My Subaru WRX died on the road yesterday

[xSkyDrAx]

Please keep us updated with what the issue was. Am looking to pick up a '11/'12 within the coming year.

 

[Zap]

If they don't cover the thing (which would blow me away), I'd ghost ride it right through the front doors of the damn dealership.

Translation: Push it.

 

[sontakke]

what is the verdict?

 

[tontod]

I was there yesterday, they still hadnt finished fully checking everything, but he mentioned something about a broken pulley.

 

[NoCreativity]

I was there yesterday, they still hadnt finished fully checking everything, but he mentioned something about a broken pulley.

A week in and they still haven't found/fixed the problem? Hope they gave you a loaner.

 

[tontod]

Yes, they did. I had a rental for a while from Enterprise, but I turned that in yesterday and they gave me an Outback for a loaner. They are covering the rental.

 

[tontod]

They said something happened with the pulley for the idler - it broke or came loose, and it ripped the timing belt - not completely ripped it, but has multiple tears. So they'll probably replace the timing belt and they're still checking to see/check for additional damage.

 

[alphatarget1]

They said something happened with the pulley for the idler - it broke or came loose, and it ripped the timing belt - not completely ripped it, but has multiple tears. So they'll probably replace the timing belt and they're still checking to see/check for additional damage.

I'd insist on a new motor...

 

[punjabiplaya]

+1 ^

interference motor + screwed up timing belt = gimme new motor

 

[Rifter]

+1 ^

interference motor + screwed up timing belt = gimme new motor

+2

No way in hell would i take a motor back under warranty for a broken timing belt thats a interference motor.

 

[alphatarget1]

If SOA doesn't play nice you may want to lawyer up...

 

[sontakke]

I hope they have given you a loaner. I am in the market for a new car but these kind of problems with Subaru (known for blowing head gaskets) make me hesitate to consider them.

Any new update on this?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I thought the blown head gasket issues were of the earlier versions of the WRX and that the new ones shouldn't have these issues in any way that is statistically significant.

 

[Demo24]

I hope they have given you a loaner. I am in the market for a new car but these kind of problems with Subaru (known for blowing head gaskets) make me hesitate to consider them.

Any new update on this?

That only really effected the 2.5l non turbo engine in the early 2000's range, and was fixed by replacing them with the approved upgraded headgaskets. New ones are rare to suffer such issues.

 

[tontod]

I talked to them yesterday, said they got a new timing belt. Before they install it, I asked them if they were going to check the engine and they said they would check the valves to make sure they arent bent.

 

[CraigRT]

I talked to them yesterday, said they got a new timing belt. Before they install it, I asked them if they were going to check the engine and they said they would check the valves to make sure they arent bent.

Chances are if the belt did not actually break, there is no reason for valves to be bent.
Very strange problem to happen. That sounds like a defect for sure.

 

[tontod]

They said they are going to replace the pulley, the timing belt, the water pump, and the oil pump seal. I hope they better check the engine out good.

 

[tontod]

The dealer said they are going to return the car next Tuesday. I've been getting tired of all this delay and decided to call Subaru of America because I think the dealer is milking the job and jerking me around a bit. Lets see what happens when I rattle their cage a bit.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

The dealer said they are going to return the car next Tuesday. I've been getting tired of all this delay and decided to call Subaru of America because I think the dealer is milking the job and jerking me around a bit. Lets see what happens when I rattle their cage a bit.

They're trying to figure out how to handle bent valves. IMO if it "tore" enough to make the engine stop and coolant blow it then it's not just a slightly torn timing belt. It probably bumped a couple of teeth at least


Also note that this is a prime example of why you DON'T keep driving a car that's acting up. You turn a $500 timing belt replacement problem into a $5000 new engine problem.

 

[sontakke]

What are you driving while this saga is going on?

 

[tontod]

They gave me a 2011 Outback, not very convenient for living in Boston.

 

[Demo24]

I would be raising hell if they had my car since September. This should only have taken a couple of days, unless some part needed to be sourced but from the sound of it nothing needed to be shipped in. A frayed timing belt to that extent would have been rather obvious as soon as the hood was open simply due to it's location.

 

[tontod]

And it was over 2 weeks before they told me what happened, makes me go WTF??

 

[jlee]

They're trying to figure out how to handle bent valves. IMO if it "tore" enough to make the engine stop and coolant blow it then it's not just a slightly torn timing belt. It probably bumped a couple of teeth at least


Also note that this is a prime example of why you DON'T keep driving a car that's acting up. You turn a $500 timing belt replacement problem into a $5000 new engine problem.

Dealer price for a Subaru timing belt job is just shy of $1k (that may be with water pump though), but I agree..if it's broke, don't drive it.

 

[tontod]

They didnt say (or admit) that it was broke. Subaru (corporate) got back to me, said they talked to the dealer, I should get the car back next Tuesday or Wednesday, they are waiting for a couple of pulleys to come in. They also said that since this is not typical, they want to provide some goodwill assistance - said they would discuss this next week once I got my car back. What do you guys recommend I suggest?