2017 BRZ Cracks on Timing Cover is this normal?
 

This is on a new 2017 BRZ Limited manual with 1050 miles on it.
Is this normal? See all the cracks on the timing cover? It's on the the other half of the cover as well.
The cracks are rough. When I tried wiping it down with a blue shop towel it was tearing the towel. I don't remember seeing anything like this on any car I owned before.

Looks like a flaw from the cast.

I have the exact same on mine as well, just saw it the other day. I have 2016 with 10k on it. Not sure if it's a good, bad or doesn't matter thing.

Typical pour casting surface after cooling.
The outside doesn't need to be smooth so they don't bother machining it.
As long as there is no water or oil seeping out, it's a reflection of the low price paid for a new twin.

That is pretty lousy if they just left it unfinished. Not the typical quality that I expect from a Japanese car.

^This, if there's a leak, bring it back to dealership and get it replaced.

I'll double check mine, but I think it was pretty smooth.

Yeah, I'm surprised to see these kind of thing now days. I know Subaru doesn't have a high quality... but this is pretty bad.

American engine blocks were all sand cast and left rough on the outside since forever.
Only a few specialty billet machined blocks have ever been produced (relative to stock).
You can spend the time to file it all pretty, or you can pay a much higher price for the new vehicle.

My Alfa engine block from the 70's looked like this on the outside too.
They were considered cheap cars back then as well. Didn't stop them from being fun to drive.

Yeah this is fairly typical of any cast aluminium piece. No need to machine the exterior of a timing cover. It isn't for decoration.

Just don't do that no more ....... that part don't need wiped off.

Like others have said ..... as long as it ain't leaken .... no problem.

;)


humfrz

Ha! I wanted to see if the cracks were just water stains. The engine was still hot so I didn't want to touch it with my fingers.

No leaks, so I should be good. :cheers:

Damm now Ima have to check mine out and see.......probably look the same.
As others have stated no leaks no problems


22R

Why is this bad exactly? Do you have any idea how much MORE cost would be added to that part if they machined the entire outside surface, instead of just the mating surfaces?

My first job when I left the army was at an aluminum casting plant. I believe the covers are die cast not sand cast but it can be very hard to tell sometimes. Either way surface checking like the picture shows is from the mold binging slightly cold. It only affects the outer surface and happens every time there is a delay in a pour. Nothing to worry about since it just means the casting was made early in the shift or right after a break.

Function wise, nothing wrong. Visual wise, pretty bad. Japanese brand used to worry about these small things. That’s what made Japanese car quality standard different than other country’s cars.