Alright Subaru Techs, You're really Starting to Piss Me Off

"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck) 01/23/2018 at 08:54 • Filed to: None

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Many of you know that a Subaru tech overfilled the oil during an oil change, resulting in a blown engine in my WRX. They replaced the engine, but there have been some issues. A few weeks after the rebuild, I heard a scraping noise, followed by a loud clunk. They forgot the clips for the inner fender liner. It popped loose, caught a crack, flipping it under the front tire, tearing off a portion. The remainder is zip-tied in place, awaiting a new fender liner.

On top of that, since the rebuild, the turbo noises were louder and there was a whistling that wasn’t there before. I took it in and they tightened all of the connections on the intake and after the turbo. That helped a little, but the noise never went away. I found the source while replacing the air filter last night.

To replace air filter, you have to pop off the air guide first. This involves removing the two plastic push-in rivets at the bottom of the image. As I was taking these off, I discovered that the techs really boogered up one of the two rivets, probably because a new tech didn’t know how to take it off properly. After the rivets are out, the air guide just lifts out of the way.

Opening the air box (left side of the image) is a little more challenging. There are two large metal clips that pop off to open the clamshell, but the front part of the box is affixed to the body with a couple of screws. It’s the back half that has to come out. Before that can happen, the intake tube has to be loosened and the sensor plug has to come off. With the top of the box disconnected, it’s easy to see how it all goes together. The two halves are clipped together at the top, but the bottom is held together with a couple of tabs that fit into slots on the other half of the box.

This is where I found the problem. The last tech to put it back together didn’t get the tabs into the slots, so the bottom of the airbox was never properly sealed. When I took it in to find the problem, they never found it. So, my little WRX has been ingesting dirty air ever since the rebuild. I’m hoping that the suction was great enough to pull the filter tight and that most of the intake air was passing through the filter, but I can’t help but wonder how much went around.

If I can’t trust them to put even simple things back together properly, how can I trust their work on the rebuild? How long before the engine grenades itself again?

I’m thinking it might be time for a trade.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:02

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you pissed of the WRX gods somehow. The shit you have gone through with hat car is amazing. You should probably just give it to me.

Arrivederci > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/23/2018 at 09:05

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Would you really want it?

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:08

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

FWIW, that smells of BS, too. Subaru can get a fender liner to most lower 48 US dealers in around 2-3 days. If you’ve been waiting a couple weeks or more, it wouldn’t surprise me to find that they ziptied your broken liner in place, and never ordered the replacement liner for you.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Arrivederci 01/23/2018 at 09:10

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as long as it doesn;t have airride I’ll take it.

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/23/2018 at 09:19

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By the time you come to pick it up, I’ll have wrecked it again, blown the engine again, and it will be in need of new tires.

People wonder why Louisiana insurance is so high. In four years, I’ve been hit three times in two different vehicles and my wife has been hit twice. Thankfully, none of them have been our fault. We are, of course, from out-of-state.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever 01/23/2018 at 09:24

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I guess I wasn’t clear on that. I haven’t asked them to order one yet. I was out of state when it happened and I zip-tied it in place. I’ve noticed a noise coming from the throwout bearing, but I haven’t figured out if it’s random or if its happening under specific conditions. Either way, it wasn’t doing that before the rebuild. I’m waiting for the noise to be more consistent, then I’ll take it in for a replacement under warranty and have them do the fender liner at the same time.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:31

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Time to find a new servicing dealer. The one you’re taking it to now is obviously full of idiots.

TheRealBicycleBuck > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/23/2018 at 09:38

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T he next nearest Subaru dealer is over an hour away. I’d welcome a new Subaru dealer in Baton Rouge.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:43

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Did they rebuild the engine or just replace it with a new/OE reman longblock?

camarov6rs > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:45

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Sounds like a trade to a GTI is in order! At least the techs at VW are good from all the practice. On a serious note I’d switch dealers if at all possible or find an independent you can trust.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:48

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I’m spoiled by Vermont... There are three less than an hour from me, and I’m an hour from everything else.

shop-teacher > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:50

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That’s crazy!

The only hits I’ve taken in 20 years were two parking lot scrapes.

shop-teacher > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 09:51

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Normally I’m the type to stick and stay and make it pay, but I think your concerns are legitimate. It may be wise to trade out of that before any big problems develop.

