Seized Motor - Need options/help - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

GWiZ · 03-10-2015, 04:09 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am in need of some rather quick assistance/advice... Long story short, I have a seized 2013 BRZ from lack of oil. Subaru refused to acknowledge the warranty, lawsuit ensued, and I am here. (With a check from Subaru of course)

Subaru refuses to touch the car now even though I'm willing to pay them for the repair that should have been done in September last year.

What are the best options? I have reached out to a few shops but I am not exactly sure what I "should" do in this situation.

Buy a new motor? Have the short block repaired and have them check the long block for any other damages? Finances aren't the biggest issue but I do not want to continually have to worry about the reliability of the vehicle once I've found a solution. I know there are some serious tinkers and brains on here so I value any input I can get.

Thanks in advance!!

GotBRZ1691 · 03-10-2015, 04:19 PM

If finances are not a worry and reliability is, engine swap a LSX or a 2JZ

Otherwise I'd build a FA20 with all new aftermarket internals so it be ready for boost later on the line

King Tut · 03-10-2015, 04:27 PM

I would check the junk yards and throw in a good running used motor. Just call it a learning experience and move on with life.

White64Goat · 03-10-2015, 04:30 PM

Search the junkyards for an engine........

RobertPaulson · 03-10-2015, 04:38 PM

i'm with the rest, find a used engine from a wreck, swap that puppy in and move on.

BRZnut · 03-10-2015, 05:07 PM

Care to share any details of how the engine failed???

LavosTRD · 03-10-2015, 05:45 PM

If subaru is unwilling to work on your car, look up your local Toyota dealership. Sit down with the service manager and explain your situation and that you are willing to pay to have your motor repaired

GWiZ · 03-10-2015, 05:49 PM

Thank you guys for the quick responses... Looks as though you are all right in getting a salvaged motor for a much quicker, cheaper turn around.

The cause of the seize was lack of oil. There was never an oil indication light and the discrepancy was with the maintenance record/proof of. Thus, where we were at a disagreement regarding who would pay for the repairs.

1GiantTurtle · 03-10-2015, 05:51 PM

built 10.5 compression ratio + 20 lbs of boost sounds delicious

BRZnut · 03-10-2015, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWiZ

Thank you guys for the quick responses... Looks as though you are all right in getting a salvaged motor for a much quicker, cheaper turn around.

The cause of the seize was lack of oil. There was never an oil indication light and the discrepancy was with the maintenance record/proof of. Thus, where we were at a disagreement regarding who would pay for the repairs.

I've heard that story around here from other members. Failure from "oil starvation" and if you don't have every oil change done at the dealer, even if you have proof it was done elsewhere, dealer blames the owner.

Glad it worked out for you in the end. But, I wonder instead of replacing with the same engine, which clearly has some issue with oil flow, maybe there are shops that can rebuild a more bullet proof engine?

billwot · 03-10-2015, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWiZ

Thank you guys for the quick responses... Looks as though you are all right in getting a salvaged motor for a much quicker, cheaper turn around.

The cause of the seize was lack of oil. There was never an oil indication light and the discrepancy was with the maintenance record/proof of. Thus, where we were at a disagreement regarding who would pay for the repairs.

...and IMO, probably more trustworthy. I would definitely choose a factory-assembled engine over a "field-built" engine.

N1rve · 03-10-2015, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWiZ

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am in need of some rather quick assistance/advice... Long story short, I have a seized 2013 BRZ from lack of oil. Subaru refused to acknowledge the warranty, lawsuit ensued, and I am here. (With a check from Subaru of course)

Subaru refuses to touch the car now even though I'm willing to pay them for the repair that should have been done in September last year.

What are the best options? I have reached out to a few shops but I am not exactly sure what I "should" do in this situation.

Buy a new motor? Have the short block repaired and have them check the long block for any other damages? Finances aren't the biggest issue but I do not want to continually have to worry about the reliability of the vehicle once I've found a solution. I know there are some serious tinkers and brains on here so I value any input I can get.

Thanks in advance!!

Why are they denying your claim? Is your car heavily modified? Are you burning oil which led to the lack of oil? Did you have all your oil changes done at the dealership? If yes, then probably the technicians didn't add enough oil.

GWiZ · 03-11-2015, 01:49 PM

They were denying the claim due to a missing oil change that was done but apparently never documented Subaru. Thus questions whether it was done or done wrong. There was no leak, no signs of burning, etc. No heavy modifications added either.

The determining factor they didn't want to battle and agreed to settle was the fact the oil light never came on. Not when there was a little missing, a lot missing, or no oil period. I have proof from a reputable shop regarding that as well.

So new motor it is!

Wilso · 03-11-2015, 03:00 PM

I have a feeling doing my own oil change for the second change was a bad idea now..

