2009 Impreza WRX motor issues

[TuningIsLife]

After seeing a few posts about other people having motor issues with their 2009 Subarus, I would like to see who all is having problems.

Today I myself detected internal engine failure. By detected I mean I heard a loud knocking sound at 2000-3000 RPMs.

Car purchased 10/11/08
Aprox mile 3200
VIN: 9G800693

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[reaper702]

I haven't heard any noise from my engine. I have approx 2200 miles. When was yours built?

[08EJ25]

May sound stupid, but the motor's natural rumble comes out around 2-3k. Are you sure that is not what you are hearing? That could be very well what you are believing is internal failure. If all else take it to the dealer and have them look at it, it's a new car with a warrenty for a reason...

[RedRex26]

so far ive heard about of a handful of them throwing rod bearings. Hense why there is a stop sale. but with every new set of revamped cars subaru has there have been a few bugs so just bring it to the dealer and have it checked out and if there is a problem i'm sure that they will fix it under warrantee.

[Tea cups]

Originally Posted by RedRex26

so far ive heard about of a handful of them throwing rod bearings. Hense why there is a stop sale. but with every new set of revamped cars subaru has there have been a few bugs so just bring it to the dealer and have it checked out and if there is a problem i'm sure that they will fix it under warrantee.

There was no stop sale on the 2009 WRX, so obviously Subaru either:
1. Hasn't figured out the cause of the rod bearing failure yet and it is impacting even the 09 WRX/STi models.
2. Knows the cause of rod bearing issue, but it is too costly to implement a fix or a method of detecting the issue on the line and because it impacts a small number of motors, they chose to ignore it.
3. The issue has been fixed, however a large number of short blocks that could potentially have the issue have already been manufactured and it would be too costly to scrap or disassemble these motors for such a low failure rate.

The OP has a video of the rod knock, IIRC. If you watch it, it is obviously not normal.

[slava from goshen]

i want a new subie, only looks like they are poorly made.

[TuningIsLife]

Originally Posted by 08EJ25

May sound stupid, but the motor's natural rumble comes out around 2-3k. Are you sure that is not what you are hearing? That could be very well what you are believing is internal failure. If all else take it to the dealer and have them look at it, it's a new car with a warrenty for a reason...

Unfortunately, my car had 3200 miles on it. You would think by then I know how my motor is supposed to sound. That plus I do have an ASE Certification and have worked in multiple auto shops.

The stop sale is only on the 2008 models with certain VINs. The 2009 is a different VIN set so it would not match up. I had my car towed to the dealer on Saturday (original selling dealer is 25 miles away) so hopefully I should hear something back from them this up coming week.

As Tea Cups pointed out, I did find a video that one of the other members had posted on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvxaR7HSmWc

[08EJ25]

Originally Posted by TuningIsLife

Unfortunately, my car had 3200 miles on it. You would think by then I know how my motor is supposed to sound. That plus I do have an ASE Certification and have worked in multiple auto shops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvxaR7HSmWc

Nobody was insulting your intelligence, I was just pointing out that this motor is naturally noisy between 3-4K. My car has 9300 miles on it and every once in a while I think it does not sound like it should, but my car is 100% fine. If your car sounds like the video posted that is def. engine failure and I hope it works out for you..

[scramjett]

Originally Posted by TuningIsLife

Unfortunately, my car had 3200 miles on it. You would think by then I know how my motor is supposed to sound. That plus I do have an ASE Certification and have worked in multiple auto shops.

The stop sale is only on the 2008 models with certain VINs. The 2009 is a different VIN set so it would not match up. I had my car towed to the dealer on Saturday (original selling dealer is 25 miles away) so hopefully I should hear something back from them this up coming week.

As Tea Cups pointed out, I did find a video that one of the other members had posted on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvxaR7HSmWc

What is this, the same issue that plagued some of the 08s? I wonder if this is an oiling issue at root cause? Anyone seen that puny oil pickup tube... I'm putting in an engine oil accumulator, pickup tube, and pan when its warm enough outside for me to crawl back under my car! Not for this issue, but because of how I drive and worries of oil starvation.

