Need advice concerning engine recall.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Good ol Calif. for how beautiful it can be it can totally suck.

There's plenty parts of the US (and the world) that are just as beautiful, without the sucky bits.

[B-R-Z]

My engine was subject to the recall. I'm currently at 180k on original valve springs and have had no issues. I'd rather run the risk of it maybe happening versus having some 9-5'er open up my engine.

[dodj]

IMO, changing valve springs can be done almost anyone. It's not a hard job. Hard to screw up, but not hard to do right.

Had my recall done and they threw in a new serpentine belt and changed the plugs free of charge

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by dodj

IMO, changing valve springs can be done almost anyone. It's not a hard job. Hard to screw up, but not hard to do right.

Had my recall done and they threw in a new serpentine belt and changed the plugs free of charge

Haha... no. It's a MAJOR undertaking requiring careful attention to many many details along the way. It's very easy to screw up.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Haha... no. It's a MAJOR undertaking requiring careful attention to many many details along the way. It's very easy to screw up.

Any second year apprentice with half his wit about him could do it. There are techs that do far more complicated work every single day without screwing up. The sad part is they didn't even screw up the harder parts. It was the simple thing that they probably didn't even bother to check the special instructions that they messed up.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Any second year apprentice with half his wit about him could do it. There are techs that do far more complicated work every single day without screwing up. The sad part is they didn't even screw up the harder parts. It was the simple thing that they probably didn't even bother to check the special instructions that they messed up.

This engine is particularly unforgiving of those who don't follow the exercise to the letter. I will say again, in a well qualified criticism of my service industry peers, there are many among us who do not respect the basics.

[dodj]

Following the exercise to the letter is the same for any multi part mechanical device. Leave a part or step out and it aint gonna work right.

Looking at a BRZ head.....I'm not a mechanic, but looks pretty standard as far as springs? Ya know, remove cams, remove springs/retainers, install new ones. reinstall cams in same spot. Time them. Close it up and start.
Other than being horizontal, whats majorly different from any other ohc engine?

[bcj]

Timing cover on the front and all the timing valves on the cams are exposed.
Scrape all the sealing goo into the oil passages and sump then spooge new goo all over everything.

That's pretty non standard opposed to popping off the valve cover.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by dodj

Following the exercise to the letter is the same for any multi part mechanical device. Leave a part or step out and it aint gonna work right.

Looking at a BRZ head.....I'm not a mechanic, but looks pretty standard as far as springs? Ya know, remove cams, remove springs/retainers, install new ones. reinstall cams in same spot. Time them. Close it up and start.
Other than being horizontal, whats majorly different from any other ohc engine?

The weak link in the process is the timing chain cover sealant both in removal of old and application of new. ANY excess whether from scraping off the old or the new application that gets into the engine can and will clog oil ports. This is a ticking time bomb especially for those that see track time.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by dodj

Following the exercise to the letter is the same for any multi part mechanical device. Leave a part or step out and it aint gonna work right.

Looking at a BRZ head.....I'm not a mechanic, but looks pretty standard as far as springs? Ya know, remove cams, remove springs/retainers, install new ones. reinstall cams in same spot. Time them. Close it up and start.
Other than being horizontal, whats majorly different from any other ohc engine?

Other engines aren't glued together. There are many places where improper surface prep, and adhesive application will cause catastrophic failure from blocked oil galleries. There are also places where o-rings under pressure will blow out because they weren't inserted carefully. Most commonly, carelessly removed old sealant makes its way back to the pan and ends up clogging the oil pickup screen.

This is a unique engine. I love it, but it requires special care.


edit: yeah... what bcj and Tommy said.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Other engines aren't glued together. There are many places where improper surface prep, and adhesive application will cause catastrophic failure from blocked oil galleries. There are also places where o-rings under pressure will blow out because they weren't inserted carefully. Most commonly, carelessly removed old sealant makes its way back to the pan and ends up clogging the oil pickup screen.

This is a unique engine. I love it, but it requires special care.


edit: yeah... what bcj and Tommy said.

LOL something that I was told many times was IMPOSSIBLE prior to the recall failures. There were at least 20 reported failures in 13s straight from the factory that all pointed to this. Robots screw up too!

I still maintain my stand that any half competent person can do this repair. It wasn't a matter of skill that caused issues it was a simple failure to follow instructions and take the proper care.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

LOL something that I was told many times was IMPOSSIBLE prior to the recall failures. There were at least 20 reported failures in 13s straight from the factory that all pointed to this. Robots screw up too!

I still maintain my stand that any half competent person can do this repair. It wasn't a matter of skill that caused issues it was a simple failure to follow instructions and take the proper care.

Like I've said a million times, you can't pay people to give a shit. That's precisely why I never roll the dice with things I hold dearly. Hell, now that I think of it, you've seen how I suffer playing slots! It all fits.


edit: something else I just considered... Given the choice, I'd gladly pay a certified A&P mechanic with zero experience on this engine than I would any dealer shop. This shit rarely happens with aircraft, and heads roll when it does. If we were truly concerned about safety over litigation, that's how we would treat automotive service.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Like I've said a million times, you can't pay people to give a shit. That's precisely why I never roll the dice with things I hold dearly. Hell, now that I think of it, you've seen how I suffer playing slots! It all fits.


edit: something else I just considered... Given the choice, I'd gladly pay a certified A&P mechanic with zero experience on this engine than I would any dealer shop. This shit rarely happens with aircraft, and heads roll when it does. If we were truly concerned about safety over litigation, that's how we would treat automotive service.

[dodj]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Other engines aren't glued together.

Quite a few are. Not just car engines either.... for decades.

I haven't done the job on this engine (I've 'glued' together other engines though) and I can't say I think doing a good job removing the old sealant and applying a proper amount on reassembly constitutes a 'difficult' repair.
I respect your opinion, but,

I think I will go with the 'agree to disagree' on this.