[MuseChaser]

Well, I went to visit my FRS at the dealership today (had left my garage door opener in it when I dropped it off) and finally got a chance to talk w/ their master tech at length about my car. I'm starting a new thread because, although my major problems seemed to begin after the recall work was done, the discussion I had with the tech today has got me pondering thoughts about the engine in general, outside of the recall issues...


Background - 2013 FR-S, 71K miles on it, fully stock except for K&N air filter. Other than scheduled maintenance, the only other work done has been resealing of the cam coverplate by dealership twice (failed both times, so i got their blessing to replace it myself w/ the Raceseng plate and it's been bone dry ever since), and resealing of the timing chain cover at about 55K miles. The recall work was done at 71K miles.



OK.. Today, tech tells me that when he did the work for the recall, he noticed some metal shavings in the oil and some scoring on cam and bearing surfaces that concerned him. He checked with Subaru folks and was told that was normal for these engines, and that it was OK to go ahead and complete the valve spring procedure, so he did. 570 miles later... lots of problems. I saw the engine today; he used the correct sealant, and I saw no evidence of over- or incorrect application. He showed me the worn bearings and pictures of the scored camshafts. He and the service manager went to bat for me and a new engine is forthcoming, and I'M NOT posting this to throw shade at my dealership.. they seem to be going out of their way to do right by me.



Here's the question.. according to what he told me, these engines are known for having oil circulation issues, and that they're stacked up like cordwood at Subaru dealerships. The 60 bajillion dollar question is.... IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THAT? He complimented me on how obviously I take great care of my car, that mine is a prime example of a perfectly cared for stock vehicle, that my clutch was still in excellent condition, and that obviously the vehicle had never been abused. I got lucky, in a sick way, this time because the engine isn't going to cost me anything. However, if this engine design is known to wear to this point after 70K, I'm not interested in this car for the long haul.



Some more interesting data.. got my oil analysis back today. This is on oil that had been in the engine for 620 miles, post-recall. Interesting deviations from the norm (oil after 4800 miles according to Blackstone) are as follows...keep in mind the oil only had 620 miles on it...


Iron: 36 - norm is 10
Silicon: 81 - norm is 22
Magnesium: 485 - norm is 268


Also interesting is the note I got from Blackstone; I had included a note when I sent in the sample that it was 620 miles after having valve spring work done. Here's the note, verbatim, that they sent with the results:


"...Metals and silicon are high in this sample, but wear-in is probably to blame at this point, and with that in mind, we'll just look for improvements as the wear-in washes out. ... You probably don't need to change this oil out yet, but it woudln't hurt to do so as that'll help wash the wear-in stuff out faster."


What wear-in?!? Are they suggesting that the high metal count is typical wear-in from new valve springs? Certainly could be.. I don't know enough to guess either way. Hoping that some of you experts can weigh in.



As a point of comparison, I did an oil/filter change in our 2005 Land Cruiser w/ 140K miles on it before doing a 2600 mile road trip over the last two weeks. I checked the oil when we got home.. hadn't burned a drop, and it's still pale honey-colored and clear. The oil I drained after 620 miles in my post-recall FRS was dark, dark, Guiness-brown.



I really DO trust the guys at the dealership. They've taken great care of us for a long time, and I didn't even buy this car, or any other vehicle, from them. Is there anything to their opinion of this engine, objectively? I know we all love this car.. but... ?