bergstrom44

Simbey1982, Just joined the forum today trying to figure out the solution to the same problem or at least I think it is the same problem. I have an '04 WRX Wagon. It has been having this issue for the past couple months, but is starting to get worse. My car will always start on a cold engine. The only time when it will not start is after I have been driving the car for a while, usually about 15 minutes after I have turned it off. I have taken it to a couple mechanics and they have not been able to figure it out. I spoke to a guy today who was having the same problem. He said that on Subaru's the downpipe leading from the turbo is right next to the starter. What is happening is that when the turbo gets hot from driving, it is transferring some of that heat to the starter causing the metal to expand in the solenoid. Then, when you try to start the car, the solenoid can't engage. After then engine has sat for a while, the metal has cooled and will allow the solenoid to engage. He suggested that I put some kind of heat shield between the starter and the downpipe. I do not know a lot about cars, but from what I have heard so far; this seems to make the most sense. What does everyone else think?