whitehe9 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Jerry D. I'm going through the same crap with my dealer and SOA right now. Thanks for your post!!! Please let us know the '6 higer ups' you refer to and where you got their names. Are they all at the same address? I'm mailing my letter tomorrow!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryD Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Jerry D. I'm going through the same crap with my dealer and SOA right now. Thanks for your post!!! Please let us know the '6 higer ups' you refer to and where you got their names. Are they all at the same address? I'm mailing my letter tomorrow!! Hi, sorry, it's actually 5 higher ups + dealership (addressed listed below). IMO, dealership not that important but you may want to cc them too. Not all at the same address either but the only one that triggered a response was to the office of Mr. Tomohiko Ikeda (first one listed below), that's probably the only one necessary. Dug the addresses up on Fuji Heavy Industries site, more than you need: http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/outline/inoutline/overseas/index.html Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru Plaza P.O. Box 6000 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000 Attn: Tomohiko Ikeda Subaru of Indiana U.S.A., Inc. 5500 State Road 38 East Lafayette, Indiana 47905 U.S.A.. Attn: Masahiro Kasai Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru Plaza P.O. Box 6000 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000 Attn: Customer/Dealer Services Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru Plaza P.O. Box 6000 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000 Attn: Mr. Tim Colbeck Fuji Heavy Industries U.S.A., Inc. Subaru Plaza 2235 Route 70 West Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 Attn: Tsutomo Taguchi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadvw Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm at 56K, stage 2 since 38K. Is the issue here MAINLY the VF40? Would I most likely avoid the problem by pre-emptively replacing it with a VF46, or VF52? That sounds much cheaper than tearing down the engine later looking for metal shavings.. Also - any ideas if a larger topmount IC will cause CARB/smog guys to get suspicious in CA? I'm thinking a VF52 shouldn't be a problem, since it should look OEM, and I can always say I replaced it due to a faulty turbo.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 It is not the turbocharger but oil lines leading to it. There are "banjo bolts" with screens inside. One in line to AVCSs and the other in line to turbo. Search the forum for banjo. If it clogs it starves turbo from oil (any turbo) the turbo dies. If it clogs it means you are using wrong oil or you change oil not often enough. Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadvw Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 It is not the turbocharger but oil lines leading to it. There are "banjo bolts" with screens inside. One in line to AVCSs and the other in line to turbo. Search the forum for banjo. If it clogs it starves turbo from oil (any turbo) the turbo dies. If it clogs it means you are using wrong oil or you change oil not often enough. Krzys Thanks, Krzys. I did know about the banjo bolts (at least the one to the turbo). I saw someone say that they got a VF46 to avoid the problems with the VF40, so I thought maybe there's also a problem with the VF40? I've been using Pennzoil Platinum (synthetic), 3500-3750 OCI (only once did I go over that at around 4300). Usually when I check my oil, it's full... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattaleao Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'm picking up an '05 w/ 70,000 miles and these horror stories are a making me a bit skeptical. i'm getting an extended warranty from my dads subaru dealership, which covers the turbo for 4/48,000 more but is there anything I can do in the interim to possibly avoid any issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eVoMotion Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Quick search of the banjo bolt filter thread would be enlightening. Get it cleaned or removed by the dealer. The turbos are fine. The filter is the killer and is the cause of all of this - the David to the SOA Goliath. [quote name=m attaleao]I'm picking up an '05 w/ 70,000 miles and these horror stories are a making me a bit skeptical. i'm getting an extended warranty from my dads subaru dealership, which covers the turbo for 4/48,000 more but is there anything I can do in the interim to possibly avoid any issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattaleao Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Quick search of the banjo bolt filter thread would be enlightening. Get it cleaned or removed by the dealer. The turbos are fine. The filter is the killer and is the cause of all of this - the David to the SOA Goliath. So just ask them to remove the banjo bolt filter, got it. I'll look into doing that before I drive it off the lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I think that removing filters in banjo bolts solves only immediate manifestation of the problem without touching the root cause. There is not supposed to be anything clogging the filters in the first place. Sludge will gut something else. Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 if you remove that filter then the sludge just goes into the turbo instead of being blocked which then I'm sure will eventually still cause a failure. They should make that filter be cleaned and or replace the bolts every oil change and that probably 100% will solve the problem. We are talking about a part that for them probably cost about 15 cents to make but is costing them 10000x the parts cost in repairs they are having to perform. Its already pathetic enough that we have to wait 1 hr just for a damn oil change whats one more step of them replacing the bolts gonna take?? ~5 minutes.. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadvw Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Its already pathetic enough that we have to wait 1 hr just for a damn oil change whats one more step of them replacing the bolts gonna take?? ~5 minutes.. For those who have checked/changed the bolt - how long did it take you (starting from a completely assembled car)? Maybe I'm misremembering, but I thought the bolt was in a really awkward location, and hard to get to - IF you can get to it at all with regular tools.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeAldea Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Its already pathetic enough that we have to wait 1 hr just for a damn oil change whats one more step of them replacing the bolts gonna take?? ~5 minutes.. For those who have checked/changed the bolt - how long did it take you (starting from a completely assembled car)? Maybe I'm misremembering, but I thought the bolt was in a really awkward location, and hard to get to - IF you can get to it at all with regular tools.. All the dealers I've spoken with quote 1-2 hours labor just to check the banjo bolt. It appears to be buried pretty well and is not an easy check when doing an oil change. That makes it a major design fault by Subaru. If a part needs to use a filter it should be easily checkable for clogging, cleaning or replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryD Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 All the dealers I've spoken with quote 1-2 hours labor just to check the banjo bolt. It appears to be buried pretty well and is not an easy check when doing an oil change. That makes it a major design fault by Subaru. If a part needs to use a filter it should be easily checkable for clogging, cleaning or replacement. I provided diagrams/instructions I got off this board to a Subaru-specializing mechanic (not a dealer-all done with those) and he replaced my banjo bolt (16$ part) in ~30min. Didn't really seem to need the instructions either. Also changed my oil (full synthetic) and filter (Subaru recommended), rotated my tires and .... can't remember what else for ~180$ total. Don't have the work order right in front of me and I can't recall what the specific charge for banjo bolt work was. Doubt it was more than 65$ incl. part. ~2K miles away from that work and all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 The part costs is $12 or less... