Good Subaru dlrshp for RTV inspection, east coast?

[ZDan]

I’m going to have someone drop the oil pan to inspect for and remove RTV, would be nice to have a Subaru dealership do this to ensure no warranty loss and also figure if they find anything it could be covered under warranty. I’m about to take a road trip from RI to MS, looking for any known good Subie dealerships to consider getting this done. Return trip will be Laurel MS, B’ham, ATL, Raleigh, and up 95 back to RI, or possibly 81 thru Virginia.

Let me know if anyone has had a good experience with a dealer doing this. Thanks!

[soundman98]

i feel like this is a really horrible thing to do in the middle of a road trip. do it after the road trip, locally. that way if they find anything, you're not reorganizing all your trip plans.

and if anything happens during the road trip, the cars got a warranty, and it'll be subaru's problem...

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i feel like this is a really horrible thing to do in the middle of a road trip. do it after the road trip, locally. that way if they find anything, you're not reorganizing all your trip plans.

and if anything happens during the road trip, the cars got a warranty, and it'll be subaru's problem...

My expectation would be that if they find anything, they'll remove it all and reassemble, shouldn't add more than 30 minutes to the job I wouldn't think...

[vindiesel]

Dealer will charge you a lot more than a reputable local tuner shop.

It maybe a warranty issue if you don’t have the dealer do it. I’d call around on that. I have the 7 year warranty so I’m driving it as is.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by vindiesel

Dealer will charge you a lot more than a reputable local tuner shop.

Perhaps, but there are potential benefits, including oil pan removal documented done by Subaru and not independent shop, and possible coverage under warranty if RTV is found and removed. I've heard of at least one Toyota dealer familiar with the rtv issue agreeing to do this for a customer for $437 (2.5 hours labor), RTV was found and removed, under warranty. That would be fine with me even if I did have to pay the labor.

It maybe a warranty issue if you don’t have the dealer do it. I’d call around on that. I have the 7 year warranty so I’m driving it as is.

Yeah, I'll call around to local dealers tomorrow. But hoping to find someone who has had this done at a Subaru dealership with service department familiar with the issue.

[diga]

My Subaru dealership in LA acted like they'd never heard of it, when I asked for a price quote the service rep asked "what's wrong with it, what's the problem?" I was there only for the 1 year service, casually asked about them inspecting for RTV/if they would could the pan and if so how much would it cost. When my car was ready she told me the service manger said it would be over $1300 and they'd likely have to drop the engine!!! LOL, wtf.

[OldBiker]

Took mine to the SoCal dealership where I bought it... for the first oil change. They overfilled with 5w30 after telling me they can only put 0w20 in it. Teenage service advisors probably think RTV has 4 wheels and "oil pan" is in the kitchen. DIY or independent mechanic from now on.

[ZDan]

Yeah, those responses are about what I would expect from most dealerships. Looking to see if anyone knows of a dealership with a service dept. with knowledge of the issue and sympathetic to owners to have a look for minimal cost and possibly having it covered under warranty if RTV is found.

Fallback is to have a trusted independent shop do the work.

[g e]

Subaru of Gwinnett in a northeastern suburb of Atlanta has been tops with me.

Helped me with a throw out bearing in my 2013 BRZ at 45k miles. Worked with SoA on my behalf and got them to kick in $750 on the replacement.

More recently , like last week, they inspected my car after I ran it over a parking curb (airport parking, 4 hours sleep, 6 AM flight. Space in front of me was clear so I pulled ahead and CRUNCH! Backed it up another Crunch!). Sick feeling..

One hour they had the car. All damage limited to shields and skid pans. Nothing to fix. Saw the pics.

And… NO CHARGE. And they washed the car for me.

Highly recommended.

Color me impressed.

Issa is my service advisor.

[OkieSnuffBox]

The dealership I bought mine from said they would drop the pan, and if RTV was found it would be covered under warranty. If they don't find anything I think they quoted me $625 to do it.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

The dealership I bought mine from said they would drop the pan, and if RTV was found it would be covered under warranty. If they don't find anything I think they quoted me $625 to do it.

I would take that, as long as they either let me be there to inspect the pickup tube when the pan comes off or provide video of it.

[eyeballs]

+1 for Subaru of Gwinnett.