Background info:
The CSG BRZ suffered from the injector seal failure that is frequently mentioned. Here are some threads regarding that.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36129
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...73&postcount=5
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VnFa2IvNs9g"]Frs popping noise when given throttle free revving or cruising, rolling on throttle to pass. - YouTube[/ame]
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...light=warranty
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...light=warranty
We were getting the misfire, but had no CEL until the was dead. The symptoms showed up in the following order:
- Misfire/popping
- Rough idle
- Unable to hold idle, misfiring on idle dip
- Siezed/dead engine (no holes in engine or anything...)
This is not the first time we've had the misfire/popping. We've actually had a full engine replacement last year when the original engine had the same initial symptom. At that time, we had taken the car in to Irvine Subaru; they were very accommodating of the unusual symptom on our car. This time around, Palm Springs Subaru (Desert Subaru?) was the closest dealer, and were told over the phone that we would need a CEL before we came in to avoid a diagnostic fee that would be need to paid out of pocket. They were unwilling to diagnose the symptom, even though it was thoroughly explained over the phone.
After the engine died, we had the car towed back to our original dealer, Irvine Subaru. They are, of course, at the mercy of the tech line, and per Subaru of America, they asked for a service record on our car, which was provided. They then proceeded to take off the oil pan per Subaru's instructions, and at that point, we were informed that there was "metal all over the place" and that the engine would not be warrantied due to track use.
Contact with Subaru of America was initiated, and the exchange was unfortunately unproductive. In short, they are denying us warranty coverage because the car was "used for racing".
At this point, I'd like to point out Subaru's marketing materials.
http://www.media.subaru.com/newsrele...id=190&mid=127
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With 2+2 seating and a folding rear seat, there is sufficient cargo space to transport four race tires and tools to track days.
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Quote:
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Seeking a pure sports car for road and track driving, Subaru followed a purist approach to engineering the 2013 BRZ.
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A standard Torsen® limited-slip differential helps the inside wheel maintain traction during hard cornering. For track driving, the standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) stability and traction control system (TCS) offers the driver five different settings, including a Sport mode and a TCS Off switch for track driving activities.
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Drivers who enjoy slalom or track events can also fold the rear seatback and have room for four wheels, a helmet and basic supplies and still have room for the front passenger.
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The five-mode driver-selectable Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system and traction control system allows the driver the tailor the system to conditions and performance needs; stability and traction control can be disengaged for track driving events, for example.
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Here's an e-mail from the Subaru of America rep that our case was escalated to.
Quote:
Irvine Subaru can show you the metal throughout the engine. Again, our position in regards to this failure is that it is a result of the vehicle not being driven as the design intended. We have found evidence to indicate this vehicle was raced at Willow Springs International Raceway and the damage to the engine is indicative of racing. We need to reiterate that Subaru of America’s position is the engine failure is not a matter for warranty, it is a customer pay issue and our position is not going to change. We are sorry this is not that answer you may have expected.
Bill
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According to the marketing materials and press release, Subaru seems to imply that the car is designed for track days. We're certainly not RACING; the car doesn't meet the safety requirements form any sanctioned racing, and does not see that type of activity. Both the engine and all safety components are and always have been stock.
Is our car driven hard? Most certainly. Do we track it? Of course! Have we done anything to alter the parameters of the drivetrain? Absolutely not. We're using the car as designed, at least, according to their press materials.
Quote:
We would disagree that the vehicle taken to the track is irrelevant. A situation such as this is noted on Page 7 of our Warranty and Maintenance Booklet that came with the vehicle.
Damaged Caused Due to Use of Vehicle in Competitive Events
These warranties do not cover damage to any component that is the result of operating the vehicle in any competition or racing event.
Irvine Subaru can show you the engine damage. It is our position that the metal throughout the engine is due to racing the vehicle. As previously indicated our position in this matter is not going to change and we are not offering financial assistance towards the repairs.
Bill
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Is this warranty coverage denial justified?
*edit*
Pics of a repair order on a FR-S that had the same problem
[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/nismo350z/Scion%20FRS/250396D5-7246-48AD-89FB-***E27D2B313-1032-00000132D6BCC474_zps686e4a0a.png[/IMG]
Pics of damaged Injectors/seals from another car
Quick update.
Apparently our cats are both destroyed. Now what could cause that....? I'll be dropping by the dealer on Monday to get more pictures of the additional teardown. Someone else at Subaru of America (not Bill, the rep I was talking to) authorized more teardown.
*edit*
More damaged injectors from another car
*edit*
It seems one cat MELTED a bit (has a pretty good sized "dent" in it, but it's smooth), and the other cat is falling apart.
Pics from teardown
Engine from the bottom. Connecting rod on cyl 2 has seen some heat...
Engine from the front
Cylinders 2 and 4
Damaged collar (next 3 photos are on the same "pair" of injectors)
Collar completely gone and injector... scorched?
Another angle
Other two injectors. This one is a bit damaged as well
Oil pan...
*edit 8/22/13*
More problems in japan
http://minkara.carview.co.jp/en/user...blog/30522262/
(use google translate)