2009 wrx(spun bearing) Am I getting the shaft ????

09rex · 11-03-2009, 06:08 PM

list of events- 2009 wrx build date 08/08
-Last week had spun a bearing on the way home from work (stared as nock and by the time I got home 15mi. later it was screaching metal on metal.)
- had it towed to dealer last friday, said would look at it on monday and they would call me.
-Monday, I take a ride to the dealer and the service manager isn't there and and they said he wouldn't be back until Wed. and they know nothing and I have no loaner car (I also bring recipt copies of all oil changes).
- Monday night, I decide to call SOA to see if they new the status and of course at the time they new nothing and would call be back on tues.
- Tues. morning I get a call from SOA and say I need to call the service department to accept pontential cost for engine tear down because service tech says engine oil looks "Excessively OLD" and said they need to verify if there is excessive wear and or sludge build up. So I agreed because at the time I was at a loss for words because this car was well taken care of . Here's my oil change list with dates and mi.

Oil change #
1-Dec 10, 1000 mi.
2-Jan 22, 4500 mi.
3-Feb 20, 8542 mi.
4-March 27, 12,060
5-April 30th, 16,120
6-June 29th, 20,237
7- Last oil change was Sept 17th at 24,433 and oil has 2740mi on it
The major problem I have is the big "WHAT IF", such as what if excessive wear occured during and after the spun bearing due to loss of oil pressure caused by the spun bearing (or bearings) and as far as the oil condition, any oil that goes through this is going to look like pure hell and that the heat caused by the metal on metal grinding could easy burn the oil and make it look worse than it should

So Am I getting the shaft??? I just don't understand why I have to go through this compared to others with the same problem!
Please Help...

irish44j · 11-03-2009, 06:57 PM

they tried to give me a hard time about oil changes too, then I produced a receipt or two and they changed their tune. If you have receipts from buying the oil/filter at the local auto parts store or whaever, show them. That said, I had a loaner from the moment I dropped the car off at the dealer.

Regardless of the oil, this is a known problem and you just need to push them, push SOA, demand to talk to the regional rep, etc.

09rex · 11-03-2009, 07:07 PM

I acually gave them a recipt copy of each oil change that was ever done, so the best bet would to demand to talk to the regional rep? Would I try to do this by going through SOA or the dealership? Also on another note I mentioned this to the service manager and he never heard of this problem and acording to him ALL subaru's go well over 100,000 mi's with out problems

09rex · 11-03-2009, 09:41 PM

I just spent a lot of time reading through the pages of info on the post regarding failed engines with/ vin #'s and learned I'm not the first thats been put through this process so that makes me feel a little better but still very unnerving and stressfull considering I've always took good care of this car...

26525 · 11-03-2009, 09:46 PM

It's really unfortunate when dealers immediately take the stance that any problems with the vehicle is due to customer negligence. There is really no excuse for it. It's almost like dealers think Subarus are prefect machines that never break. How does someone judge oil quality from simply looking at it? A poorly running engine will accelerate wear of the oil too, so I'd remind said dealership that oil is not the only cause for problems and it many cases oil can be compromised as a result of another issue. Oil is not the precursor to every engine problem.

Like irish said, push SOA and let them know you are fully aware of the many documented cases of this issue and you should not be expected to pay anything, especially when the vehicle is so new and still under warranty. There are many avenues you can take to motivate SOA to take care of you and there are many great suggestions from other members on here that have gone through what you are experiencing. Good luck!

BadTrainDriver · 11-03-2009, 10:53 PM

How are you without a loaner???

I'd have not left until I was given one.

If they refused...I'd have camped on the showroom floor.

Free coffee and doughnuts for a week!!!

BTD.

TFBHTMFSNE · 11-04-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadTrainDriver

How are you without a loaner???

I'd have not left until I was given one.

If they refused...I'd have camped on the showroom floor.

Free coffee and doughnuts for a week!!!

BTD.

Loaner vehicles are a service provided by the dealer. There's no guarantee you'll get one just because you drop your car off. And, without knowing the age of the OP, he/she may not be eligible for one due to insurance limitations.

BadTrainDriver · 11-04-2009, 09:20 AM

Not what I was told by my Dealer...as I requested the use of a loaner in case of warranty overnight work...and was told loaners were provided by Subaru, just for this occasion.

BTD.

Hondaslayer · 11-04-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadTrainDriver

Not what I was told by my Dealer...as I requested the use of a loaner in case of warranty overnight work...and was told loaners were provided by Subaru, just for this occasion.

BTD.

They are paid for by Subaru up to $35 per day.

Just because you show up does not mean that you can get a car from them. They can arrange for you to get a loaner from an outside co (Avis, Enterprise etc....) but SOA only pays up to $35 per day.

