The saga continues
Discussion
A brief summary
330s bought Nov 14. 70k miles.
2-3k miles later, started with some smoke on startup - took it in to a specialist in Stockport - found cracked ringland
decided to go for forged internals while i was 'in there'. 9 months to get it back to me.
2 months and 2.5k later - head gasket went - see copies of thread below for more info.
taken to another specialist - Garage B nearer to me. engine apart. studs all at different heights and 3 'felt loose'. when removed, the threads came out of the block with two of them - cross threaded and stripped on insertion. Brian at garage B describes work done by Garage A as 'abysmal'.
Garage A has since been sold, so my chance of recouping losses is slim to none i'd have thought.
resting on 20 year old laurels. current results show this. until confirmed, hope for the best and hope you get it sorted. 9 months for an engine rebuild is just taking the piss. hindsight and all, may have been best to pull your car away from there sooner.Well it seems that's right on the money unfortunately 
CAMS performance has stripped it down and the reason the head gasket went is that the studs weren't put in right. They were all different heights apparently (photos taken during dismantling) and the chap said he initially thought that 3 of them hadn't been tightened properly, as they felt like they had already been loosened. Sadly it's worse than that. When they took the studs out two of them brought the threads out of the block with them. So seems they were cross threaded and stripped. So now I need new half blocks - and how much labour to rebuild it, never mind another gasket set, new studs etc etc.
There were also various clips loose and the hose for the turbo was half folded into the pipe itself, instead of sitting nicely around the outside of it. The phrase Brian used to describe the work that had been done on my car was 'abysmal'.
Given that Pete has now sold his Subaru specialist workshop in Stockport, means I don't hold out much hope for redress. I suppose at the least heads aren't cracked or warped, but still, after spending £6k for Pete to rebuild the engine with forged internals means I really don't have funds for this.
s
t!! I loved that car when it was running, as it's just an awesome package. But I can't keep doing this. So I'm selling it and the only thing to decide it whether to just sell it as is, or fix and sell. I'll get priced for fixing it tomorrow as well as an idea of what it's worth as is, then I can decide.
Pete told me early on, when I mentioned I'd been referred to him, that you're only as good as your last car. That's certainly true!!
330s bought Nov 14. 70k miles.
2-3k miles later, started with some smoke on startup - took it in to a specialist in Stockport - found cracked ringland
decided to go for forged internals while i was 'in there'. 9 months to get it back to me.
2 months and 2.5k later - head gasket went - see copies of thread below for more info.
taken to another specialist - Garage B nearer to me. engine apart. studs all at different heights and 3 'felt loose'. when removed, the threads came out of the block with two of them - cross threaded and stripped on insertion. Brian at garage B describes work done by Garage A as 'abysmal'.
Garage A has since been sold, so my chance of recouping losses is slim to none i'd have thought.
SpydieNut said:
MDMA . said:
tonyb1968 said:
Prosport was probably THE best garage in the north west, unfortunately Pete has been ill recently and he has rented out his unit now, still one of the best Subaru mechanics I know (he was working on these cars in the early to mid 80's when it was a farmers special 
)
WAS, being the past tense (he was working on these cars in the early to mid 80's when it was a farmers special ) resting on 20 year old laurels. current results show this. until confirmed, hope for the best and hope you get it sorted. 9 months for an engine rebuild is just taking the piss. hindsight and all, may have been best to pull your car away from there sooner.CAMS performance has stripped it down and the reason the head gasket went is that the studs weren't put in right. They were all different heights apparently (photos taken during dismantling) and the chap said he initially thought that 3 of them hadn't been tightened properly, as they felt like they had already been loosened. Sadly it's worse than that. When they took the studs out two of them brought the threads out of the block with them. So seems they were cross threaded and stripped. So now I need new half blocks - and how much labour to rebuild it, never mind another gasket set, new studs etc etc.
There were also various clips loose and the hose for the turbo was half folded into the pipe itself, instead of sitting nicely around the outside of it. The phrase Brian used to describe the work that had been done on my car was 'abysmal'.
