MY08 GT-B TB STi - Concerned Questions

[Spoonie]

Hi All

Just got myself a GT-B TB STi, yet had some questions which I hope you can answer, or at least set me at ease before I follow up with the seller.

When I purchased it, it had white residue under the hood, entire hood which I had them look into. They didnt know what it was, but replaced the underneath cover of the bonnet as they couldnt clean it off either.

Now, I noticed when I brought it home last night, the engine cover was missing the badge which tells you what number the edition is. xxx/250 (etc)

I am very concerned that possibly something had happened to the engine, I questioned regarding the oil malfunction and they advised it was all checked and cleared. But them failing to know the reason of the white residue, together with the missing badge, really does concern me.

Also, is it normal that after driving for say an hour or 2 (not extremely hard) that the engine bay would get very hot? Oil temp is normal though.

Any advice?

It was from a reputable dealer I wish not to name, and the car was ex-demo. I know I should have got an NRMA pre inspection...but I couldnt get to it due to me slipping all over my eager salivation of owning this puppy.

Other than that, I am loving it!!

[tangcla]

Hard to say, I think the white stuff is coolant, was it above any of the two radiator caps?

Engine cover - maybe someone wanted to keep the special badge edition and swapped it for a factory one.

[senator]

All 08 tb sti were fitted with the new oil line from factory, no need to worry, missing engine cover………. I would ask the dealership again, its may have been removed when they were looking for the cause of the white residue you speak of.

Being an ex demo, I think your main concern would be the condition of your brakes, I remember when shopping around for mine, the first thing I noticed were all the demo cars had warped/glazed rotors, due to very hard braking. You can easily identity these by inconsistent wear on the rotors, deep groves and shiny patches on the rotors.

btw where a you located?, it will help as we could direct you to a dealership which know what they a doing......

[Spoonie]

Thanks Tangcla & Senator, appreciate the prompt responses.

Tangcla: There wasnt any white residue over any other portion of the engine bay but only on the bonnet protective under cover. I did run my fingers along the residue and it was dry and seemed to be hardened/stuck in place.

Senator: Dealer did elude to it possibly being degreaser that was on the engine when cleaning. But I found that hard to believe considering that the residue was hardened. What you have said about brakes is extremely interesting as I have noticed that I hear the occassional grind when braking from the front rotors and when coasting along (i.e - no acceleration/braking) I hear occassional squeaking from front right wheel base.

I am located in western part of sydney, but work in north ryde.

Also, is it normal that the engine bay would get quite hot inside? This is my first subaru..so maybe it is normal.

Regardless of concerns, think I am still gonna puke from excitement and elation.

[senator]

Senator: Dealer did elude to it possibly being degreaser that was on the engine when cleaning. But I found that hard to believe considering that the residue was hardened. What you have said about brakes is extremely interesting as I have noticed that I hear the occassional grind when braking from the front rotors and when coasting along (i.e - no acceleration/braking) I hear occassional squeaking from front right wheel base.

I am located in western part of sydney, but work in north ryde.

Also, is it normal that the engine bay would get quite hot inside? This is my first subaru..so maybe it is normal.

Regardless of concerns, think I am still gonna puke from excitement and elation.

The grinding you refer too is normal according to Subaru, but I think and have been told by a brembo specialist that its due to miss matched pads, there a too soft for the rotors, hence my rear pads only lasting 16k. The grinding will disappear as the pads wear.

Squeaking could be signs of glazing…… a light skim of the rotor will be needed to resolve that issue.

Regarding the hot engine bay, not too sure what you mean, if your temp gauges sits at half way that's normal, any higher and I would be concerned.

[smythie]

yeah, the engine bay will get hot after a lot of driving.

[Spoonie]

Brilliant, appreciate all the responses there. Have set me at ease.

I have talked to the dealer regarding the missing badges (apparently there was supposed to be one on the center console I have heard and all I have is an SI Drive Badge) and he said that he will look into this tomorrow and get back to me. Very helpful chap he is.

Does anyone have or can link in some engine bay and centre console shots of their 08 Liberty GTB TB STi just so that I can get an idea of what could be different in my one?

[tangcla]

Are you sure you bought a Tuned by STi?

Do you have Brembos? Are you sure they're not just Brembo covers?

[sheppo9]

Was/is the white stuff the Data Dots?

[Spoonie]

Tangcla, made my jaw drop for a second there...

Positive its the STi tuned. has the bilsteins, pinks shocks, struts, cosmic dash, STi Rims etc etc etc.

Doubt data dots would like like hardened foam??

[tangcla]

Tangcla, made my jaw drop for a second there...

Positive its the STi tuned. has the bilsteins, pinks shocks, struts, cosmic dash, STi Rims etc etc etc.

Doubt data dots would like like hardened foam??

Brembos?

And Datadot shouldn't be visible to the naked eye. Also wouldn't be on low-value parts like a bonnet lining...

[dwayne]

Was/is the white stuff the Data Dots?

No they wouldn't be. Data dots are microscopic and on the vehicle paintwork and wheels and other components. The bonnet lining wouldn't be a critical enough component to spray with dots .

[Spoonie]

The Bonnet lining's not sprayed

bonnet ninjas striiiiiiike

[senator]

Brilliant, appreciate all the responses there. Have set me at ease.

I have talked to the dealer regarding the missing badges (apparently there was supposed to be one on the center console I have heard and all I have is an SI Drive Badge) and he said that he will look into this tomorrow and get back to me. Very helpful chap he is.

Does anyone have or can link in some engine bay and centre console shots of their 08 Liberty GTB TB STi just so that I can get an idea of what could be different in my one?

not sure if i have any engine pics that will help.

but i am certain the build plate for all tb sti 07 onwards had one build plate which was attached to the engine cover, only 06 tb sti's had a build plate mounted below the shifter (where our Si drive button is)

[Roddez]

Not sure if it helps, but the black pipes leading too and from my radiator and coolant overflow bottle have turned white. There is also some white residue around the top of the radiator and the radiator header tank over the engine.

I'm told this is 'normal' but no one has been able to provide anything more informed than that.