Also, just because you are there does not mean that your car will be looked at right then and there. Dealers work on appointment basis, walk ins are treated on an as available basis, meaning when there is a certified technician available they will look at it. If you showed up at my shop today without an appointment I might be able to look at it next Thursday as we are booked 10 days out right now.

OP, you are not getting the shaft, the dealer is covering their ass. Calm down, give them a few days to look at it and get the ball rolling on their end. If SOA declines coverage, then you can start looking into things. As it sits you have done all the required oil changes (assuming what you have posted is correct) so it should not be a problem.

blackfang · 11-04-2009, 10:46 AM

If the dealer doesn't have a loaner fleet, they can put you in a rental car which Subaru pays $20 a day. Every dealer works with a rental car agency especially if they have a body shop. I put customers in rentals anytime it fits Subaru's criteria or if I am willing to eat the cost for customer satisfaction.

However, you have to abide by the rental agency guidelines. If you are under a specific age, etc they may not rent the vehicle.

+1 On Hondaslayers info as well.

We work mainly on appointments and sometimes I can fit in walk ins, sometimes I can't. It all depends on the tempo of the service dept. Right now i am swamped with recalls, that I can't take a walk in for atleast 48 hours.

RexyGirl · 11-04-2009, 12:00 PM

While it may seem that Hondaslayer and blangfang are giving conflicting info, technically, they are both correct.

If the dealer you service with has a fleet of loaner cars, but are out of them, they can use a rental car facility and Subaru will pay them up to $35.00 per day.

If the dealer does not have a loaner car fleet (even just one vehicle), then Subaru will only pay up to $20.00 per day

You are only entitled to a loaner car if the repair is covered under warranty, and that has not yet been determined. If you are given a rental vehicle and the repair is not covered, you will be responsible for the rental fee. This is the way it is with any manufacturer that provides loaner/rental vehicles.

Hondaslayer · 11-05-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RexyGirl

While it may seem that Hondaslayer and blangfang are giving conflicting info, technically, they are both correct.

If the dealer you service with has a fleet of loaner cars, but are out of them, they can use a rental car facility and Subaru will pay them up to $35.00 per day.

If the dealer does not have a loaner car fleet (even just one vehicle), then Subaru will only pay up to $20.00 per day

You are only entitled to a loaner car if the repair is covered under warranty, and that has not yet been determined. If you are given a rental vehicle and the repair is not covered, you will be responsible for the rental fee. This is the way it is with any manufacturer that provides loaner/rental vehicles.

Good point,

With a fleet of 6 cars I tend to forget they pay less for non SSLP dealers

RexyGirl · 11-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 26525

It's really unfortunate when dealers immediately take the stance that any problems with the vehicle is due to customer negligence. There is really no excuse for it. It's almost like dealers think Subarus are prefect machines that never break. How does someone judge oil quality from simply looking at it? A poorly running engine will accelerate wear of the oil too, so I'd remind said dealership that oil is not the only cause for problems and it many cases oil can be compromised as a result of another issue. Oil is not the precursor to every engine problem.

Like irish said, push SOA and let them know you are fully aware of the many documented cases of this issue and you should not be expected to pay anything, especially when the vehicle is so new and still under warranty. There are many avenues you can take to motivate SOA to take care of you and there are many great suggestions from other members on here that have gone through what you are experiencing. Good luck!

The only way the OP is going to have any problems is if there is sludge in the engine or proof of abuse. If they have that, then the OP has no case. With or without receipts, sludge doesn't lie. The dealer has to prove lack of maintenance. Once they do, they ask for receipts. 99.999999% of the time, if the is sludge, there are no receipts or the receipts are 'fudged'.

Other documented cases will not help him if the failure is due to lack of maintenance. Yes, the vehicle is under warranty, but only if the warranty guidelines are met. Those failures were caused by something else, not lack of maintenance.

JasonSti · 11-06-2009, 12:58 AM

as long as your changing the oil every 3000 on the dot or every 3 months and you hadn't modded the car they should do the fix for you because its under warranty..... I wouldn't go over the service managers head and contact soa i didn't need too. He asked for my oil change records when i told him to leakdown test and gave me a new shortblock for my 07 sti that had a cracked piston.

Adam Sosa · 11-06-2009, 01:52 AM

Almost have the same story...

2009 Subaru WRX Sedan (was purchased in november of 2008) so its an early build im guessing.
SPT exhaust
Cobb springs.
Only mods done to the car.

So i was commuting home from work last night around 6pm going 80mph in 5th gear. As i was almost home i heard a knocking sound from the engine somewhere. I immediately called subaru and took my car in this morning.

So they tell me my short block needs to be replaced and that my car was low on 1 quart or a little under a quart of oil. And wanted to know if i had any receipts to the oil changes on my car. Well problem here is ive been changing the oil on my car myself. I do it every 4,000 miles and i baby the car for the most part. Will this void/get denied for coverage under warranty? i only have 20,000 miles on the car so the coverage is still active? Problem is i dont have any documentation on my car services (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.)

