Bigpower

Water through the exhaust plus idling issues until the cars warm= head gasket failure? Since yesterday had idling issues on cold which caused the car to cut out at the lights . It went away once the car was warm. Ive left it 24hrs and on start up its missing and chucking black water through the exhaust. As mits got no maff its not the maff causing the idling issues its fueling properly as checked the regulator so im erring towards partial gasket failure which given ive had the car for a month is not good. Add to the fact that its had a new engine etc in it for less than 9 months and the engine had only done 6k at most im just a little ticked off( believe me if Im being polite with the ticked off bit). Booking it into scooby clinic next week so they can find the root of the problem. Any thoughts guys on whast else it could be. If the head does have to come off ill be having some new pistons and con rods fitted as i might as well but i hope its not that serious as itll eat into my track and mod fund and will prob mean ill not be able to do any more dates this year and as the car was bought to be solid for exactly that reason ill be gutted. Starting to think i shouldve bought the evo after all

What's in the header tank?

just checked it and worryingly its empty, Im right in saying thats the tank with warning hot kinda square shapped left hand side of the engine bay?I take it i need to fill that back up prior to traveling to scooby clinic.

That's the water header tank and unfortunately it should be full. You seem to have all the signs of head gasket failure. Check the state of your oil too, in case water's been getting into the sump.

When you fill up with water, top up and leave the cap off the tank while you add water as the level drops. That'll help get rid of any air pockets in the system. Ideally keep going like this and feel the radiator top hose get hot. It needs to get hot so te thermostat opens to allow circulation of water and any air.

Keep a close eye on the water temp on the way to SC. If it starts to climb, stop for a while to let it cool before removing the cap. Cold water into a hot engine isn't good so let it cool before adding any and add it slowly. Good luck.

the only good thing is that theres been no rise in the engine temp and the oil is fine so fingers crossed no damage what i dont understand is how this couldve happened as its a new build etc by zak with steel gaskets and neil put it into zaks less than a month ago prior to me picking the car up for a check up and nothing to report. I am so mega fu@~ed off you would not believe as this wrecks the whole reason i bought the car.The car was meant to be bullet proof and had been checked over prior to me buying it. Wondering now whether it was chacked over as tbh I trusted that it had. I may well get it fixed and swap it. Feel very let down but maybe its just bad luck. Driven the car less than my fingers on one hand and this happens. Its looking less likely of me making snetterton now so thats just more money wasted. :x

On the filling the header back up Gerry I take it I need to do this whilst the engine is cold etc and do i need to add any coolant or anyhing or just plain h2o? Im also going to set the boost at 0 on the fc so that there is no damage. fortunately most of the drive to sc is up the motorway so overheating shouldnt be a prob.

Start filling with the engine off and cold. When the tank won't take any more, start the engine and top it up as the level drops.

Despite a motorway run, if you're losing water, be vigilant and keep an eye on the gauge (they're not the most accurate). If you have an Apexi PFC, set the commander to display water temp.

I know what you mean about disappointment. Sorry for you Graham

Sorry to hear about your troubles mate. I know how that feels. Just don't let it put you off using your car. Good luck with getting it sorted.

thanks mate. Its sickening as you just dont expect it but I suppose its just another lesson. I will however once the full diagnosis is given be asking some very pressing questions.

I might just get the RAC to tow the car to the clinic given that is what I pay them for after all.

Thanks for the help its appreciated as are the kind words just going to go into a corner now and cry. No sure whether we will keep the car after this as just feel uncomfortable. what ever happens if it is sold it will be right before its sold but Im angry right now so ill wait till the dust has settled first.

If you have RAC cover, use it. It'll save any further chance of damage.

Update .....

Well the car went off on the back of a lorry this afternoon but having had a good chat with Zak and with scooby clinic we think it is probably a faulty maff plus probably a leaky hose or water pump failure and is less likely to be the gasket. We wont know till later this week but I feel a bit better today and its more likely the car will be ok for snetterton etc. Will be having some new pads on it as well . We wont know for certain till the car has been checked over but will have to wait an see. Zak is confident the water was just condensation :oops:. So fingers crossed the car is ok and ive panicked for hopefully not too much. I am quite pleased that I remained reasonably calm for me and didnt upset anyone by jumping to all the conclusions that ran through my head. Its a horrible feeling to think the worst and feel a little guilty now :oops:. Gerry many thanks for your help and support and sorry to the god of all things subaru for mentioning the evil word that is evo in the same sentence as shouldve bought a......