Engine failure - 38,000 miles

[Kuros]

My bet is also on a spun bearing.

Its what subarus do best!

[polarstorm]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

With as loud as I play my music, my engine could shit a piston out the side and I doubt I'd ever hear it.

that's what happened to me. lol.

[Dmitri]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

Ah, so they claimed that your FI setup killed the engine?

Didn't even bother with them, picked up low mileage long block from a smashed car for 2500. Going to build mine later. I called dealer told them what was done to the car, they said I can bring it in but the head service guy said he was 99% sure subaru corporate would reject any warranty repairs and there's nothing the dealer can do about it.

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by Monogram

The cooling system directly affects the base engine. The intake tubes directly affect the base engine. The electronics directly affect the base engine. Damage to any or all of these systems can cause base engine failure.

It's very odd that out of all of the engine failures posted on this forum, I have not seen one that was an unmodified or undamaged vehicle.

Anyone?

There were a handful of cars that blew up as they drove off the lot. One had under 10 miles.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Monogram

The cooling system directly affects the base engine. The intake tubes directly affect the base engine. The electronics directly affect the base engine. Damage to any or all of these systems can cause base engine failure.

It's very odd that out of all of the engine failures posted on this forum, I have not seen one that was an unmodified or undamaged vehicle.

Anyone?

I recall at least three off the top of my head that were completely stock vehicles engine failures and I know more have been posted.

[bakerr6]

hmm I've been having a rattle that I thought was due to the exhaust. it sounds like it's coming from under the car, and not from the motor. I guess I'll have to try and diagnose it later on this week.

I let it sit for about a week and it started to act up. This is really good timing, as I plan on boosting the car very shortly. I could use a fresh motor.

[zoth]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Sorry about your car OP.

Still $14k of collision damage could have netted some impact on the engine that was not diagnosed during the original repair. This one I wouldn't lump with other failures on that reason alone.

I agree, something was overlooked during the repair or not put back the same OEM way.

Engine mount comes into my mind

[Mr 286]

I think people want a "warm and fuzzy" that these cars absolutely don't have potential major defects, but I can attest that they do have potential issues.

Regardless of the excellent job collision authority did fixing my car, there have been many other issues I experienced before the accident. I forgot to mention that I already had a bad ignition coil replaced due to a CEL, and a bad pilot bearing replaced as well as the clutch disc (figured I might as well since the transmission was out). I've had several rattles and clinks well before the accident as well. I'm also beginning to wonder if this motor suffers oil cavitation issues during hard cornering based on other people's posts.

I love this car, but in my opinion, I'd feel a lot better if Toyota had just put a good inline 4 in this car. I've had a lot worse, but I've also had better.


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[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Stories like this really make me hesitant to boost the twins

Originally Posted by BRZnut

I feel the same way. Everyone says a proper tune will make a boost "safe" but I don't buy it after reading about engine failures like this one (if that is what it turns out to be)

Listen, nothing in this world is perfect. You should never boost a car on a limited budget. There will always be the potential to blow it up. I can attest this motor is pretty stout. I'm pushing 500 whp right now, with a few dyno passes at 550 whp... It's a play to play game so if you are not ready to face the consequences of the motor breaking and having to pay for it, don't boost it.

I can vouch that a safe tune and mild boost should be handled no problem by this engine.

Originally Posted by Monogram

Please post the links. I have looked around, but I have yet to find even one.

Even if you are correct and there are three at this site, it is still way below any abnormal failure rate.

It is still very odd that every single blown engine posted over the last many months are 100% associated with modified and wrecked vehicles.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60047

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1537873

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19064

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54200

[Mr 286]

Update from the dealer: Toyota approved them to order me a new short block and replace it under warranty.


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[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Listen, nothing in this world is perfect. You should never boost a car on a limited budget. There will always be the potential to blow it up. I can attest this motor is pretty stout. I'm pushing 500 whp right now, with a few dyno passes at 550 whp... It's a play to play game so if you are not ready to face the consequences of the motor breaking and having to pay for it, don't boost it.

I can vouch that a safe tune and mild boost should be handled no problem by this engine.

I nominate this for "2014 post of the year" simply because the amount of pure truth and honesty, and relative lack of bias. Well done, sir!

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60047

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1537873

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19064

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54200

Based on your sampling of posts there, it looks like your first link is related to this thread, the rest would appear to be unrelated to this specific problem. Some due to a manufacturing defect (it happens) and others due to the dreaded cam shaft CEL. I'm no statistician, but it looks more like we're hearing from a few isolated cases and and assuming all our engines are going to grenade sooner than later.

[jwbrocloud]

Originally Posted by Stierzy34

To add to the list, with no specific details, there is a 13 BRZ at a local dealership with 38,000 miles. When I asked about it, they said it needed to go into the shop because of significant engine problems.

Kind of weird that the 40k mark is seeing some problems.

Getting a little nervous myself. I'm at 42k right now myself. Have done all my oil changes myself and haven't had any issues but I may stop into the dealer this weekend for a check up.

[Annahra]

I would be concerned if all of the issues seemed related to a specific failure point, but other than the idle/CEL issue which seems to be resolved, there's no consistency.

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[JDMenrique]

dude that sucks...

this is the main reason why i'm not going FI til after my warrantee is expired.