Anyone have any recommendations as to what i should tell them or what i should do? I havent beaten on the car to say it was my fault. I babied it for the most part and gassed it occasionally.

I NEED SOME HELP/ REPLIES ASAP please.

Will they still cover it even if i dont show proof of oil purchases? i already tried autozone they said since i paid cash each time they dont have records..

djosbun · 11-06-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Sosa

Almost have the same story...

2009 Subaru WRX Sedan (was purchased in november of 2008) so its an early build im guessing.
SPT exhaust
Cobb springs.
Only mods done to the car.

So i was commuting home from work last night around 6pm going 80mph in 5th gear. As i was almost home i heard a knocking sound from the engine somewhere. I immediately called subaru and took my car in this morning.

So they tell me my short block needs to be replaced and that my car was low on 1 quart or a little under a quart of oil. And wanted to know if i had any receipts to the oil changes on my car. Well problem here is ive been changing the oil on my car myself. I do it every 4,000 miles and i baby the car for the most part. Will this void/get denied for coverage under warranty? i only have 20,000 miles on the car so the coverage is still active? Problem is i dont have any documentation on my car services (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.)

Anyone have any recommendations as to what i should tell them or what i should do? I havent beaten on the car to say it was my fault. I babied it for the most part and gassed it occasionally.

I NEED SOME HELP/ REPLIES ASAP please.

Will they still cover it even if i dont show proof of oil purchases? i already tried autozone they said since i paid cash each time they dont have records..

You already started a thread with your issue. Please do not hijack another person's thread.

blackfang · 11-06-2009, 02:27 PM

Exactly. Let him have his thunder.

11-03-2009, 06:08 PM	#1
09rex Scooby Newbie Member#: 201423 Join Date: Jan 2009	2009 wrx(spun bearing) Am I getting the shaft ???? list of events- 2009 wrx build date 08/08 -Last week had spun a bearing on the way home from work (stared as nock and by the time I got home 15mi. later it was screaching metal on metal.) - had it towed to dealer last friday, said would look at it on monday and they would call me. -Monday, I take a ride to the dealer and the service manager isn't there and and they said he wouldn't be back until Wed. and they know nothing and I have no loaner car (I also bring recipt copies of all oil changes). - Monday night, I decide to call SOA to see if they new the status and of course at the time they new nothing and would call be back on tues. - Tues. morning I get a call from SOA and say I need to call the service department to accept pontential cost for engine tear down because service tech says engine oil looks "Excessively OLD" and said they need to verify if there is excessive wear and or sludge build up. So I agreed because at the time I was at a loss for words because this car was well taken care of . Here's my oil change list with dates and mi. Oil change # 1-Dec 10, 1000 mi. 2-Jan 22, 4500 mi. 3-Feb 20, 8542 mi. 4-March 27, 12,060 5-April 30th, 16,120 6-June 29th, 20,237 7- Last oil change was Sept 17th at 24,433 and oil has 2740mi on it The major problem I have is the big "WHAT IF", such as what if excessive wear occured during and after the spun bearing due to loss of oil pressure caused by the spun bearing (or bearings) and as far as the oil condition, any oil that goes through this is going to look like pure hell and that the heat caused by the metal on metal grinding could easy burn the oil and make it look worse than it should So Am I getting the shaft??? I just don't understand why I have to go through this compared to others with the same problem! Please Help...

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11-03-2009, 06:57 PM	#2
irish44j Scooby Specialist Member#: 191290 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Burke, VA Vehicle: 2009 WRX OPB Sedan 1970 Triumph GT6+	they tried to give me a hard time about oil changes too, then I produced a receipt or two and they changed their tune. If you have receipts from buying the oil/filter at the local auto parts store or whaever, show them. That said, I had a loaner from the moment I dropped the car off at the dealer. Regardless of the oil, this is a known problem and you just need to push them, push SOA, demand to talk to the regional rep, etc.

11-03-2009, 07:07 PM	#3
09rex Scooby Newbie Member#: 201423 Join Date: Jan 2009	I acually gave them a recipt copy of each oil change that was ever done, so the best bet would to demand to talk to the regional rep? Would I try to do this by going through SOA or the dealership? Also on another note I mentioned this to the service manager and he never heard of this problem and acording to him ALL subaru's go well over 100,000 mi's with out problems

11-03-2009, 09:41 PM	#4
09rex Scooby Newbie Member#: 201423 Join Date: Jan 2009	I just spent a lot of time reading through the pages of info on the post regarding failed engines with/ vin #'s and learned I'm not the first thats been put through this process so that makes me feel a little better but still very unnerving and stressfull considering I've always took good care of this car...

