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!!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

built 10.5 compression ratio + 20 lbs of boost sounds delicious

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?

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

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.

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!

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