2013 Valve Spring recall - modified (FI) engine thread

[shiumai]

I went to my local dealer today (Subaru Pacific in Hawthorne) and the service manager said that the car had to be returned to stock before they would perform the recall work (which was the answer I expected). They do not want to touch anything aftermarket that gets in the way of the recall work.

I did receive my 2020 registration sticker (I paid for it a month before I got the recall notice) so I have a year to get this done before I'm up for registration again.


I'm curious to see if anyone else in the same boat is able to register their vehicle some time after the recall notice went out without getting the work done, or whether we'll all be prevented from registering without showing proof that the work was done.

[Irace86.2.0]

I have a 2013 BRZ, and I haven’t received a letter. I’m like the third or second owner, so I don’t know if that matters. Did this problem effect every car that year?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

I have a 2013 BRZ, and I haven’t received a letter. I’m like the third or second owner, so I don’t know if that matters. Did this problem effect every car that year?

Not every car, but the best source of information would be one of the sites mentioned here where you can look up your VIN. They may not know you are the owner at this point.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Not every car, but the best source of information would be one of the sites mentioned here where you can look up your VIN. They may not know you are the owner at this point.

https://www.subaru.com/vehicle-recalls.html/

I found this VIN search, and it says no recalls for me.

[Cal3000]

Good thing I didn't repair my car last year. I think my valve springs were out of wack 6 months ago.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Cal3000

I think my valve springs were out of wack 6 months ago.

How did you notice?

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by shiumai

I'm curious to see if anyone else in the same boat is able to register their vehicle some time after the recall notice went out without getting the work done, or whether we'll all be prevented from registering without showing proof that the work was done.

I'm very curious too how well this communication between the car companies, CARB, and Cal DMV works, or if it is just a bluff. It says the DMV MAY require that you supply proof that the campaign has been completed. May....


Has anyone had the work done in Cal and received a Vehicle Emissions Recall Proof of Correction Form? According to the remedy notice, you should have.





NOTE (Customers who live in the state of California)


The state of California requires the completion of Safety Recalls / Service Campaigns on emission related parts prior to vehicle registration renewal. In addition, the State requires that every vehicle must pass an emission test (SMOG Check) every two years and before it is sold. Without the completion of this FREE Safety Recall, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will not allow your vehicle to be registered. State of California Regulations require Toyota to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with a record of all vehicles that have not had the Safety Recall completed.






Your Toyota dealer will provide you with a Vehicle Emissions Recall Proof of Correction Form after the campaign has been completed. Please ensure you retain this form, because the DMV may require that you supply proof that the campaign has been completed during your vehicle registration renewal process.

[kmbkk]

I'm stopping by one of my local dealers to discuss the recall this afternoon. Hopefully they'll work with me, as like others, I really don't want to spend 2 weekends in-modding and modding my car.

[olsonpg]

Originally Posted by kmbkk

I'm stopping by one of my local dealers to discuss the recall this afternoon. Hopefully they'll work with me, as like others, I really don't want to spend 2 weekends in-modding and modding my car.

I hear you. The shop that built my engine and installed my kit quoted me upwards of 20-25 hours to do the job. They basically told me if it was their car they didn't think it was worth 4-5k (CAD$) of preventative maintenance for a possible valve spring fault that may or may not wreck the engine if it breaks.

I don't know if I trust a dealership messing with my engine either since its so heavily modified.

I'm in a bit of a pickle but I almost think I'm just going to roll the dice on this one...

Anyone else feeling this way or am I silly to gamble on this.

[Bodalenko]

Australia Toyota have a phone in number and will confirm if you need the recall. I did and do. They are quoting 10.5hrs to do the job. Called in to my dealer and he said it will take at least 6 weeks for them to prepare their shop to do the job and had no idea when letters to owners would start. Neither did the Toyota help line rep. The dealer is looking at a drop off Monday pick up Friday scenario which is shit load more than 10.5 hrs.

This is a full engine out job and for some reason once the synergy between engine, driveline, and chassis is interfered with there are squeaks, rattle and issues that weren’t there before. My car is running perfectly now after going nowhere near a Toyota Service centre since the warranty ended and I’m NOT keen on going back, but what choice do you have. As the service manager said you may never have an issue at all BUT there is always the what if I do!

Funny and at the same time a little scary, the service manager told me NOT to be in too much of a hurry to get my car done and to let them do 4 or 5 before I book mine in to give them time to get the process right! Hardly a confidence building comment.

The labour and parts to do this job would almost make it cost neutral and lot quicker to drop in a new long motor given what Subaru make them for on mass.

No, mention either of a courtesy car while yours is in pieces.. This is going to be a major pain in the arse..

Oh and on top of that 4 hours before I read about the recall here I was at Harrop HQ getting a price for their SC install.. Was very close to a break through in negotiations with the wife to get the funding. That’s definitely on hold now till this is sorted..

[shiumai]

I'm also wondering what happens to people who live in CA who have replaced their valve springs with aftermarket ones as part of an engine build. Are they still forced to take the car in to get them swapped out for OEM ones in order to register it? There are some scenarios that haven't been addressed.

[kmbkk]

Update...

Priority Toyota agreed to do my recall and I don’t have to remove the turbo kit. They’re also replacing the spark plugs and not charging any labor. I asked about using aftermarket valve springs and they will only install the factory ones. I knew it was a long shot, but didn’t hurt to ask.

[Cal3000]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

How did you notice?

I have smooth idling but the car runs really rough when I move. I'm throwing codes for cam shaft position at the intake and exhaust side.
Before I thought it was the OCV valve. Changed that and nothing. The only other solutions was to change the ECU or timing chain from the codes. I called subie specialist shop and they think my valves are done. I'm assuming it could be the springs, or rather hoping they are.
I'm in the process of placing the car back to stock.

[Norotor]

Originally Posted by shiumai

I'm also wondering what happens to people who live in CA who have replaced their valve springs with aftermarket ones as part of an engine build. Are they still forced to take the car in to get them swapped out for OEM ones in order to register it? There are some scenarios that haven't been addressed.

I'm going to have this problem; I've had my forged engine with upgraded heads/valvetrain sitting around for a while and finally decided to drop it back into my frs, and of course the recall was announced shortly after. It seems silly to be forced to bring my car to the dealer to have them replace GSC beehive springs with OEM ones, just to pull the engine all over again to replace them with the GSC beehive springs once i get the car back.

In another thread a member stated that Toyota said he didn't need to perform the recall because he replaced his '13 longblock which originally was part of the recall, with a newer engine. I'm hoping im in the same boat since the only things in my engine that are really oem 2013 are the case-halves and bare heads/cams. I've been waiting to see if anyone else has dealt with a similar situation, but looks like i'll have to give my local dealer a call after the weekend.