Well I have been having an issue with the asphalt like substance in the trunk on the left (when you lift the carpet and looking at it from the rear). I was told it was because I had a Boost Gauge installed (note this is not a boost controller). So I removed the Boost gauge (Dealership made sure it stayed off when he cut the wire cable tie and it melted to the heat shield). Well I coverd the area with foil. And now to my amazement the foil has started to tarnish with the hear and the sound deadner is now begining to bubble with the heat. I've contacted SOA and left messages after messages. I`m ment to be speaking to Jody collins. I am now so anoyed that I`ll never eva by another Subaru. Once I my two subaru's are in need of replacements I`ll buy The EVo's

'Sorry you feel that way about Subies. (This is my first.)

I do not have a resolution for you, but I can tell you that I am having the same problem actually - in the trunk, left side - a black, gooey, "melted" spot - same side as the muffler.

My WRX is (performance-wise) bone stock. I tend to think that this "melting" has nothing to do with your booster. It is a somewhat common WRX problem, and has been previously discussed on this forum.

All I can say is talk to another dealership.
Hopefully other members here will jump on and offer you more info.

Good luck.

Haven't you guys seen the tons of post on this issue? The threads have stopped about a mo. or so ago after someone visited the dealer and told us that SOA is working on a resolution. Have not heard from anyone since for the status.

Apparently the issue is only for the Sedan.

Originally posted by Wheels
I was told it was because I had a Boost Gauge installed (note this is not a boost controller). So I removed the Boost Controller (Dealership made sure it stayed off when he cut the wire cable tie and it melted to the heat shield).

So did you have a boost controller on or didn't you? This isn't very clear to me yet. I'm confused. And if you didn't, why would the dealer make you take the stock boost controller off to fix the melting sound deadener?

Well I have been having an issue with the asphalt like substance in the trunk on the left (when you lift the carpet and looking at it from the rear). I was told it was because I had a Boost Gauge installed (note this is not a boost controller).

What?!!! A boost GUAGE?!!! You mean a pressure monitoring device?!!! :mad: As if a boost GUAGE is going to spontaneously generate heat inside the tailpipe / muffler and melt your trunk carpet. Yeah, I'm going to spend $1000 CAD to have my dealer install the factory option underlit quarter-sized boost guage so I can jet flames from my tailpipe and fly my WRX like a turbojet!!! :rolleyes:

Wheels man, I wish I had the power to reach back in space and time so I could slap that monkey of a dealer who suggested your boost guage melted your carpet!!! That's the weakest excuse I've heard in a long time. Dude, it's called your dealer stalling for time because Subaru didn't do their thermodynamics / heat transfer / materials properties homework and frankly it disgusts me.

The bottom line is there is too much heat being radiated / convected / conducted from the exhaust through the trunk and the carpet material was not properly chosen to withstand these elevated temperatures. End of story. Subaru screwed up. I see the beginnings of the same in my trunk carpet, but it's not as extreme as others have described it.

Dave.

Apparently the issue is only for the Sedan.

Yep, wagon has the sub floor storage. No problems here.

Hey Wheels, I haven't had any issues with my wagon, nor have many others in New England... before you go sour on Subaru (we all know you like to vent about them) why not get a wagon and see if that cures what ails you? :)

--kC
Wagons Rule!

The wagon has a thick foam like storage area above that area. It mostly likely has the same actual problem, but you will never be able to see it because of this foam stuff.

My trunk is like this as well. I posted pictures a little while ago. Car is bone stock.

P.S. I wonder how well cars that switched to aftermarket exhaust with less cats are holding up in this area.