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 but the manufacturing of the part is under $1 per unit considering they are made by the 1000's. But as Mike said. If it has a filter then it should be checked on a regular basis and or changed out like you would any other filter on the vehicle. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorhead331 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Name: Make: Mileage: 56'000 Time Out Of Use: 10 days Problem And Likely Cause: broken turbo shaft - ? Modifications: stock except for drop in K&N Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): yes Reason Given For Denial (if applicable): covered in full by SOA Your Story: Had to endure tear down by dealer and argue my point to both SOA and the dealer but I got it covered 100% I have used Royal Purple synthetic since it had 10,000 miles on it and change it regularly every 5000 miles. I had no receipts or anything but offered to have the oil from my car tested by an independent source at my expense and they covered the repairs at no cost. They did how ever continue to remind me how dark my oil was. So I took in a new bottle unopened of my oilo to show them it's dark to begin with. It was fun messing with them though. The dealer here is Wagner Subaru and they are very knowledegable and helpful and helped with getting the repair covered by SOA despite the dark oil drama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpmarky Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 wow, warranty work done without receipts for your oil changes? congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 when it comes to SOA you just have to be persistent. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tantrumtwo Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Hey I found this looking on the web and these guys are sell turbos and use a special bolt with holes that are opened up. The links are at the bottom off the page. http://store.forcedperformance.net/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=Info_SubaruOil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3L1onz Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Great find and post man. I printed the pdf to take to my shop to ensure my new VF46 doesn't suffer the same fate as my VF40. I wish my 3rd post had been anywhere near this useful - very welcome aboard!! Hey I found this looking on the web and these guys are sell turbos and use a special bolt with holes that are opened up. The links are at the bottom off the page. http://store.forcedperformance.net/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=Info_SubaruOil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmad Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Name: Jmad Make: subaru outback xt Mileage: 64'000 Time Out Of Use: 2 so far Problem And Likely Cause: not known yet Modifications: stock engine, only mods are coilovers Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): pending The usual story: CEL, blinking cruise light. then slight rattle and diminished power. Local mechanic suspects blown turbo and after reading this entire post twice, I would imagine he is right. Will call local Dealership (Miller subaru in south jersey) on monday and plead my case. I bought my 2003 forester there, so they may be more sympathetic. 4-6- update - spoke to subaru and they are willing to investigate with dealership. Towed the car there this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I bought my 2003 forester there, so they may be more sympathetic. It is SOA that needs to be sympathetic not dealer but having two cars should give you better leverage. Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibbob Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Make: 2005 Outback XT Mileage: 54,000 Time Out Of Use: 6 weeks and counting Problem And Likely Cause: Plugged AVCS and turbo lines Modifications: none Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): yes. No questions asked the first time. Had to provide maintenence records when the bottom went out. Your Story: Turbo puked first of the year. Knocking and smoking bad when it got towed in. Parts changer noted bearing material in oil but they only replaced oil lines and turbo. Bottom end lasted another 2k miles. They have been trying for the last 5 weeks to build a motor for it. Last I knew the only new parts they wanted to use were a short block and heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eVoMotion Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Welcome. I have wondered why more engines have not been damaged. Keep us posted. Make: 2005 Outback XT Mileage: 54,000 Time Out Of Use: 6 weeks and counting Problem And Likely Cause: Plugged AVCS and turbo lines Modifications: none Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): yes. No questions asked the first time. Had to provide maintenence records when the bottom went out. Your Story: Turbo puked first of the year. Knocking and smoking bad when it got towed in. Parts changer noted bearing material in oil but they only replaced oil lines and turbo. Bottom end lasted another 2k miles. They have been trying for the last 5 weeks to build a motor for it. Last I knew the only new parts they wanted to use were a short block and heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odenheimer Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 The banjo bolt took my dealer "3 hours" to change. I am having some major problems with my car as well. I have an 05 GT with 41,000 miles. I started using Mobil 1 full synthetic around 8,000 miles. I noticed low oil readings on my dipstick around 19,000 miles. I had them start doing consumption tests. It started burning around one quart every 1,340 miles, which is just under their "acceptable" burn rate. A few times I did not even see any oil on my dipstick!! Two months ago it went through 2 quarts in 2,000 miles...excessive if I do say so. After only 1,000 miles on my 2,000 mile consumption test, I took it in due to...no oil on the dipstick! It burned 2 quarts in only 1,000 miles!! But wait. The regional S.O.A. rep says synthetic burns "1.5 to 2 times more than regular oil." I kid you not. My car just burned TWO friggin quarts in 1,000 miles. I don't drive a RX-8. He said the use of "synthetic and my 'aggressive driving habits'" are the problem. Ummm....no! Anybody have any thoughts? I have always changed my oil on time at the dealer. I even called corporate Exxon/Mobil about the reps Mobil 1 claim and they claimed "B.S." Now they switched me back to "regular Subaru oil" and want to restart the consumption test. I am so mad right now. This is ridiculous. Anyone else have these consumption problems with synthetic and any similar S.O.A lame excuses? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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