2013 Valve Spring recall - modified (FI) engine thread
 

I got my valve spring recall letter last week for my 2013 BRZ. I have the Edelbrock supercharger on it, and being in California, will be forced to have this recall work performed or else I won't be able to register it.

I don't think the Subaru letter stated the policy about engine modifications, but if it's like the Toyota policy the customer will be charged for removal/re-installation of modified parts that affect the recall work (if they even agree to do it). That could cost a lot, depending on what FI system we have installed.

I'm waiting a while for my dealer to get familiar with the recall work before bringing it in, but I thought I'd start a thread for owners in a similar situation (forced induction on recall list) to share their experiences.

One of my local dealers also owns a speed shop so they’re used to seeing heavily modified Subarus. I’ll give them a call and see what they recommend. I really don’t want to uninstall my Vortech. If I’m forced to go down that path, I’m likely not going to bother putting it back in and will just take everything back to stock to prepare for a sale.

Call them first! Almost all the dealers where I'm at require back to stock (or at least no FI) as it is extra labor they should not be responsible for.

I've talked to Buena Park Toyota and they said the car has to be in stock form. I'm removing my turbo and then bringing it in. Sucks but i rather do this uninstall/reinstall than worry about the springs detonating.

This is how I feel exactly. I don't love the car enough any more to spend 2 weekends working on it to get at exactly where I am now.

That really sucks if the dealer won't do it even if we pay for it - basically forcing us to pay to get it removed/reinstalled if we can't do it ourselves. I don't have the tools to do it myself and it's not going to be cheap to remove and reinstall.

They are not "forcing" you to do anything. You chose to modify the car and that implies you accepted all responsibility when such things happen. They are only paid to do so much work and should not be expected to do more for free. I would still talk to your specific dealer and see what they have to say though. Just because some won't do it doesn't mean they all won't. Either way it is going to cost you if you can not do it yourself.

Going FI was a choice on my part, but this is a pre-existing condition that would have influenced that choice. I'm not expecting the dealer to do the additional work for free, but to at least accept the work (which I'd pay for).

I do feel like I'm being forced into a corner because in order to register the car in CA, the recall work has to be done. I don't have the option of not having the recall work done if I want to keep the car.

Yep that is why I said check with your dealer. There has to be some that would like the extra income to do the work.
I hear ya on the Ca thing. That does sort of put your back up against the wall. Would you not have to pass emissions to sell it or would that be the buyer's problem?

Smog is on the seller in California. Actually illegal to sell without a current smog cert.

Don’t know if that’s 100% true, i’ve had a recall on a work leased vehicle for years for ignition problems and it still registered fine. I can see the problem if its emissions related but this recall shouldnt have any effect on your registration.

If you read the letter, it is considered emissions related.

Ah okay then. I havent recieved mine so awaiting for it. Thanks!

Well..... I already got my car back for the valve spring recall. I have a Sprintex SC on it with out the heat exchanger installed. Yeah, they charged me a 3 hour flat fee for labor because of it. They had to pull my SC so that they could use the tapped hole up front meant to be used to pull the engine. Not to mention the back of the SC was in the way of where the chain would be attached. But you know what, so be it. I didn't have to put in any wrench time and I was complimented by the mechanic doing the job saying that I did a fine job modifying my car as it still looks stock, but obviously is more than stock.