Failure After J02 Recall - Discussion Threads

[Sur]

So glad I don’t live in Cali. When I bough mine 3 weeks ago, I was worried for days. Then after reading up on it for those days, I came to the conclusion (with some advice from the community) not to do the recall. And ever since then, I couldn’t be more happy. Of course there is a piece of me that still has a slight worry, but overall, I’m happy with the decision. I’m at 68k, and I guess if I had much lower miles I’d be more worried but I think if something was going to happen, it would have already happened before I bought it. And obviously if I lived in Cali I’d either have traded it in already or done the recall since you have to do so to register it. But thankfully that’s not the case. Motor sounds great, drives great, couldn’t ask for more. 99% of my driving, even when I push it hard, I’m not concerned. Only time I have any thought of something bad happening is when I hit the freeway. If something is gonna happen and I lose power, I’d rather it not be on the freeway. So that’s probably why I get those thoughts. But hey, what are ya gonna do? If that’s what happens, it is what it is. But I feel for ya, all the signs point to recall = catastrophic meltdown. Hope your motor holds up brother!

[redwood9d]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Keep an eye on your oil. Hopefully you had competent work done. What dealer did you have your recall work completed at?

I've been watching my oil like a hawk; temps are fine and I haven't needed to top off since! I got mine done at DCH Brunswick in NJ, I can give you the service advisor's name if you'd like. I got it in writing that my recall work was going to be done by one of their techs who've worked with boxers a significant amount of time, I also made sure they never did a recall which resulted in an engine failure

[redwood9d]

Originally Posted by DarkSideFRS

Oh, it's def coming. Never fails

It's been 5800 miles, give or take, and I've been redlining it like crazy; should I really be concerned at this point?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by redwood9d

It's been 5800 miles, give or take, and I've been redlining it like crazy; should I really be concerned at this point?

It's probably fine. Send a sample for analysis the next oil change. Write a note about the circumstances. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

[redwood9d]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

It's probably fine. Send a sample for analysis the next oil change. Write a note about the circumstances. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

Hey! I've always wanted to send my oil in for analysis, thanks!

[precurse]

I've had my BRZ's used oil analyzed done for years and haven't had any concerns come up at all.

Then last year I had the recall work done. I was worried about the outcome if it hadn't, since I already had put it off. It's been barely over 3000KM since I had the work done (I haven't driven much during the pandemic), and then I had a full rod failure yesterday. Total mileage is ~86,000KM. I had it towed to shop that performed the recall, and they're telling me this has nothing to do with the recall work because they have an "easy process to replace the valve springs".

I was quoted $8000CDN (best case), or $13000 worst case to fix this. Sigh.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by precurse

I've had my BRZ's used oil analyzed done for years and haven't had any concerns come up at all.

Then last year I had the recall work done. I was worried about the outcome if it hadn't, since I already had put it off. It's been barely over 3000KM since I had the work done (I haven't driven much during the pandemic), and then I had a full rod failure yesterday. Total mileage is ~86,000KM. I had it towed to shop that performed the recall, and they're telling me this has nothing to do with the recall work because they have an "easy process to replace the valve springs".

I was quoted $8000CDN (best case), or $13000 worst case to fix this. Sigh.

UGH! That's too bad -

You might want to look around for another engine -

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by precurse

I've had my BRZ's used oil analyzed done for years and haven't had any concerns come up at all.

Then last year I had the recall work done. I was worried about the outcome if it hadn't, since I already had put it off. It's been barely over 3000KM since I had the work done (I haven't driven much during the pandemic), and then I had a full rod failure yesterday. Total mileage is ~86,000KM. I had it towed to shop that performed the recall, and they're telling me this has nothing to do with the recall work because they have an "easy process to replace the valve springs".

I was quoted $8000CDN (best case), or $13000 worst case to fix this. Sigh.

they never stand behind it. The valve spring replacement isn’t the problem it’s the timing cover that needs to come off and go back on without getting silicone in the motor.

Do not let the same shop do the work. Find a competent Subaru independent shop to do it. New oem shortblock turn key will be about 7k

[Ultramaroon]

On second thought, I think there might be benefit to getting a UOA immediately after the work and then, I dunno, 100, 500, 1000 miles in. Look for changes in the same oil fill. It's hard data for super cheap.

[Sur]

Yikes that’s terrible to hear. I read that some people have taken it to Toyota corporate level and had some success. Might be worth a try. I certainly would. This is why I am not getting the recall. I’d rather have something go wrong from my own negligence than some mechanic that isn’t gonna stand behind their work.

[precurse]

Originally Posted by Sur

Yikes that’s terrible to hear. I read that some people have taken it to Toyota corporate level and had some success. Might be worth a try. I certainly would. This is why I am not getting the recall. I’d rather have something go wrong from my own negligence than some mechanic that isn’t gonna stand behind their work.

Smart move. I really shouldn't have got it done (my gut feeling was to not do it), but I kept getting notices from Subaru to get it done. If I had read this forum last year before getting the work done, I would likely have held off.

I will escalate with Subaru corporate. If I get nowhere with the repair shop or corporate, I may look at hiring a local shop to partially take the engine apart to see if there is silicone sealant anywhere in the oil. I don't trust the Subaru shop to check this.

[precurse]

Originally Posted by humfrz

UGH! That's too bad -

You might want to look around for another engine -

That's the plan if I have to. it can be difficult to source a used engine around here though. I will keep my eyes open, since I do still enjoy the car. But if the repair may likely cost $13K CDN, and it's $16K to just buy (or sell) another one, it makes it hard to justify those repair costs.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by TommyW

they never stand behind it. The valve spring replacement isn’t the problem it’s the timing cover that needs to come off and go back on without getting silicone in the motor.

Do not let the same shop do the work. Find a competent Subaru independent shop to do it. New oem shortblock turn key will be about 7k

Did you get the new motor? Impressions?

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Did you get the new motor? Impressions?

yes. Used the IAG shortblock though. Used an awesome shop to do the build. Not cheap but worth it to me.