03-10-2015, 04:09 PM	#1
GWiZ Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 LMT BR-Z Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Seized Motor - Need options/help Ladies and Gentlemen, I am in need of some rather quick assistance/advice... Long story short, I have a seized 2013 BRZ from lack of oil. Subaru refused to acknowledge the warranty, lawsuit ensued, and I am here. (With a check from Subaru of course) Subaru refuses to touch the car now even though I'm willing to pay them for the repair that should have been done in September last year. What are the best options? I have reached out to a few shops but I am not exactly sure what I "should" do in this situation. Buy a new motor? Have the short block repaired and have them check the long block for any other damages? Finances aren't the biggest issue but I do not want to continually have to worry about the reliability of the vehicle once I've found a solution. I know there are some serious tinkers and brains on here so I value any input I can get. Thanks in advance!!

03-10-2015, 04:27 PM	#3
King Tut NASA SpecE30 Racer Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2006 Honda S2000 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 7,279 Thanks: 607 Thanked 5,759 Times in 3,055 Posts Mentioned: 274 Post(s) Tagged: 10 Thread(s)	I would check the junk yards and throw in a good running used motor. Just call it a learning experience and move on with life. __________________ - King Tut Street/Track Car: 2006 Honda S2000 TT3 \|\| Race Car: 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30 \|\| Tow Vehicle: 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Sold Cars: 2012 BMW M3 \|\| 2013 Subaru BRZ \|\| 2012 Porsche Cayman R \|\| 2009 Chevrolet Z06 \|\| 2009 BMW M3 \|\| 2004 BMW M3 \|\| 2004 Nissan 350Z

03-10-2015, 04:38 PM	#5
RobertPaulson Hisnamewasrobertpaulson Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: 2017 Golf R Location: Everywhere and Nowhere Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 1,294 Thanked 827 Times in 473 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	i'm with the rest, find a used engine from a wreck, swap that puppy in and move on. __________________ This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time.

03-10-2015, 05:51 PM	#9
1GiantTurtle Space for Rent Join Date: Apr 2014 Drives: 2014 6MT ToyoBaru86ScionMonogram? Location: Pacific Ocean/SoCal Posts: 1,054 Thanks: 1,000 Thanked 1,136 Times in 526 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	built 10.5 compression ratio + 20 lbs of boost sounds delicious __________________ ToyoBaruScionGT86hachiRokuBRZMonogram Instagram: 86turtle Instagram: 86turtle

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03-10-2015, 04:19 PM	#2
GotBRZ1691 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited 6smt Location: North Bay Posts: 810 Thanks: 478 Thanked 223 Times in 179 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If finances are not a worry and reliability is, engine swap a LSX or a 2JZ Otherwise I'd build a FA20 with all new aftermarket internals so it be ready for boost later on the line

03-10-2015, 04:30 PM	#4
White64Goat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ CBS LTD MT, 02 WRX Location: Fred. Co. Md. Posts: 2,347 Thanks: 65 Thanked 1,111 Times in 627 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Search the junkyards for an engine........

03-10-2015, 05:07 PM	#6
BRZnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: BRZ DGM Limited Location: USA Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 5 Thanked 431 Times in 250 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Care to share any details of how the engine failed???

03-10-2015, 05:45 PM	#7
LavosTRD Toyota Master Tech Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Whiteout MT Location: San Diego Posts: 108 Thanks: 12 Thanked 50 Times in 24 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If subaru is unwilling to work on your car, look up your local Toyota dealership. Sit down with the service manager and explain your situation and that you are willing to pay to have your motor repaired

03-10-2015, 05:49 PM	#8
GWiZ Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 LMT BR-Z Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thank you guys for the quick responses... Looks as though you are all right in getting a salvaged motor for a much quicker, cheaper turn around. The cause of the seize was lack of oil. There was never an oil indication light and the discrepancy was with the maintenance record/proof of. Thus, where we were at a disagreement regarding who would pay for the repairs.

03-11-2015, 01:49 PM	#13
GWiZ Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 LMT BR-Z Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	They were denying the claim due to a missing oil change that was done but apparently never documented Subaru. Thus questions whether it was done or done wrong. There was no leak, no signs of burning, etc. No heavy modifications added either. The determining factor they didn't want to battle and agreed to settle was the fact the oil light never came on. Not when there was a little missing, a lot missing, or no oil period. I have proof from a reputable shop regarding that as well. So new motor it is!

03-11-2015, 03:00 PM	#14
Wilso "Patience young Padawan" Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: 2017 Crystal White BRZ Location: Aurora Posts: 380 Thanks: 270 Thanked 71 Times in 58 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have a feeling doing my own oil change for the second change was a bad idea now..

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