Given that Pete has now sold his Subaru specialist workshop in Stockport, means I don't hold out much hope for redress. I suppose at the least heads aren't cracked or warped, but still, after spending £6k for Pete to rebuild the engine with forged internals means I really don't have funds for this.
s
t!! I loved that car when it was running, as it's just an awesome package. But I can't keep doing this. So I'm selling it and the only thing to decide it whether to just sell it as is, or fix and sell. I'll get priced for fixing it tomorrow as well as an idea of what it's worth as is, then I can decide.Pete told me early on, when I mentioned I'd been referred to him, that you're only as good as your last car. That's certainly true!!
sorry about all the problems. maybe looking back on things, it might have been better to pull your car away sooner than the 9 months it sat there. who knows ???
the main thing is to get it running right this time round. you are in good hands with CAMS. Brian has a great reputation.
it is unfortunate that you had to experience what you have. be a good idea to get CAMS to photograph the strip down and document everything. if PROSPORT are still trading ( same name / just new owners ) I am sure that the " Company " still have to carry some of the guarantee ? check with Trading Standards and hope that you might be able to recover some costs.
chin up as they say
the main thing is to get it running right this time round. you are in good hands with CAMS. Brian has a great reputation.
it is unfortunate that you had to experience what you have. be a good idea to get CAMS to photograph the strip down and document everything. if PROSPORT are still trading ( same name / just new owners ) I am sure that the " Company " still have to carry some of the guarantee ? check with Trading Standards and hope that you might be able to recover some costs.
chin up as they say
SpydieNut said:
A brief summary
330s bought Nov 14. 70k miles.
2-3k miles later, started with some smoke on startup - took it in to a specialist in Stockport - found cracked ringland
decided to go for forged internals while i was 'in there'. 9 months to get it back to me.
2 months and 2.5k later - head gasket went - see copies of thread below for more info.
taken to another specialist - Garage B nearer to me. engine apart. studs all at different heights and 3 'felt loose'. when removed, the threads came out of the block with two of them - cross threaded and stripped on insertion. Brian at garage B describes work done by Garage A as 'abysmal'.
Garage A has since been sold, so my chance of recouping losses is slim to none i'd have thought.
resting on 20 year old laurels. current results show this. until confirmed, hope for the best and hope you get it sorted. 9 months for an engine rebuild is just taking the piss. hindsight and all, may have been best to pull your car away from there sooner.Well it seems that's right on the money unfortunately
CAMS performance has stripped it down and the reason the head gasket went is that the studs weren't put in right. They were all different heights apparently (photos taken during dismantling) and the chap said he initially thought that 3 of them hadn't been tightened properly, as they felt like they had already been loosened. Sadly it's worse than that. When they took the studs out two of them brought the threads out of the block with them. So seems they were cross threaded and stripped. So now I need new half blocks - and how much labour to rebuild it, never mind another gasket set, new studs etc etc.
There were also various clips loose and the hose for the turbo was half folded into the pipe itself, instead of sitting nicely around the outside of it. The phrase Brian used to describe the work that had been done on my car was 'abysmal'.
Given that Pete has now sold his Subaru specialist workshop in Stockport, means I don't hold out much hope for redress. I suppose at the least heads aren't cracked or warped, but still, after spending £6k for Pete to rebuild the engine with forged internals means I really don't have funds for this.
st!! I loved that car when it was running, as it's just an awesome package. But I can't keep doing this. So I'm selling it and the only thing to decide it whether to just sell it as is, or fix and sell. I'll get priced for fixing it tomorrow as well as an idea of what it's worth as is, then I can decide.
Pete told me early on, when I mentioned I'd been referred to him, that you're only as good as your last car. That's certainly true!!
Sorry to hear that 330s bought Nov 14. 70k miles.
2-3k miles later, started with some smoke on startup - took it in to a specialist in Stockport - found cracked ringland
decided to go for forged internals while i was 'in there'. 9 months to get it back to me.
2 months and 2.5k later - head gasket went - see copies of thread below for more info.
taken to another specialist - Garage B nearer to me. engine apart. studs all at different heights and 3 'felt loose'. when removed, the threads came out of the block with two of them - cross threaded and stripped on insertion. Brian at garage B describes work done by Garage A as 'abysmal'.
Garage A has since been sold, so my chance of recouping losses is slim to none i'd have thought.
SpydieNut said:
MDMA . said:
tonyb1968 said:
Prosport was probably THE best garage in the north west, unfortunately Pete has been ill recently and he has rented out his unit now, still one of the best Subaru mechanics I know (he was working on these cars in the early to mid 80's when it was a farmers special )
WAS, being the past tense (he was working on these cars in the early to mid 80's when it was a farmers special ) resting on 20 year old laurels. current results show this. until confirmed, hope for the best and hope you get it sorted. 9 months for an engine rebuild is just taking the piss. hindsight and all, may have been best to pull your car away from there sooner.CAMS performance has stripped it down and the reason the head gasket went is that the studs weren't put in right. They were all different heights apparently (photos taken during dismantling) and the chap said he initially thought that 3 of them hadn't been tightened properly, as they felt like they had already been loosened. Sadly it's worse than that. When they took the studs out two of them brought the threads out of the block with them. So seems they were cross threaded and stripped. So now I need new half blocks - and how much labour to rebuild it, never mind another gasket set, new studs etc etc.
