valve spring recall - dealer experience

[FRS Johnny]

Anyone not able to register their car due to the recall?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by FRS Johnny

Anyone not able to register their car due to the recall?

Yes, in CA people have reported issues trying to do it without the recall.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by FRS Johnny

Anyone not able to register their car due to the recall?

Couldn't do it without the recall.

[NARFALICIOUS]

Anytime a recall comes out and you're due for registration soon, just get registered, even if it's early.
It takes a minute for the manufacturer to notify the State of CA about the recall, you could have a small window to get it done and worry about the recall a bit later.

Obv this is already too late for the valve springs, but just saying in case for the future

[FRS Johnny]

What happens for the people who had the recall and blew a motor out of warranty. And now they swapped engines with a newer one? How do you even register the car then?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by FRS Johnny

What happens for the people who had the recall and blew a motor out of warranty. And now they swapped engines with a newer one? How do you even register the car then?

You would have to show the paper trail that the engine installed is either compliant with, or not affected by, the recall. That should be very possible with the engine serial number.

Now, I'm saying that as someone who lives outside CA, so I suppose it could be more complicated than that, but I don't know how it could be.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Update - Got the car back. Pretty quick turnaround, about 2 days. So far it's running smoothly with no engine lights. Nothing to report really except a strong coolant smell, but I'm sure that'll burn off quickly.

They said the TOB was on its way out, but wanted $200 to replace it so I passed. I've got an Exedy stage 1 clutch with LFW ready to go in, so I'll replace the TOB then and throw in a stronger clutch fork.

I'll post an update after 1000 miles but so far so good.

Coming up on 3000 miles since the recall. No problems so far. I've done some pretty hard drives through the canyons and the engine hasn't missed a beat. Only thing I've done on it was replace the oil and filter at 1000 miles.

Went ahead and scheduled a track day in a few weeks. I'll report back afterwards, but I'm feeling pretty good about the work done on the engine.

[FRS Johnny]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

You would have to show the paper trail that the engine installed is either compliant with, or not affected by, the recall. That should be very possible with the engine serial number.

Now, I'm saying that as someone who lives outside CA, so I suppose it could be more complicated than that, but I don't know how it could be.

Sounds simple enough. But its CA who knows what other hoops I'll have to jump through lol! But I will see what the DMV says when they fully open back up.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Coming up on 3000 miles since the recall. No problems so far. I've done some pretty hard drives through the canyons and the engine hasn't missed a beat. Only thing I've done on it was replace the oil and filter at 1000 miles.

Went ahead and scheduled a track day in a few weeks. I'll report back afterwards, but I'm feeling pretty good about the work done on the engine.

Probably my last update here. Engine ran great at the open track day. Total was about 4 hrs of track time in 100-105 F temps with no problems. This engine is in the clear in my books. Glad to have this recall behind me now and looking forward to many miles with this engine.

[Thaeyo]

Also for anyone else curious. I'm 20k miles in since recall back in 2019. Did oil changes first 2-3k miles, then once more at 5-6k miles to check for metal shavings/buildup. Been good ever since, car even idles quieter than before recall.

[FTEIGHTSIX]

Don't go to Timmons Subaru in Long Beach.


My motor blew 3 years ago (found out later that it was a tuning malfunction but thats another story). I let it sit. Heard there was a recall and inquired with SoA for consultation. They said the dealership will see if it was related and scheduled me an appointment. I got to the dealership, notified them of the case number that I was provided by SoA and they acted like they had no clue, even though the representative from SoA called them to confirm the appointment.

They took my car in and it sat for 2 weeks before they called me to say the motor was inoperable. I thought this was apparent because I had the car towed in, had SoA explain the situation, and also explained the situation to the service writer. They said I needed to take the car back because they cant perform the recall. I went above them and contacted SoA to try to mediate the situation. I then argued with them, then SoA about doing their due diligence in looking into the reason behind engine failure.

Fast forward one more week. Timmons Subaru stated that my rocker arms were ejected from the valve springs and it threw a rod. I argued with Timmons and SoA about whether this was related to the recall since the rocker arms come in direct contact with the valve springs to no avail. It seems whatever Timmons told SoA was definitive in NOT covering the repair or replacement of the motor.

I needed to pick the car up and bring it back...running.
When it was time to pick up the car, they did not bring it to the front.
I had to go to their back lot with a towing company to drive through all their new car inventory and put the car on the flatbed with the driver.

Fast forward another few weeks...
I found a long block, bought it, rebuilt the motor myself, and brought it back.
They performed the recall, but took 6 weeks when others took only 1 week.

It has been approximately 4 months since getting my car back and I keep finding issues.
Including but not limited to:
1. They crossthreaded my oil pan and ruined my magnetic oil drain plug.
2. They were missing gaskets on my entire exhaust, when I knowingly bought new OEM gaskets from the head all the way to the cat back and installed them all before sending my car in.
3. One of the motor to chassis grounds was not re-connected.
4. They did not make any mention of the intake backfire that my car was producing due to faulty direct injector seals.

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure there's more.

When I diagnosed the faulty injector seals, I called Timmons Subaru and the service writer told me to bring it in. I brought it back to them and they took my car in for a week before calling me. To my surprise, the service manager Miguel, despite not laying any fault on their end for the reason for repair and stating that I would pay for everything related to the DI seal replacement, vetoed my service and rejected any future service because I went over his head for them to do their due diligence during the recall.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU AVOID THIS DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE.

[Silverfox]

Frank Subaru
San Diego, CA

1. How long did the repair take?
2 weeks (due to Edelbrock supercharger and other mods)

2. Was a courtesy car provided for the duration of the repair?
Yes, brand new Subaru Outback

3. What other parts were replaced with no additional labor (spark plug, etc)?
None.

3. What other parts were replaced with additional labor?
Cam Carrier was leaking: Resealed and replaced Cam Carrier, Cam Caps, and Valve Covers, replaced spark plugs (Charged for labor but at a reduced rate).

4. Was the dealer mod-friendly?
Yes, did all work with Edelbrock Supercharger, JR Dual Radiator Oil Cooler, Delicious E-85 kit, and Dual Catch Cans.

5. Did they know what they were doing? lol
The Deaalership has done three BRZs with Edelbrocks and two with JR Superchargers. I'm at 1000 miles and one canyon run after an oil change. So far no engine issues and customer service was excellent.

One issue: Reinstalled oil cooler hose too close to a belt and I had to go in and adjust. Easy fix.

I will update once I hit 5,000 miles plus.

[HSC]

Longo Toyota, El Monte, CA

1. How long did the repair take? 1.5 days
2. Was a courtesy car provided for the duration of the repair? Yes, 2 days rental. *2020 Corolla LE is very nice for a base vehicle*
3. What other parts were replaced with no additional labor (spark plug, etc)? Yes, spark plugs and new TOB.
3. What other parts were replaced with additional labor? Additional labor for TOB. Believe it was .5 hrs of labor (~$30).
4. Was the dealer mod-friendly? I have a fairly stock set up with the only mods that would maybe impact the service being Forester Oil cooler, strut bar, Master cylinder brace. They didn’t make an issue of any of these mods.
5. Did they know what they were doing? Yes, pretty pleased but only about 300 miles since the recall done. So far only gripe is wish they replaced the oil filter while at it but no big deal.

[richestray]

Next week I will be moving to Irvine from Atlanta and I am seeing that I will need to get the valve spring recall done on my 2013 BRZ. Where is the best dealership to visit to get this done?