do them while the engine is out? I can get a shop to deck the heads.
  • Timing belt, pulleys, water pump, thermostat
  • 4 cam seals
  • Front + rear crankshaft seal
  • Oil pick up
  • Check valve clearances
  • Check PCV & hoses
  • Motor mounts

Offline Mason

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2018, 03:43:21 pm »
Rear main seal

Offline SlowLGT

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2018, 03:50:31 pm »
Did Subaru use banjo bolt filters in 2004? I think there is one in the turbo feed, one by the driver side head, and another one somewhere. It would be worth cleaning or removing these.

Offline VTAKLOL

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2018, 05:12:32 pm »
If the head gaskets aren’t leaking, I’d leave them alone

Offline XCUSEM3

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2018, 03:39:16 pm »
Did Subaru use banjo bolt filters in 2004? I think there is one in the turbo feed, one by the driver side head, and another one somewhere. It would be worth cleaning or removing these.

I believe so, I'll add that to the list as well. Thanks!

Offline Mustard

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2019, 11:58:55 pm »
Bump, for progress check-in.

Also. If not too late. Remove the Secondary Air pump Valves (and the rest of the system).
note: this will require ECU mod to ignore the CEL codes it creates.
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Offline GrantC

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2019, 01:31:07 pm »
Also. If not too late. Remove the Secondary Air pump Valves (and the rest of the system).
note: this will require ECU mod to ignore the CEL codes it creates.

I'm fairly sure those appeared on 07+.  ;)

Offline Mustard

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Re: 04 STi engine out - what other maintenance to do?
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2019, 01:04:39 am »
I'm fairly sure those appeared on 07+.  ;)

Ah... indeed. 06+ WRX and 07+ STi.

n/m then
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