Buying a BRZ with open valve spring recall - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Remark00 · 09-08-2019, 07:09 AM

I have been looking at getting a BRZ, with what has been available and within my budget I am lookin at the earlier models. I have found a 2013 BRZ but it has an open recall for the valve springs. What is your guys opinion on this? The only reason I am considering this car is the price. Please let me know what you guys think.
Thanks,

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WNDSRFR · 09-08-2019, 07:41 AM

If it's a good deal, I would go ahead and buy it and forget about the recall. The engine has a much better chance of staying in one piece if you just ignore the recall.

Remark00 · 09-08-2019, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

If it's a good deal, I would go ahead and buy it and forget about the recall. The engine has a much better chance of staying in one piece if you just ignore the recall.

So are people just ignoring the recall altogether? I was trying to look into more information on the recall and all I found was blown motors...

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JesseG · 09-08-2019, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remark00

So are people just ignoring the recall altogether? I was trying to look into more information on the recall and all I found was blown motors...

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From what I’ve read, not firsthand experience, some guys avoid the recall because when the engine is sealed back up it has to be done carefully. Otherwise sealant can break off into the engine, and get stuck in the valves, and cause havoc. A good Subaru shop should be able to do it in their sleep. I’m not as certain about a Toyota service center.

I would probably want a 2013 that hasn’t had the recall done, that way you can decide. I’m not sure how long the recall campaign lasts for though. Good luck finding your FR-S! You will love it.

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DarkPira7e · 09-08-2019, 11:24 PM

These engines do not re-seal easily at all. Get it and avoid the recall at all costs. Unless you're in California, this is possible.

Mr.ac · 09-09-2019, 12:44 AM

If it's a BRZ and the work is done by Subaru there is hardly anything to worry.
However if it's a frs and being done by Toyota, there's shit ton to worry.

Or.... save up a few dollars and get a '15+ and never have to worry about the recall.

humfrz · 09-09-2019, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

If it's a BRZ and the work is done by Subaru there is hardly anything to worry.
However if it's a frs and being done by Toyota, there's shit ton to worry.

Or.... save up a few dollars and get a '15+ and never have to worry about the recall.

Yaaaaa…… one of Mr.ac 's more lucid posts -

humfrz

Will BRZ · 09-09-2019, 01:38 AM

If I was you, I’d definitely save up a bit more money and get one without the recall. I understand sometimes good deals are hard to come by, but to me, it’s worth the peace of mind. A car is a major purchase and I’m sure you’ll be glad you got to avoid the recall mess.

If you’re dead set on getting that one, skip the recall. Good luck hope to see you in a twin soon

Remark00 · 09-09-2019, 02:14 AM

Thanks for the input everyone. I am still going to go check out the 2013 BRZ tomorrow just to kick tires. But more than likely I am going to wait tell I can find a good deal on a 15+ model.

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Spuds · 09-09-2019, 08:10 AM

I'd actually say it is advantageous to have the open recall on a BRZ. If they have to pull the engine anyway, you can get some other maintenance done pretty cheaply. Spark plugs, clutch, TOB, and I'm sure a few other headache items become much less expensive in labor. Or just don't get it done. Mine has not had the recall done and I'm not worried.

If you are going to get a 2015+, just save a bit more and get a 2017+. 2017 brought some worthwhile revisions to the design by my understanding.

humfrz · 09-09-2019, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spuds

I'd actually say it is advantageous to have the open recall on a BRZ. If they have to pull the engine anyway, you can get some other maintenance done pretty cheaply. Spark plugs, clutch, TOB, and I'm sure a few other headache items become much less expensive in labor. Or just don't get it done. Mine has not had the recall done and I'm not worried.

If you are going to get a 2015+, just save a bit more and get a 2017+. 2017 brought some worthwhile revisions to the design by my understanding.

Oh, what the heck, save up even a bit more and get a Supra -

humfrz

Mr.ac · 09-09-2019, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Yaaaaa…… one of Mr.ac 's more lucid posts -

humfrz

Your logic doesn't scare me.

Remark00 · 09-09-2019, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Oh, what the heck, save up even a bit more and get a Supra -

humfrz

I wish, but sadly I’m not made of money yet.

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Remark00 · 09-09-2019, 04:51 PM

Well guys looks like it was not meant to be. I just found out the car sold when I was on my way to go look at it.

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09-08-2019, 07:09 AM	#1
Remark00 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Drives: Location: Phoenix,AZ USA Posts: 19 Thanks: 10 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Buying a BRZ with open valve spring recall I have been looking at getting a BRZ, with what has been available and within my budget I am lookin at the earlier models. I have found a 2013 BRZ but it has an open recall for the valve springs. What is your guys opinion on this? The only reason I am considering this car is the price. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks, Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by Remark00; 09-08-2019 at 07:29 AM.

09-09-2019, 12:44 AM	#6
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If it's a BRZ and the work is done by Subaru there is hardly anything to worry. However if it's a frs and being done by Toyota, there's shit ton to worry. Or.... save up a few dollars and get a '15+ and never have to worry about the recall. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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09-08-2019, 07:41 AM	#2
WNDSRFR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FR-S,GTI Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,155 Thanks: 228 Thanked 823 Times in 419 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If it's a good deal, I would go ahead and buy it and forget about the recall. The engine has a much better chance of staying in one piece if you just ignore the recall.

09-08-2019, 11:24 PM	#5
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,934 Thanks: 3,200 Thanked 4,095 Times in 2,045 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	These engines do not re-seal easily at all. Get it and avoid the recall at all costs. Unless you're in California, this is possible.

09-09-2019, 01:38 AM	#8
Will BRZ Damn that's crazy... Join Date: Oct 2018 Drives: 2015 BRZ Location: Texas Posts: 971 Thanks: 771 Thanked 772 Times in 467 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If I was you, I’d definitely save up a bit more money and get one without the recall. I understand sometimes good deals are hard to come by, but to me, it’s worth the peace of mind. A car is a major purchase and I’m sure you’ll be glad you got to avoid the recall mess. If you’re dead set on getting that one, skip the recall. Good luck hope to see you in a twin soon

09-09-2019, 02:14 AM	#9
Remark00 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Drives: Location: Phoenix,AZ USA Posts: 19 Thanks: 10 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the input everyone. I am still going to go check out the 2013 BRZ tomorrow just to kick tires. But more than likely I am going to wait tell I can find a good deal on a 15+ model. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-09-2019, 08:10 AM	#10
Spuds The Dictater Join Date: Apr 2017 Drives: '13 Red Scion FRS Location: MD, USA Posts: 9,432 Thanks: 26,115 Thanked 12,433 Times in 6,148 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'd actually say it is advantageous to have the open recall on a BRZ. If they have to pull the engine anyway, you can get some other maintenance done pretty cheaply. Spark plugs, clutch, TOB, and I'm sure a few other headache items become much less expensive in labor. Or just don't get it done. Mine has not had the recall done and I'm not worried. If you are going to get a 2015+, just save a bit more and get a 2017+. 2017 brought some worthwhile revisions to the design by my understanding.

09-09-2019, 04:51 PM	#14
Remark00 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Drives: Location: Phoenix,AZ USA Posts: 19 Thanks: 10 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Well guys looks like it was not meant to be. I just found out the car sold when I was on my way to go look at it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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