Potential Cause of rumored GR86’s blown engine? Seal packing(RTV) was peeled off

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

The problem is with the RTV on the pickup and starving the engine of oil, it's already done damage to the bearings and oil pump. Sure you can remove the RTV but you can't remove the damage.

It MAY have already caused damage. There is no way to know without pulling the whole engine apart or it completely fails.
Just because there is RTV it does automatically mean damage was done. If severely blocked the damage will usually be immediate and catastrophic.
Besides, the point was that a baffle plate is not a solution since if indeed blocked enough to cause damage adding a baffle plate won't reverse that and if no damage had yet occurred then removing the blockage prevents it.

[NoHaveMSG]

You would be surprised the abuse these things can take NA. At my favorite track I probably get oil pressure dropout into the single digits a couple times a lap while under power. Gen 1 car, 101k miles. Around 35-40 track days.

If sealant plugging the pickup is killing them, they must be running very low pressure for a long time.

[Petah78]

Both of you are correct hence pulling the pan is a gamble either way.

At this time, I still do not know if the excess RTV is from the oil pan, timing cover, other areas, or ALL of the above. And i still think compiling a list of failures with build dates will be useful.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Petah78

Both of you are correct hence pulling the pan is a gamble either way.

At this time, I still do not know if the excess RTV is from the oil pan, timing cover, other areas, or ALL of the above. And i still think compiling a list of failures with build dates will be useful.

Like I said a list is a good idea. The only issue is that the data would be woefully incomplete. Not everybody that has an issue hangs out on forums or other social media. It could be close but may also paint a totally wrong picture.

Think that from what we have seen there is little doubt that the oil pan is the biggest issue but even a tiny piece introduced after the filter can destroy an engine without even having a single visible piece.

[Petah78]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Like I said a list is a good idea. The only issue is that the data would be woefully incomplete. Not everybody that has an issue hangs out on forums or other social media. It could be close but may also paint a totally wrong picture.

Think that from what we have seen there is little doubt that the oil pan is the biggest issue but even a tiny piece introduced after the filter can destroy an engine without even having a single visible piece.

Actually, now that you mentioned it, it might not be a bad idea to cut up an old oil filter to see if anything is caught.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Petah78

Actually, now that you mentioned it, it might not be a bad idea to cut up an old oil filter to see if anything is caught.

If there is that much big stuff in the pickup it is a pretty safe bet there is some in the filter.

[Petah78]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

If there is that much big stuff in the pickup it is a pretty safe bet there is some in the filter.

As a datapoint, i changed my factory fill this past weekend @ 1k miles. I used a kitchen strainer as the oil drained but caught nothing. I still have the old oil filter and will perform surgery on it later this week and report back.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Blighty

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see both Toyota and subaru people assessing faults and the solutions to them.

Just because the factory workers are all Subaru, doesn't mean that the engineering and manufacturing design team for the twins are all Subaru - they aren't.

I think 20% is enough to get boots on the ground, as they say

The engine is built in Subaru's plant. Doesn't matter if Toyota was involved in the design or not. It has nothing to do with design and everything to do with manufacturing procedure.

[jacobe38]

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...-repair-denied

looks like R&T put an article out about it, word is definitely getting out. they should've linked this post instead of that other one....but close enough

[mr.whiskers]

Originally Posted by jacobe38

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...-repair-denied

looks like R&T put an article out about it, word is definitely getting out. they should've linked this post instead of that other one....but close enough

Good, the more publicity is around this the better.

[LRNAD90]

Originally Posted by mr.whiskers

Good, the more publicity is around this the better.

Absolutely, only likely way that customers are going to be able to hold Subaru/Toyota's feet to the fire. Excess Silicon RTV should not be in the oil pan, claiming drifting causes the issue is just such utter BS.

How about driving on rough roads, that's not likely to break it loose? BS excuse Toyota..

[BioRebel]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

It MAY have already caused damage. There is no way to know without pulling the whole engine apart or it completely fails.
Just because there is RTV it does automatically mean damage was done. If severely blocked the damage will usually be immediate and catastrophic.
Besides, the point was that a baffle plate is not a solution since if indeed blocked enough to cause damage adding a baffle plate won't reverse that and if no damage had yet occurred then removing the blockage prevents it.

While it wouldn't PREVENT the issue from happening, it would force the re-application of sealant and the removal of "excess" sealant. I feel like its more of a "while you're in there you may as well just add this additional preventative measure".
I mean this whole thing could likely be solved if the dealers just removed the pan and replaced the sealant when they get the car.


Anyone know if installing a baffle plate would void the warranty? MM seems to say the dealer would need to prove that the plate contributed to the failure in order to void the claim.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by jacobe38

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...-repair-denied

looks like R&T put an article out about it, word is definitely getting out. they should've linked this post instead of that other one....but close enough

Fck yeah, I applaud R&T for this.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BioRebel

While it wouldn't PREVENT the issue from happening, it would force the re-application of sealant and the removal of "excess" sealant. I feel like its more of a "while you're in there you may as well just add this additional preventative measure".
I mean this whole thing could likely be solved if the dealers just removed the pan and replaced the sealant when they get the car.


Anyone know if installing a baffle plate would void the warranty? MM seems to say the dealer would need to prove that the plate contributed to the failure in order to void the claim.

Wouldn't "void" the warranty but could result in denial of coverage for any oil related issue.
They just need to prove it contributed to the issue not directly caused it. As posted before the warranty language is clear that aftermarket or modded parts can result in denial of claim. You could of course argue it didn't but they just need to have one of their engineers state it COULD have contributed. They know the laws and trying to get around them with word play will not work. Doesn't matter what we, YouTubers, bloggers, random dudes in general think makes sense they simply have the resources to fight if they choose.