Has anyone had a warranty claim denied? Seized engine! Pics of teardown added 6/5

[Fast_Freddy]

If the OP had a "tune" he needs to seek warranty repair from the responsible party, not Subaru.

[Stevo22]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

If the OP had a "tune" he needs to seek warranty repair from the responsible party, not Subaru.

Everything about their cars drivetrain was stock. Nothing was replaced or removed. It also did not have any tune on it.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

If the OP had a "tune" he needs to seek warranty repair from the responsible party, not Subaru.

It's also been said that tunes have nothing to do with the DI issue.

[regal]

Originally Posted by Razz

Dam!!!

I have been having problems with my RX8 lately.
On a day where it went from 100 to 101 degrees, driving in traffic with three people, my temps were reaching 200 to 207. that's with the car lowered to the max.

Those temperatures were extremely high compared to what I have normally experienced.

And now I see much higher oil temps on the FRS/BRz. That is not good.

This engine is turning into the Wankel of the decade. The more you study this FA20 you realize how risky the design is with the high compression, sliced up and gasketed together aluminum boxer. Why didn't Toyota just use a slanted I-4 if they wanted lower cog ? We know that these temperature readings just give a single point thermal reading. The area of the injector could be much much higher, heads typically have "pockets" of hot spots.

Apologize for the rant, but I was the biggest Toyota defender when the CEL issue popped up this time last year, I warned folks not to let Scion tear into their engines and wait on an ECU update before there was even a thought of an ECU fix. But this issue is completely different, this is hard physics.

One thing to mention is that the 0W-20 oil is mandatory with this motor now more than ever, less viscosity gives more flow and should equal less heat build up in the pockets of the heads.

If Toyota doesn't step up and give resolution to these issues we should all be budgeting for a new motor when the warranty runs out just like the RX-8 crowd does. And resale will be miserable. Poor resale kills new sales worse than anything so Toyota get on the ball fast or this car will become a big embarrassment.

Unfortunately it will probably be up to us and the aftermarket to make this engine reliable. I am ordering an oil cooler after reading this thread, and the o-ring tool. Probably best bet at this point to pull the injectors inspect/replace o-rings every oil change as a preventive maintenance.

What a shame, I really hope for better from toyota not just for Mike here but the hundreds out there with this issue.

[ft_sjo]

@regal You really should step away from the keyboard. As of yet i've not heard you state anything factual or remotely useful on the subject. Just lots of FUD. You obviously don't know what you're talking about.

If you want me to rip your posts to shreads, just ask.

[regal]

Originally Posted by ft_sjo

@regal You really should step away from the keyboard. As of yet i've not heard you state anything factual or remotely useful on the subject. Just lots of FUD. You obviously don't know what you're talking about.

If you want me to rip your posts to shreads, just ask.

I don't care who is right or wrong just want to see this resolved fast it is very serious. But I'll tell you I've been in the industry a long time, and look thru the CEL thread I called that one a month before anyone.

I admit fully that I am only right about 80% of the time. I have $25k invested in this car so I am concerned and don't buy changing gears "too fast" at 10:1 AFR is the root cause.

Rip my posts to shreds, I'm game.

[ft_sjo]

The seal failure cause has been identified, described and a new calibration is available (at least in some regions, no doubt it will filter down as necessary).

The TSB has been published on this site.

The TSB doesn't talk about any 'heat problems'. It talks about the transient spark strategy.

Other folks have published the actual transient spark tables which show what has changed.

If you don't understand what has been posted/described, then either ask for explanation or just stay quiet instead of rambling on about fictional rubbish.

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by 2forme

It's also been said that tunes have nothing to do with the DI issue.

By who? The tuners? A bad tune can cause lots of issues to DI and other areas..

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Mikem53

By who? The tuners?

I remember reading that the tuners don't/can't touch the part of the calibration that is required to fix the issue from occurring. Otherwise, don't you think they'd be all over advertising a "fix"?

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by 2forme

I remember reading that the tuners don't/can't touch the part of the calibration that is required to fix the issue from occurring. Otherwise, don't you think they'd be all over advertising a "fix"?

I'm fairly certain I've seen a number of tuners claim that the fix is (currently, or will soon be) available in their tunes. @vtmike can likely confirm.

[markitect]

Originally Posted by SkullWorks

BTW you aren't gona find any ceramics that will stretch to get down into the relief where this seal sits.

I was thinking 2 split rings would be an ideal solution, you could even notch them so they stay interlocked.

I also think you could make them out of chrome plated metal, even chromium plated aluminum. I don't see how ceramic would be required.

Here is a sketch, you could of course taper them to match the original collar better, but the idea would be 2 per injector, flip them around so they interlock. And if anybody makes these all I want is a free set for the idea.

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by regal

This engine is turning into the Wankel of the decade. The more you study this FA20 you realize how risky the design is with the high compression, sliced up and gasketed together aluminum boxer. Why didn't Toyota just use a slanted I-4 if they wanted lower cog ? We know that these temperature readings just give a single point thermal reading. The area of the injector could be much much higher, heads typically have "pockets" of hot spots.

Seems like you bought the wrong car.. Maybe a corolla with an aero package would have worked better for you.
Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water here.. There are thousands of FA20s out there running around with no issues. Here we have a couple of examples of track run cars pushed hard to the point of failure. Pioneers if you will.. Obviously there are a couple of areas that need to be fixed and are being addressed by Toyota/sub.. No need to condem these cars and claim the sky is falling. I'm sure we will see the OEMs step up and address these issues. Have a little patience and give the OEMs some time to implement a fix.
I had an early E46 M3.. There were some issues early on with people popping motors at high rpms.. They worked it out.. Not uncommon for new designs to have issues in the real world.. Take a chill pill and let them work it out..
Save the doom and gloom attitude for the democrats..

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Mikem53

By who? The tuners? A bad tune can cause lots of issues to DI and other areas..

While I agree with you here in general, this is happening on stock ECUs so tuners/tunes aren't responsible here...

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

While I agree with you here in general, this is happening on stock ECUs so tuners/tunes aren't responsible here...

Agreed.. Just addressing the fact that tunes can affect DI and can cause lean conditions, high EGTs, etc.. Which can cause similar issues..