Robsyuk 2018 Levorg Sti

Now at 93k and getting ready for having all the fluids changed.

I've replaced the spark plugs, cleaned the intercooler with white spirits, carb cleaner in the throttle body and all breather pipes.

I went to change the pcv valve and annoying ordered the wrong one. * The Ebay page said it was for the Levorg.*
I cleaned the old one out with carb cleaner and it rattles perfectly. I see the pcv as an service item and would have rather replaced it, But eventually plan to fit a catch can system.

Considering the car has only ever used 99 Ron while in my ownership and hopefully the 101 Ron in Japan - I was surprised how gunked up the breathers were.

I spent ages straightening the fins on the intercooler only damage it. Don't ask.
I will get a new one from Japan as I'm not convinced this dent isn't effecting the flow, even though the car is driving better than ever.

The car feels more responsive and this may sound strange, but it's as if I'm being pushed from behind rather than the engine pulling me when the turbo kicks in.

The spark plugs were so much easier to do on the FA20 vs the EJ20 in my hawkeye. Only took me an hour, and having a wobbly adaptor really helped with the far plug. I dropped the old plug, can you see it? But I'm glad I have an extendable magnet. It saves me having to struggle around to recover dropped plugs & bolts.
The plugs are orange from the use of octain boosters and I need to see if the orange is a sign that I'm not diluting them enough, or using them too frequently, or totally normal.

And naturally, while everything is out, I cleaned the battery area and other bits I normally wouldn't have access to.
My daughter wanted to help, so I let her do the screen wash.
I had an annoying whistle and lost boost pressure which turned out to be me installing the intercooler wrong.

Why subaru design the I/C with gaps on the end is crazy. Having to use a rubber gasket that the clip sits in, to seal this holes is a recipe for disaster. The heat over time will destroy the seal and the clip will eat into it causing a leak.
Look at the EJ20 Inlet pipe from the 2005 impreza. The exact same thing happened.
I am tempted to see if an aftermarket I/C has better fittings to fail proof it.
The bung that holds the charge pipe in place split and Subaru don't know when they will have it back in stock. I'm tempted to upgrade the pipe to Perrin or similar as again, plastic will fail over time.

Rob, we need you to do a quick picture guide on how to remove intercooler, MAF, PCV, EGR, throttle body for us all!

I don't even know where my car PCV valve is

nicodache said:

Rob, we need you to do a quick picture guide on how to remove intercooler, MAF, PCV, EGR, throttle body for us all!

I don't even know where my car PCV valve is

Click to expand...

I didn't even think of that tbh. It's simple enough to remove everything. It's just technique getting the intercooler out without crushing the fins.

The pcv valve is at the front of the intercooler with this little pipe connecting the block to the inlet.

Just had her yearly MOT and flew through with flying colours
She looks so good in the wet.

K2 gear grill is aftermarket but I missed the Sti logo from the stock grill.
I had to remove the bumper to put it on, but i think it looks so much better.

I should have put it on when I had the bumper off the first time, but didn't consider an sti logo at the time.

New intercooler and grommet installed today, and what a headache it was.

To replace the grommet, I had to remove the charge pipe. I was hoping it was just 2 bolts, but it wasn't. All the engine covers, maf, and pipes had to be removed which resulted in 3hrs to do both bits. I treated the maf to a little carbon cleaner and cleaned the inlet pipe out
I hate my resin driveway as it's like a cheese grater to lay on.

Still, both bits done.
Getting closer to 94km on the clock, then I'll do the oil etc.

I put a Subaru Industries badge on the engine cover affer giving the engine bay a good clean.
I'd like to find a bigger one if possible

Just done an oil change at 94200km and replaced the filter for an STi one.
I'm not to bothered if it filters better, it looks cool.
Everything was going beautifully until a delivery guy turned up.
We got talking about how crooks follow the van from the depo and steal every parcel on board. It can't be good being a delivery driver at the min and while talking I completely forgot to move the container with the old oil in.

I let the car down and heard a crack. The container split and proceeded to dump all the oil on my drive, great.

Now I have cat litter everywhere, and the neighbours' kids think it has snowed.
Zero metal on the magnetic drain plug, and the engine is so much quieter with 5w30.
My oem oil cap had 5w30 on it, so I ignored the 0w20 as per the uk manual and went with what the jdm manual says.
The jdm sticker i put on the oil filter shows what date and milage I changed the oil. * if you translate the Japanese it will say Cambelt change date - it's from when I had my impreza.

Ah what a disaster about the oil spill. nothing worse. Nice change just before winter though.

ah dam sucks about the oil spillage on driveway good news no metal though

thanks for the great pics and write up, think I'm gonna tackle plugs and clean MAF

lerroy said:

ah dam sucks about the oil spillage on driveway good news no metal though

thanks for the great pics and write up, think I'm gonna tackle plugs and clean MAF

Click to expand...

I like to do a write up of all cars I've owned. I do it for personal knowledge, to share advice, and most importantly, when I sell the car on.

The new owner can see everything I've done.

Now at 94263km and the rear tyres were replaced today. I didn't like the cracks in the old side walls, they came on the car so their age was unknown.

I also had a wheel alignment done and like seeing it needed miror adjustments.

Please tell me the Goodyear are not your new tires; they got a manufacturing week marking of 4 years ago...

nicodache said:

Please tell me the Goodyear are not your new tires; they got a manufacturing week marking of 4 years ago...

Click to expand...

I don't understand what you mean.
They have always been super grippy for me

Robsyuk said:

They have always been super grippy for me

Click to expand...

Sure, but rubber gets dry & hard by just sitting (because of UV and oxygen and stuff). Most manufacturers recommend replacing tires once they get to 6 or 7 years old, and your goodyear tires are 4 years already.
If those goodyear are the new rear tires you just got fitted, someone sold you their old stock , instead of new tires fresh of the manufacturing.

I lost a washer jet nozzle cover from the bumper a few weeks back, so a replacement was ordered from amayama.com.
Ordered a spare just in case.
This is the passanger side one (left side of the car if you're sat in it)