Oil in spark plug sleeves

[Todd H.]

Hi Todd, et. al.:

Well, it went into the dealership and I have the answers - lets go from
worst to first...

1. Whining noise - they say a belt wasn't tight enough. I don't believe it
but I can't be sure until I try it when it is below freezing and I start the
cold engine. The jury is still out on this one...

Personally, I agree with em. The noise from belts is either the
belt's glazed and worn out, or just not tight enough.

2. Creaking noise - a suspension bushing. Bushing is $40.00 or so, plus 3
hours(!) of shop time to install it. $450.00 to stop the creaking noise.
They say that it won't affect function of suspension, but would stop the
noise. I am going to turn the radio up, drown out the creaking and live with
it...

Good plan.

3. Oil in spark plug sleeves. Well, yes, that is happening due to failed
seals. They *could* fix it to the tune of oh, $500.00 or so... BUT..... wait
for it........................... there isn't much point............ since I
need to replace.......................you guessed it.......... the head
gaskets! AGAIN!! And the service manager SWEARS that THIS time the fix will
be permanent....

Woot. No charge to you though right?

All and all, not a bad day at the dealership!

Me, I put over $4k into my goddamn car this year.

 

[Fred Boer]

Woot. No charge to you though right?
It is to laugh. No. My cost.

Oh, I can try to make a fuss with Subaru (and I guess I will have to...),
but no, it's all mine!

--
Fred Boer - Amateur Access Enthusiast
Interests: Library software / Z39.50 / Web Services
Freeware Small Library Application available here:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/lornarourke/
permanent....

 

[Fred Boer]

As this is a "known" problem which they have "fixed" before can you get
them to 'wear' the labour while you 'wear' the parts??

At this point no - I have to go fight with Subaru. I forsee a painful,
wearying exchange of calls, letters, emails... Likely with little to show
for it...

Cheers!

 

[Fred Boer]

Dear Todd:

P.S.

If I have time this weekend, I'll tally up my costs of the last year or so
and we can see whose top dog!

 

[Todd H.]

It is to laugh. No. My cost.

Oh, I can try to make a fuss with Subaru (and I guess I will have to...),
but no, it's all mine!

2nd head gasket job.... hell no.

Call
Customer/Dealer Services
(800) SUBARU3 [(800) 782-2783]
8:30-7:00 EST M-Th
10:30-5:00 EST F

Open a case. What you're dealing with is ridiculous.

Best Regards,

 

[Fred Boer]

Thanks for the encouragement, Todd! I will, of course, be making a great big
noisy fuss - but I had to give the go-ahead for the repairs as I can't
really be without the car for the time it might take to take this fight to
Subaru.

The car will be ready for pickup on Monday evening. I begin work on putting
my case together to approach Subaru starting tomorrow...

Cheers!

P.S. Thanks for the phone number - but I'm in Ontario, Canada, so I'll look
up the Canadian equivalent.

--
Fred Boer - Amateur Access Enthusiast
Interests: Library software / Z39.50 / Web Services
Freeware Small Library Application available here:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/lornarourke/

It is to laugh. No. My cost.

Oh, I can try to make a fuss with Subaru (and I guess I will have to...),
but no, it's all mine!

2nd head gasket job.... hell no.

Call
Customer/Dealer Services
(800) SUBARU3 [(800) 782-2783]
8:30-7:00 EST M-Th
10:30-5:00 EST F

Open a case. What you're dealing with is ridiculous.

Best Regards,

 

[Fred Boer]

For those of you still interested...

1. Whining noise - they say a belt wasn't tight enough. I don't believe it
but I can't be sure until I try it when it is below freezing and I start
the cold engine. The jury is still out on this one...

As I suspected the belt tightening had no effect. Subaru dealership is
pointing the finger at the aftermarket replacement power steering pump. The
fact that the original Subaru pump made the same noise is
irrelevant/discounted. So, no resolution here - back to my own mechanic to
see what they can do.

2. Creaking noise - a suspension bushing. Bushing is $40.00 or so, plus 3
hours(!) of shop time to install it. $450.00 to stop the creaking noise.

"Saturating" the bushing, no effect. Still creaks like crazy. Living with
it.

3. Oil in spark plug sleeves. Well, yes, that is happening due to failed
seals. They *could* fix it to the tune of oh, $500.00 or so... BUT.....
wait for it........................... there isn't much point............
since I need to replace.......................you guessed it.......... the
head gaskets! AGAIN!! And the service manager SWEARS that THIS time the
fix will be permanent....

