2009 Subaru WRX 265

Last week as you may know, I had my WRX clutch changed because apparently I drove a fast car, fast. Following my clutch change, like a good boy, I drove that baby nice and slow. I even drove it far far away on a long weekend trip and never pushed it.

On Monday, on my way home from work, I heard a clicking noise, I am now super sensitive to anything that goes on in this car. So I called Subaru and missed the fine folks at the service department they went home for the day. On Tue I called first thing in the morning, and talked to one of the service agents who asked me to bring it in, I really could not because I had a packed day, plus I was not really driving it. So we agreed, bring it on Wed for someone to look at and just in case we need, we will book you for Thu. BTW, when I talked to Subaru, I informed them that I am smelling a burning smell. It maybe the clutch I said….

Today, I had to get to work to do a couple of things, and when I was done, I drove it to Subaru, I think the total distance from where I work to the deanship is 15K at best. 75% of the way there and the car stinks of that burning smell. So got off the highway, car smoking up real bad. let it cool for minute. Called Subaru in the mean time looking for advice on what to do. You are almost there, so bring it in. And so I did.

I got there, smoke coming out, even filled up the car inside, they looked…. what do you thing guys? Is it the clutch? mmmmmm dont know needs a better look. Well does it sound like the clutch? Does it smell like the clutch? mmmm well we had a bit of a problem with the gaskets leaking on this car said one of them, we need to see if that is the case and fix it.

Really? Well then, Can I drive it, nope, better leave it here. Can you get me a car please I need to be out and about today. Sure, so I got me a nice Subaru Forrester, my car for the next day.

Will keep you posted, but at what point, is enough, enough?

Before I tell you what happened, why it happened and what happened after it happened. I want you to know I am not making excuses and what happened is totally my fault

So if your comment back to me is, you are an idiot, save your self the trouble.

(AGAIN NO EXCUSES) But, I have been quite busy lately, really busy, more so than I need to tell you. I had also gone on a few long trips with the car, Toronto a couple of times, NYC, etc… and somewhere between work and life, totally forgot about the Oil Change. How much you ask? well lets say I over shot it by 4K.

I was driving to Toronto, car loaded, and about 3 hours in. I hear a hissing noise. When I heard it, it hit me that the car has not been going as fast as normal, and the noise seemed to come on when I press the gas. I exited, got to a gas station and looked at things. checked the oil and lets just say it was LOW. So I added some, and hit the HWY again. By the time I ramped up to 120, the noise was really loud. So I dropped down the speed and put it on cruise, wanted to get to the next exit and get off again. Within a minute, the car made a weird noise, then the cruise came off, the check engine light came on, and the traction control light came on as well. Luckily there was an exit close by, got off, parked, and called road side assistance.

They offered to take the car to the closest dealer, which I asked them to do in the morning. They where very helpful except that the one thing I really wanted / cared for when its that late at night, and cold, is the safety of my family, which the road side assistance does not care to cover. I had written a blog post on that in the past you can read it here

In the morning the car was taken to Whitby which was the closes dealer to where I was

As soon as they looked at the car, the decision was clear and instant.

a) The Turbo is gone
b) It was my fault for neglecting the car

Since it was Saturday they could not source the part to work on it, but they promised to work on it on Monday and get it fixed. The only question was, who will pay for the damage.

Long story short, the dealer called me on Monday afternoon and informed me that Subaru Canada would like to have a word with me. within 30 minutes, a lady and a gentleman from Subaru was on the phone. They where very pleasant, and did a good job letting me know that I was at fault. Informed me that the cost of replacing the Turbo was close to $2000 and that it is not covered by warranty. No argument from my side. What can I say. However they had a proposal… They would pick up the cost of the turbo IF, I am willing to do an engine flush and the 24K service at the dealership. That sounds like a great offer, Deal. With that Subaru was generous to pick up the tab, and I got off with a $600 bill for maintenance that had to be done anyway.

So the moral of the story is, PLEASE, learn from me, Change your OIL on schedule, its very important… TRUST ME

Before I warp up, I want to give a plug to the Whitby dealership, they were nice and Mark the shop manager was very helpful.

I started to think after why Subaru would do that I don’t have the answer yet but I have 3 theories

1) I know the Subaru folks that called knew about my blown engine and maybe they feel bad so they paid for the Turbo
2) The Subaru folks thought if I pay for the Turbo, I wont do the engine flush, and by the time I get back home, I will need a new engine
3) The Subaru Folks know about this blog and want me to say something nice about them

Maybe its a combination of all of the above, and that is fine by me.

What do you think?

Alright, this topic has popped up a few times, worthy of its own post and discussion. Last comment came from cata_o and mwrx in the 1 year review post

Here are the comments:

“Just wanted to ask you a question about the engine at idle. Mine trembles occasionaly. Not all the time, here and there, there are some little shakes. This is not new, I felt it from the day 1. The dealer told me everything is fine. Did you experience this?”

and

“My 2010 wrx idles rough when I first start it and it does shake every once in a while like when sitting at a red light. Its has about 1,100 miles on it. I also noticed somtimes when I go to pull in my driveway or a parking spot it almost stalls out. It only happens in low speeds and when its in first gear. I hit the gas to go then push in the clutch an almost stalls out.
Anyone had any stalling problems?”

Comments?

Here is the latest update.

First I have to say, that I received excellent service so far from Subaru. They gave me a car right away. And took care of things as much as they can. They where very help full at the dealership. So full marks for that.

Subaru called on Friday and said car is done. I asked for the cause, the person said that the engine was changed and that full analysis from Subaru Canada is not back. I asked him if I needed to do anything when I drove the car. No was the answer. I asked again, do I drive it any special way? No again was the answer. But He did ask me to bring it back at 1000 KM to check to make sure there are no leaks.

I went to the dealership, picked up the keys, chatted with a sales guy. Yea that is weird that this happened, I agreed, asked him if I should drive it any special way, Nope. Then I started chatting with the receptionist dude. Do i need to drive the car any special way? Oh Yes Yes, you have to break in the engine. OH…. How do I do that? well drive it at variable speed. for the first 1000 KM. That is it, yup that is it. Ok thanks. Back to the sales guy. Hey, the receptionist dude says I need to break in the car is that true? Oh yes you have to break in the engine. How do I do that? Well drive it at variable speed for 1000 KM.

It was like pulling teeth. Anyway, at least everyone seems to think the engine needs a break in for the first 1000 KM, which is not what is the manual. Manual says 1600 KM. But what does the manual know, I am going to do what they told me and go from there. Back in 1000 KM, gonna do a long trip this weekend, so that should get the 1000 KM in quick.

BTW, here is what was done on the car.

2009 WRX engine replacement work