[TuningIsLife]

Originally Posted by 08EJ25

Nobody was insulting your intelligence, I was just pointing out that this motor is naturally noisy between 3-4K. My car has 9300 miles on it and every once in a while I think it does not sound like it should, but my car is 100% fine. If your car sounds like the video posted that is def. engine failure and I hope it works out for you..

Don't mind my sarcasm

Stopped by the dealer today. He said there was definitely internal engine problems. I just wanted to go "O RLY?!" He said phone calls were being made (translation SoA was called)

Other than that, don't know much of anything.

[RobM]

Sorry your new car is having trouble. I know how frustrating it can be. My '09 STI threw up ABS/VDC warning lights after only 2 weeks of ownership, and it took them over a week to fix it.

Hopefully they find a fast resolution to the problem. It would really suck if you were without your 2-week old car for the next two months.

[woody06967]

SoA gave me a new longblock under warranty a while back from a spun bearing, took about 30 days after they sent their rep out to look at it, engine was shipped, etc. Hopefully they'll take care of you but it can take a while to get righted.

[06wrxlbart]

Damn I feel sorry for you guys with new cars having engine trouble. Make sure you break in your engines properly 1,000 MILES and keep it under 4,000 RPM! Anyways good luck with the problems. Hopefully I wont have the same problem I only have 410 miles on the 08 sti.

[TuningIsLife]

So... update.. my car ECU has been imaged and sent to SoA. I feel like it is a BlackBox on a doomed airplane.

[blackrex13]

oh wow. have you ever flashed it? i flashed mine, i have an 08 with 2600 miles. i dont know what i would do it if they tried to deny warranty for something like that. i would flash back before they ever got to look at it tho.

[TuningIsLife]

Originally Posted by blackrex13

oh wow. have you ever flashed it? i flashed mine, i have an 08 with 2600 miles. i dont know what i would do it if they tried to deny warranty for something like that. i would flash back before they ever got to look at it tho.

btw, i should be out to the meet thursday night.

not yet. . . . . . . .

[blackrex13]

how do i find out if my vin is affected by bad short block, i have a TBE on the way and will deffinitely not install if my engine is on track to doom.

[munkis]

register on mysubaru.com, if there are any open recalls you can find out there or call your dealer.

[Pocket_Rocket]

Before I get a new WRX I need to know that this has been resolved.
Subscribed and wishing those of you with this open issue a fair and quick resolution.

[Peppe316]

Knock at 1251 miles
VIN: 800572
Build Date: July 2008
Video of my car making the noise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvxaR7HSmWc
Diagnoses: Spun bearing
Fix: New Engine
Time out of service: 3 1/2 weeks (should be less if your dealer doesn't screw up your car)

I just returned from a 1400 mile road trip. Seems the new engine fixed the problem. ~2600 miles on the new engine now.

[TuningIsLife]

Yea it was Peppe316's video I have been showing people to describe the noise.

Dealer has called. They cannot determine if it was my fault or just faulty engine so they are replacing it.

[quentinberg007]

Originally Posted by 06wrxlbart

Damn I feel sorry for you guys with new cars having engine trouble. Make sure you break in your engines properly 1,000 MILES and keep it under 4,000 RPM! Anyways good luck with the problems. Hopefully I wont have the same problem I only have 410 miles on the 08 sti.

I did break-in my GTI, but I don't think it is necessary. Lots of engines are cold-tested at over 4k RPM at the factory as part of the quality confirmation. I think the most important "break-in" is varying the engine speed while driving the first couple hundred miles. For example, I think that driving 200 miles at 70mph on the cruise control would be detrimental.

What is the root cause for the spun bearings? Contamination in the journal? Incorrect rank bearings? Design?

~~Quentin

[dboz]

Oil starvation. Poor clearance tolerances. Torquing issues. Contamination. High RPM on cold engine (on/off ship at the docks). Poor hone. Piston problem. There are many variables, that is probably why they have not figured it out yet.

[Pocket_Rocket]

Originally Posted by TuningIsLife

Yea it was Peppe316's video I have been showing people to describe the noise.

Dealer has called. They cannot determine if it was my fault or just faulty engine so they are replacing it.

Glad to hear this.. Wishing you the best with the replacement and workmanship of the dealership. It really S U C K S that its a new car and this has to be replaced. Wonder if this will show on carfax??

[dboz]

It sure should.