There were also various clips loose and the hose for the turbo was half folded into the pipe itself, instead of sitting nicely around the outside of it. The phrase Brian used to describe the work that had been done on my car was 'abysmal'.
Given that Pete has now sold his Subaru specialist workshop in Stockport, means I don't hold out much hope for redress. I suppose at the least heads aren't cracked or warped, but still, after spending £6k for Pete to rebuild the engine with forged internals means I really don't have funds for this.
s
t!! I loved that car when it was running, as it's just an awesome package. But I can't keep doing this. So I'm selling it and the only thing to decide it whether to just sell it as is, or fix and sell. I'll get priced for fixing it tomorrow as well as an idea of what it's worth as is, then I can decide.Pete told me early on, when I mentioned I'd been referred to him, that you're only as good as your last car. That's certainly true!!
but I have NEVER known Pete to do a bad engine, EVER, and he's built plenty of 2.5's due to ringland issues (plus 2ltr's etc) so it seems weird he couldn't fit the head bolts correctly or tighten them up to the correct specification so to me it sounds suspect tbh.My recommendation for a garage would be http://www.autotecnica-subaru.co.uk/ over in Buxton and see what he can do, he gets very good reviews from the guys on Scoobynet
Well all I can say is what I have been told by CAMS - and I've been to see the engine in bits - including the threads that came out of the block when the studs were removed.
Pete left a message on my mobile yesterday to the effect that he told me he'd personally built the short engine and that he did - he doesn't lie, but also that 'that doesn't include the cylinder heads' - so it appears someone on his team has put he studs in. He's going to call back today and I'll see what he says - irrespective of who did what though, bottom line is a shoddy job appears to have been done on my car while it was in his care and I don't see why I should foot the bill to put it right.
Of course legally I should have given him first chance to put the error right, but given it took 9 months to get it back to me the first time, and the fact he's sold Prosport (even though he's working elsewhere) means this really is something I wasn't prepared to do.
Pete left a message on my mobile yesterday to the effect that he told me he'd personally built the short engine and that he did - he doesn't lie, but also that 'that doesn't include the cylinder heads' - so it appears someone on his team has put he studs in. He's going to call back today and I'll see what he says - irrespective of who did what though, bottom line is a shoddy job appears to have been done on my car while it was in his care and I don't see why I should foot the bill to put it right.
Of course legally I should have given him first chance to put the error right, but given it took 9 months to get it back to me the first time, and the fact he's sold Prosport (even though he's working elsewhere) means this really is something I wasn't prepared to do.
seems Pete's done a runner
he's now ignoring all contact.
so i'm going to spread this through as many subaru forums as i can find - as i'd hate someone else to get stung as i was - £6k worth of work and within 2k miles it's gone again.
can't believe after as many years as he's apparently been in the game, he'd value his reputation so lightly.
he's now ignoring all contact.
so i'm going to spread this through as many subaru forums as i can find - as i'd hate someone else to get stung as i was - £6k worth of work and within 2k miles it's gone again.
can't believe after as many years as he's apparently been in the game, he'd value his reputation so lightly.
a quick update and thank you all for the advice
bottom line seems to be stay away from Pete ****, who used to own Pro**** in Stockport - he's ignoring my texts and emails.
he has, interestingly, contacted the garage where my car is now and offered to come in on a Sunday and rebuild the bottom end. i've told the garage I don't want him doing this. a)it's nowhere near enough of a contribution and b) if things do go tits up again and he's done some of the work, he'll blame the garage and they'll blame him
so the garage is in the process of doing the work - they'll have the block milled for 14mm studs etc and go from there. quote of £2.8k (incl VAT) all in.
i'm going to have to do it, as the car isn't worth much as a non-runner.
then try and see if i can pursue Pete down legal channels - and taking advice on this first, given he's sold Pro****.
bottom line seems to be stay away from Pete ****, who used to own Pro**** in Stockport - he's ignoring my texts and emails.
he has, interestingly, contacted the garage where my car is now and offered to come in on a Sunday and rebuild the bottom end. i've told the garage I don't want him doing this. a)it's nowhere near enough of a contribution and b) if things do go tits up again and he's done some of the work, he'll blame the garage and they'll blame him
so the garage is in the process of doing the work - they'll have the block milled for 14mm studs etc and go from there. quote of £2.8k (incl VAT) all in.
i'm going to have to do it, as the car isn't worth much as a non-runner.
then try and see if i can pursue Pete down legal channels - and taking advice on this first, given he's sold Pro****.
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