Quote:
Originally Posted by *Axel
Since when is removing an oil pan "altering" or "tampering" with the engine? And who started this fearmongering BS? Are you both recommending that people not check an oil screen that's known to be getting clogged due to a faulty manufacturing process? Whoever is pushing this idea seems to have an agenda to influence people to let their engines be ruined by not bothering to even check for a known problem that could lead to catastrophic engine failure.
This is extremely bad and irresponsible advice. Drive it hard and let it blow, really? If you document it and take pictures, with other video and image documentation all over the internet, you're saying they will deny warranty claims just because you removed an oil pan yourself?
A screen is not meant to stay obstructed/clogged permanantly with debris.
Even IF removing an oil pan could be considered "altering or tampering with the engine," which I challenge as BS, the faulty manufacturing process causing the oil pickup screen to be clogged prematurely and frequently makes null and void that line item in the warranty pertaining to access and remedy of said problem. Also, it seems farfetched to say that reapplying RTV sealant that was put on wrong at the factory in the first place is "altering or tampering with the engine." With all the pictures and video of sloppy application of RTV, and RTV found in pickup screen and oil filter, they have little to no legs to stand on there.
A warranty is not a writ of a dictator. If something about it isn't fair or just, it would not hold up under scrutiny of law.
Further, I highly doubt either Subaru or Toyota would want or expect anyone to not try to remedy a known issue that could lead to catastrophic engine failure.
On the flip side, there could be tremendous liability issues if someone were to get hurt trying to access and unclog a screen known to be caused by faulty manufacturing process that potentially leads to catastrophic engine failure.
This is a very serious issue.
So tell me, has there been instance of anyone on social media or anywhere else, that removed the oil pan and found no RTV debris in the oil pickup screen? I don't recall seeing any. If everyone looking is finding it, this indicates the problem is very wide spread.
No, I am not a lawyer or an automotive engineer. I'm not giving advice, just calling out BS.
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I am not convinced you did read the whole thread. Or at least not the whole of each post.
The discussion about warranty denial, specifically for removing, the pan is relevant and necessary. We have already seen denial of warranty for "tampering" many. many times in the past. Hell, there were warranty denials on engines where Subaru techs were the ones that reapplied sealant! To ignore the subject because your opinion is different would be irresponsible.
All I have said was that the LAW on the subject gives them the ability to deny warranty if the engine has been altered by an unauthorized person. This is a fact not an opinion. That does not mean that all dealers WILL deny warranty but it does mean they CAN. Of course you can can argue it but as you said you are not an engineer nor a lawyer whereas Toyota/Subaru has thousands of both. If they want to play hardball on the subject they are going to win no matter what your thoughts on what is "fair". This is not "fear mongering" but simple risk assessment. If you open up your engine you RISK warranty denial. Plain and simple. The even worse part is that removing the blockage on it's own is no guarantee that you have resolved the whole issue.
Not sure how the people that say just drive it and if it blows seek warranty (I have never said that) all of sudden turns into as "an agenda to influence people to let their engines be ruined". It is a valid option even if it is the worst case one.