$2100.00 later... I am back on the road. Beginning the preparation for
opening a case with Subaru. At 90,000 km I had the head gaskets done, the
water pump replaced and the radiator replaced. Conditioner was *not* used by
the dealership (their records), and I was *not* told to use conditioner.

Wish me luck in my fight!

Cheers!
Fred

 

[Todd H.]

For those of you still interested...


As I suspected the belt tightening had no effect. Subaru dealership is
pointing the finger at the aftermarket replacement power steering pump. The
fact that the original Subaru pump made the same noise is
irrelevant/discounted. So, no resolution here - back to my own mechanic to
see what they can do.


"Saturating" the bushing, no effect. Still creaks like crazy. Living with
it.


$2100.00 later... I am back on the road. Beginning the preparation for
opening a case with Subaru. At 90,000 km I had the head gaskets done, the
water pump replaced and the radiator replaced. Conditioner was *not* used by
the dealership (their records), and I was *not* told to use conditioner.

Wish me luck in my fight!

Oooh. That conditioner bit may be just the piece of dealer screwup to
help you win. Now that money's been paid and exchanged, I'm not sure
what their remediation will be.... it'll be itneresting though. Keep
us posted! Don't give up!

 

[fred.boer]

Just the latest installment:

Some paperwork has been gathered and sent to Subaru...

Car was still running badly. Took it in today. After $2100 for 2nd
head gaskets... today's exciting bill: $450 for ignition coil...

Add to the list:

Oxygen sensor
Radiator
Water Pump
Tie Rod
Power Steering Pump
2 Head Gasket Repairs
Ignition Coil

.... and more... (that's just what I can think off off the top of my
head...)

They can't stop smiling when they see me coming...Sigh....

Fred

 

[Bonehenge (B A R R Y)]

Just the latest installment:

Sorry, I missed the whole story.

By chance, was your car ever in an accident?

 

[Todd H.]

Sorry, I missed the whole story.

By chance, was your car ever in an accident?

Yes. One might argue it was in the accident of purchasing a 2001 or
2002 Outback with an H-4.

I'm a victim of a similar accident, and it cost me $4k in maintenance
in calendar 2007.

 

[Bonehenge (B A R R Y)]

Yes. One might argue it was in the accident of purchasing a 2001 or
2002 Outback with an H-4.

I'm a victim of a similar accident, and it cost me $4k in maintenance
in calendar 2007.

So, should I be glad I sold my H4 '01 OBW in 2005?

I really liked the car (A LOT!) while I had it. I really needed
another pickup. My plan was to dump the wife's Wrangler and keep the
Subie. I couldn't pry her fingers off the Jeep. 8^)

If it makes you feel any better, the only good thing about the Jeep is
that I'm a mechanical guy.

 

[Todd H.]

So, should I be glad I sold my H4 '01 OBW in 2005?

Yeah. If you were headed to an experience like the 2 relayed in this
thread.

I really liked the car (A LOT!) while I had it.

Liked mine until this past January.

If it makes you feel any better, the only good thing about the Jeep is
that I'm a mechanical guy.

Suddenly I find myself with a Jeep Liberty. The only thing I like
about it is that my wife likes to drive it, so I can have my friggin
Outback back!

 

[Fred Boer]

Hi!

Picked up the car this morning - drove it two blocks and it stalled,
backfired, stumbled, and I did a U-turn back to the dealership. I asked the
rather dubious service manager to just take it out. He confirmed the
problem. One hour to drive there, 40 minutes to pay the bill, drive away,
drive back, another hour to drive home. My morning wasted, and $450.00
spent - nothing has improved.

$3,000.00 in 3 weeks and the car is undriveable.

The saga continues... I think at this point, however, I might forgo the
bulletins and let you know when the situation is finally resolved.

 

[Todd H.]

Jesus... What dealerSHIT is this? Don't they know how to test
drive a car before returning it?

Hi!

Picked up the car this morning - drove it two blocks and it stalled,
backfired, stumbled, and I did a U-turn back to the dealership. I asked the
rather dubious service manager to just take it out. He confirmed the
problem. One hour to drive there, 40 minutes to pay the bill, drive away,
drive back, another hour to drive home. My morning wasted, and $450.00
spent - nothing has improved.

$3,000.00 in 3 weeks and the car is undriveable.

The saga continues... I think at this point, however, I might forgo the
bulletins and let you know when the situation is finally resolved.