EJ25 oil pickups grenading?

[1 Lucky Texan]

Steve or others....have you got any info confirming the concerns shown
in this thread? ;http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?
t=1920420

just trying to determine how concerned I should be about my 06 WRX
wagon.

tia

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[S]

Hi Carl!

Steve or others....have you got any info confirming the concerns shown
in this thread? ;http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?
t=1920420

just trying to determine how concerned I should be about my 06 WRX
wagon.

I haven't heard about this, but then I haven't been staying on top of
the newer WRX cars either.
I looked thru the fotos, and it doesn't look very well supported, does
it? I can imagine that a combination of thin, or poor quality tubing,
and rough roads at speed (rally wannabes?), or even engine vibrations
(lotsa trips to redline?) could cause failures as described. Probably
less of an issue for the "average" driver, or we would have heard way
more uproar.
If it were my car, tho, I think I'd wait 'til the factory warranty
expired, and install the aftermarket pickup tube. It doesn't appear to
be too difficult, and (alas) I fall into the rally/redline category
;-)

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[basia]

Probably less of an issue for the "average" driver,
or we would have heard way more uproar.

Probably, ...but then how much uproar does
one hear about the head gasket issue. Not really
much, considering it is an obvious engineering defect.

Subaru take on bad engineering seems to be that i
f the issue does not affect primarily the original owner
within the warranty period, ...it is being ignored.

Second hand owners do not cause much uproar and
pay for repairs themselves, while iriginal owners within
warranty period get patch-up solutions, good for only a
very limited time, ...essentially to get you past warranty
period, like the 50 cent coolant conditioner solution to
a major engine design deficiency.

I wonder how long can Subaru they keep doing this
before the bottom falls of?

I keep driving my 2000 Impreza 2.2l, even though
have been tempted by newer Subarus on numerous
occasions. I have high hopes for the new 2.5L engine
(2010 Legacy/Outback, 2011 Forester), but have to say
I am just plain scared.

Basia

 

[StephenH]

Steve or others....have you got any info confirming the concerns shown
in this thread? ;http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?
t=1920420

just trying to determine how concerned I should be about my 06 WRX
wagon.

tia

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

we saw 2 dead engines related to this a few years ago, but nothing
recently. Haven't had a recall or an inspection. will try to see if
the new subaru part was improved.
I read the entire posts, and first was concerned; but later felt like
the vender liked to "keep the fear alive" He said "If it has an EJ
25... Yes. All EJ series motors have pickup issues and all EJ25 motors
after 2006 have the same exact pickup." yet only 2 in our shop and
none recently.......
I don't know... Ill ask the district rep soon, when I see him.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

we saw 2 dead engines related to this a few years ago, but nothing
recently. Haven't had a recall or an inspection. will try to see if
the new subaru part was improved.
I read the entire posts, and first was concerned; but later felt like
the vender liked to "keep the fear alive" He said "If it has an EJ
25... Yes. All EJ series motors have pickup issues and all EJ25 motors
after 2006 have the same exact pickup." yet only 2 in our shop and
none recently.......
I don't know... Ill ask the district rep soon, when I see him.

I could CERTAINLY understand how a dent to the bottom on the pan could
create a cracked tube or restriction.(as in that one pic) But, like
you, I just wonder how big an issue this is, and whether Subaru even
had a TSB or anything on the problem. If I rallycrossed or frequently
was off-road, it seems like a reasonable concern.

By 'few years ago' what year models were involved? Is this something
that has a definite 'range' of years involved?

thanx for replying.

 

[Stewart DIBBS]

we saw 2 dead engines related to this a few years ago, but nothing

recently.

Interesting. I'm refreshing an EJ25D I got from the local wrecker. The oil
pan had taken a hit in an accident or from being dropped. I got a new oil
pan yesterday, and checked the oil pickup this morning. Sure enough, after
polishing the oil lacquer off, there was a hairline crack down near the
mounting flange.

SD

 

[StephenH]

I could CERTAINLY understand how a dent to the bottom on the pan could
create a cracked tube or restriction.(as in that one pic) But, like
you, I just wonder how big an issue this is, and whether Subaru even
had a TSB or anything on the problem. If I rallycrossed or frequently
was off-road, it seems like a reasonable concern.

By 'few years ago' what year models were involved? Is this something
that has a definite 'range' of years involved?

thanx for replying.

the district rep was at the shop today, said that he has seen them
only on dead engines that had overheated. He didn't know of the two
our shop had; but overall, Subaru had no campaigns or rash of problems
with the tubes killing engines. So officially, Subaru doesn't have an
issue.
There is an old block we just warrantied an engine in the shop; i'll
pull the oil pan and see.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

the district rep was at the shop today, said that he has seen them
only on dead engines that had overheated. He didn't know of the two
our shop had; but overall, Subaru had no campaigns or rash of problems
with the tubes killing engines. So officially, Subaru doesn't have an
issue.
There is an old block we just warrantied an engine in the shop; i'll
pull the oil pan and see.

But the question is, did the crack 'predate' the overheating of the
engine and then, the dead engine issue prompted the inspection/
discovery of the crack? In other words are there a bunch of engines
running around with cracked oil pickups that just haven't been
inspected - yet?

(another 'excuse' to get a gauge cluster for my car - with OIL
PRESSURE, boost/vacuum, and maybe ammeter lol!)

 

[StephenH]

But the question is, did the crack 'predate' the overheating of the
engine and then, the dead engine issue prompted the inspection/
discovery of the crack? In other words are there a bunch of engines
running around with cracked oil pickups that just haven't been
inspected  -  yet?

(another 'excuse' to get a gauge cluster for my car - with OIL
PRESSURE, boost/vacuum, and maybe ammeter  lol!)

the service manager and i agree, this is one of those tings that make
you go "hmmmm"

 

[basia]

But the question is, did the crack 'predate' the overheating of the
engine and then, the dead engine issue prompted the inspection/
discovery of the crack? In other words are there a bunch of engines
running around with cracked oil pickups that just haven't been
inspected  -  yet?

I'd say yes, on the cockroach theory principle!

If there are people who successfully catch their
pickup tubes before they grenade, there are more
of these around than is apparent. You started this
thread Lucky Texan with an example of someone
catching their roach.

Basia