TheRealBicycleBuck > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 01/23/2018 at 09:51

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They started with a rebuild, but ended up replacing it with a new longblock. The extent of the damage was too great for a simple rebuild. I’m worried about the turbo. They said the filter caught all of the metal shards before they got into the turbo bearings, but I have my doubts. The throwout bearing is now making noise , so I’m wondering if they screwed something up there during reassembly.

TheRealBicycleBuck > camarov6rs 01/23/2018 at 09:53

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Just about all of the work has been done under warranty and it’s still under warranty, so going independent won’t work. The next nearest dealer is over an hour away.

VW just doesn’t do it for me, so that’s not really an option.

TheRealBicycleBuck > shop-teacher 01/23/2018 at 10:00

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Yep. Rear-ended three times (twice for her, once for me), backed into in a parking lot (me), and T-boned (me). I’m scared for my kids. 

shop-teacher > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:00

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That’s insane.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:04

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yea that uhaul thing was a special type of suck. If i got hit in my WRX i probably would have gone ballistic.

Wallaby > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:04

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The throwout bearing may be unrelated. The one in my ‘16 WRX has been on its way out since 40k miles with no major work having been done.

benjrblant > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/23/2018 at 10:08

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Subaru: The state car of Vermont.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Wallaby 01/23/2018 at 10:13

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It may be unrelated, but the noise didn’t start until after they took it apart and put it all back together. If I had known they weren’t going to replace the clutch and bearing while they were in there, I would have asked them to and even paid for the parts out of pocket. It doesn’t make sense to crack open those parts and not replace wear items.

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/23/2018 at 10:14

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I’m trying to remember if I accidentally prayed for patience. Maybe someone else did it for me and I’m having to prove that I have plenty of patience, thankyouverymuch.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Arrivederci 01/23/2018 at 10:28

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Opposaurus survived Allroad ownership with only a few moderate flesh wounds, an unreliable WRX is nothing to him.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:30

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Does the WRX lubricate the turbo with oil from the engine? If so it probably got at least a little metal in it.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:34

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It seems like they didn’t change the airbox design between ‘14 and ‘15, as mine is pretty similar to yours. Its tricky, and I’ve had trouble getting my airbox lined up and closed properly before, but I never just left it half open... I’d be nervous if I were you too, but Hatchback WRXs are really special now, would you trade it for a different but similar WRX, or a different car altogether?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > benjrblant 01/23/2018 at 10:35

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it’s true. In 2004 Burlington Hyundai-Subaru was recognized for being the highest volume Subaru dealer in the WORLD.

TheRealBicycleBuck > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/23/2018 at 10:36

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It does and I’m sure it did. I’m hoping the turbo goes before the 60k   warranty does.

Urambo Tauro > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:36

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This is why I get nervous when a shop has to perform free work. I just know that they’re going to rush it, and I’m afraid that something’s going to get broken, forgotten, mis-routed, mis-torqued, etc.

benjrblant > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/23/2018 at 10:40

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For those unaware, Burlington VT has a population under 43,000 humans and the entire state is under 630,000.

TheRealBicycleBuck > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/23/2018 at 10:45

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“... Hatchback WRXs are really special now, would you trade it for a different but similar WRX, or a different car altogether?”

That’s the million-dollar question. I really, really want Subaru to bring over a new WRX hatch. After owning an Outback, I think I’d even be happy with an Outback GT. Beyond that, I just don’t know. I still need to transport kids, but soon we’ll be in a situation where I don’t have to do that every day and we will still have two cars that can carry 5+ passengers. I also now have a trailer that can be used for hauling project stuff (dirt, lumber, etc.). For years I thought I couldn’t live without a truck, but this last year has proven me wrong. My old truck hasn’t been driven it quite some time.

If my WRX can hold together through the end of the year, I may consider getting something even sportier. Hmmmm.....

TheRealBicycleBuck > Urambo Tauro 01/23/2018 at 10:48

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I think the biggest problem is that they are a relatively new shop. They haven’t weeded out all of the bad techs yet.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 10:59

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I really, really want Subaru to bring over a new WRX hatch.

You and like...everyone else. lol

I just don’t have a lot of hope for that, unfortunately. The current gen WRX has outsold every previous gen WRX by a wide margin. I get excited when I see a WRX like yours because the only ones I see out and about are the current gen ones. And a model redesign is still 3 years out.