11-03-2009, 09:46 PM	#5
26525 Scooby Newbie Member#: 192619 Join Date: Oct 2008	It's really unfortunate when dealers immediately take the stance that any problems with the vehicle is due to customer negligence. There is really no excuse for it. It's almost like dealers think Subarus are prefect machines that never break. How does someone judge oil quality from simply looking at it? A poorly running engine will accelerate wear of the oil too, so I'd remind said dealership that oil is not the only cause for problems and it many cases oil can be compromised as a result of another issue. Oil is not the precursor to every engine problem. Like irish said, push SOA and let them know you are fully aware of the many documented cases of this issue and you should not be expected to pay anything, especially when the vehicle is so new and still under warranty. There are many avenues you can take to motivate SOA to take care of you and there are many great suggestions from other members on here that have gone through what you are experiencing. Good luck!

11-03-2009, 10:53 PM	#6
BadTrainDriver Scooby Newbie Member#: 201416 Join Date: Jan 2009	How are you without a loaner??? I'd have not left until I was given one. If they refused...I'd have camped on the showroom floor. Free coffee and doughnuts for a week!!! BTD.

11-04-2009, 09:20 AM	#8
BadTrainDriver Scooby Newbie Member#: 201416 Join Date: Jan 2009	Not what I was told by my Dealer...as I requested the use of a loaner in case of warranty overnight work...and was told loaners were provided by Subaru, just for this occasion. BTD.

11-04-2009, 10:46 AM	#10
blackfang Scooby Specialist Member#: 131347 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Richmond Va Vehicle: 2007 Legacy 2.5i SE 98 Z/28 & ZZR 600	If the dealer doesn't have a loaner fleet, they can put you in a rental car which Subaru pays $20 a day. Every dealer works with a rental car agency especially if they have a body shop. I put customers in rentals anytime it fits Subaru's criteria or if I am willing to eat the cost for customer satisfaction. However, you have to abide by the rental agency guidelines. If you are under a specific age, etc they may not rent the vehicle. +1 On Hondaslayers info as well. We work mainly on appointments and sometimes I can fit in walk ins, sometimes I can't. It all depends on the tempo of the service dept. Right now i am swamped with recalls, that I can't take a walk in for atleast 48 hours.

11-04-2009, 12:00 PM	#11
RexyGirl Scooby Specialist Member#: 63616 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo with mods :)	While it may seem that Hondaslayer and blangfang are giving conflicting info, technically, they are both correct. If the dealer you service with has a fleet of loaner cars, but are out of them, they can use a rental car facility and Subaru will pay them up to $35.00 per day. If the dealer does not have a loaner car fleet (even just one vehicle), then Subaru will only pay up to $20.00 per day You are only entitled to a loaner car if the repair is covered under warranty, and that has not yet been determined. If you are given a rental vehicle and the repair is not covered, you will be responsible for the rental fee. This is the way it is with any manufacturer that provides loaner/rental vehicles.

11-06-2009, 12:58 AM	#14
JasonSti Scooby Newbie Member#: 225373 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rochester Vehicle: 2007 sti limited pearl white	as long as your changing the oil every 3000 on the dot or every 3 months and you hadn't modded the car they should do the fix for you because its under warranty..... I wouldn't go over the service managers head and contact soa i didn't need too. He asked for my oil change records when i told him to leakdown test and gave me a new shortblock for my 07 sti that had a cracked piston.

11-06-2009, 01:52 AM	#15
Adam Sosa Scooby Newbie Member#: 196647 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bakersfield, CA Vehicle: 2009 impreza WRX Spark Silver Metallic	Almost have the same story... 2009 Subaru WRX Sedan (was purchased in november of 2008) so its an early build im guessing. SPT exhaust Cobb springs. Only mods done to the car. So i was commuting home from work last night around 6pm going 80mph in 5th gear. As i was almost home i heard a knocking sound from the engine somewhere. I immediately called subaru and took my car in this morning. So they tell me my short block needs to be replaced and that my car was low on 1 quart or a little under a quart of oil. And wanted to know if i had any receipts to the oil changes on my car. Well problem here is ive been changing the oil on my car myself. I do it every 4,000 miles and i baby the car for the most part. Will this void/get denied for coverage under warranty? i only have 20,000 miles on the car so the coverage is still active? Problem is i dont have any documentation on my car services (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.) Anyone have any recommendations as to what i should tell them or what i should do? I havent beaten on the car to say it was my fault. I babied it for the most part and gassed it occasionally. I NEED SOME HELP/ REPLIES ASAP please. Will they still cover it even if i dont show proof of oil purchases? i already tried autozone they said since i paid cash each time they dont have records..

11-06-2009, 02:27 PM	#17
blackfang Scooby Specialist Member#: 131347 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Richmond Va Vehicle: 2007 Legacy 2.5i SE 98 Z/28 & ZZR 600	Exactly. Let him have his thunder.