Vehicle : subaru impreza 2.5 wrx sti spec D 56 model .

Modifications : full standard vehicle (for now)

Problem : when starting engine from cold. A certain component under the bonnet will make a grinding noise for about 1 minute then stop .

Picture of component :


<a href="http://s1209.photobucket.com/user/alex_oliver1/media/77E056CC-E2D1-4846-99A9-6B250D7F6381.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc385/alex_oliver1/77E056CC-E2D1-4846-99A9-6B250D7F6381.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 77E056CC-E2D1-4846-99A9-6B250D7F6381.jpg"/></a>

 

Type "sti secondary air pump" in to Google, have a look at images to confirm then read info.

 

When the engine blows its headgasket remove it while it's being rebuilt

 

Thanks Chris jt! I don't think the head gasket is in any trouble lad

 

You can't just remove it you need to blank the two ports on the rear of the motor and your mapper needs to remove the fault code from the ECU.

Not sure if its the same model but i have one for sale on here and ebay at the minute, it was removed from my 2008 WRX last week (just before mapping) apparently they are quite expensive new! it was working fine i just had it removed incase it goes like yours. lol...

 

Well I was just going to leave it. It hasn't registered as a fault yet it's just making a grinding noise. If I was to just leave it, would it affect any other components in the engine ? Or the engine it's self. Or more over is it actually necessary ? I know it's important for emissions but is it important for the well being of the engine? Thanks

 

It only operates for the first few minutes from cold start, it was Subaru's attempt to get over cold start emissions, they put the same effort into this as the pistons in the 2.5 engines.
It will not effect your engine, if you unplug it, it will throw up a cel warning, best to get it removed or replace with a used unit , plenty out there, the Hatch type are not the same.

 

Mine does it for 30 seconds or so. Been told you can remove it, and oil it up and the noise may disappear for a bit. It really doesn't bother me for 30 seconds when the car starts (only from cold). My advice is don't worry about it, or remove it which is really easy, give it a good oil up and refit. I will do mine at some point.