If I were you I’d enjoy the moment in your current car. You’re in a “tough” situation, but as it stands you have a really special fun car that should be able to do anything you ask of it and put a smile on your face while it does it. If you end up having to make another warranty repair before 60k then I’d start planning to replace it before the warranty is up, but if not...who knows, maybe it’ll soldier on?

diplodicus > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 11:01

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Beat the piss out of it and if it doesn’t go, I guess sell it to whoever blows the dankest vape clouds.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 11:14

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Oh man that’s scary! I just bought the oil today to do my first oil change on my STi. No way could I ever imagine letting a shop handle that, regardless of warranty. I never knew overfilling could really cause that much of an issue. How much did they actually put in there? Unfortunately given your circumstances though I definitely agree that you should look into getting out while you still can. I wouldnt write off getting another Subaru but I certainly would never go back to that particular dealer.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/23/2018 at 11:28

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I wouldn’t discount the dealer doing an oil change. Locally, it only costs about $10 more than the parts. That’s worth it in my book, especially since it saves me time. In this case, I had free oil changes for two years. Unfortunately, I think the tech hit the fill button on the oil machine, then he either got distracted and did it again or another tech didn’t know it was filled and did it again. Either way, the car had roughly twice as much oil as it was supposed to. They never accepted responsibility. Instead, they filed it as a warranty issue and had Subaru corporate pay for the replacement cost.

I’d go to another dealer, but the next nearest one is over an hour away.

Dogsatemypants > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 11:46

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That’s sad. First thing i show a lube tech i am training is to look at the edges of the housing to find any locator or retainer tabs so it STAYS TOHETHER when it is put together.

With the scoobie airbox it ends up being easier to wedge it open to pull filters then to pull the intake side of the box completely out.

Either do the work yourself or get to know the dude turning the wrench.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 11:50

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Reasons like that are exactly why I wouldnt have a dealer do my oil change, even if it actually cost more to do it myself! I do enjoy doing the work anyways so it ends up being sensible to just do it that way. I dont enjoy taking apart rusty suspension and exhaust components but trouble free labor is kind of entertaining. But either way, I just despise trusting a shop to do things unless I absolutely have to. This is why im glad my new apartment has indoor parking and nobody complains about doing maintenance in my spot.

Ooof that is rough to deal with that, but honestly I might find it worth the time if you really still wanted another Subaru. Or go used market and find a better independent mechanic close by. It just always seems like dealers are the worst but i have had good experience with independents.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 11:55

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My outback has had the engine out twice, then the short block replaced-third times a charm. I have not had one single issue with the engine out procedure, except the oil burning and leaking that has all been covered under warranty. I sounds like your local Subaru dealer has an incompetent service department.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/23/2018 at 12:07

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They have one master tech who seems to know his stuff. Unfortunately, he can’t do everything and the regular techs really aren’t up to snuff.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dogsatemypants 01/23/2018 at 12:13

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I’ve spent a lot of time talking with the master tech and he seems to know his stuff. Unfortunately, he’s surrounded by incompetent techs who make stupid mistakes like leaving an airbox open or overfilling a car with oil or leaving off the plastic rivets that hold  the fender in place.

With the exception of some large repairs , I did most of my own general maintenance work for years. If my garage wasn’t full of junk and I had a clean and dry place to work, I’d be more willing to do the simple stuff. Now I limit myself to t he more expensive maintenance work like brakes but let the dealer do the work that is easy/routine but time-consuming, or that is covered under warranty.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 13:52

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i mean its a subaru so it was going to eat ringlands soon anyway... they were giving it extra oil to burn off :)

Time for an EVO!

TheRealBicycleBuck > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 01/23/2018 at 14:13

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Blast from the past....

Dogsatemypants > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 15:47

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Depending on the shop, you can specify which techs you would like working on your car. See if you can talk with the master tech and have him be the guy doing the work. Or at least make sure it isnt the shop goober doing scut work.

His Stigness > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/23/2018 at 18:27

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If a dealer can’t do something as simple as an oil change I’d never trust them doing anything except warranty work, and even then I dread going in because they always fuck things up. I used to work at dealers so I know what goes on back there.

His Stigness > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/23/2018 at 18:39

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Take it from someone who has run multiple shops, trust no one! That’s why I became a tech, and I’m glad I did. I still haven’t meant a tech or shop owner who meets my standards of doing things right the first time.