[R P]

I think Sandi means a "loaner"...

Isn't that a given? I can't recall ever not being offered a loaner, if my car had to be left for over a day. Even on day work, have been given loaners for a few hours.

Heck, when I was waiting for my pre-order (2 months), was offered a loaner (when I sold my truck too quickly), just had to pay insurance. I declined that as I didn't want to bother with the paperwork, and we were going away for 3 weeks anyway. We still had another car, that I could share with my wife, so didn't really need it.

 

[bignick]

You should ask if you can take some pictures of the old broken springs (assuming that they are broken). It would be interesting to see if they actually did break at the end of the day.

I'm most certain no springs are broken. The motor uses 16, one only for each valve. The spring keeps the valve tightly closed until it is opened against the resistance of the spring by the cam. A broken spring will greatly reduce or eliminate the ability for the valve to seal compression and combustion gases in the affected cylinder. A potential 25% loss in power would be expected if one spring were to break . This, and a worst case, a catastrophic motor failure resulting in a broken valve, piston, damaged connecting rod and a total motor lock up.

I'm of the impression this is solely a preventive measure, and in reality the possibility of a broken spring is very remote. Subaru is doing the right thing, as most cars having the potential issue are past the warranty period. A valve spring or any motor component should be built to specifications exceeding ability to deal with stresses encountered for the life of the vehicle. I believe the springs in question were discovered to not meet this criteria.

A loaner car will be provided free of charge by Subaru for the duration of the repair.

For those following my hard start issues when the motor is warm or at operating temperature, I was told the valve spring issue is totally unrelated. Makes sense, as I now understand it, either the spring is good, or it breaks.

 

[rlouie]

From reading the information I think you would know if any of the springs were broken- major catastrophe. The point is that the metal used is not up to scratch and may fracture in rare cases. Later models were fitted with thicker diameter springs to address this.

Yes, but BigNick's issue is different. He is actually seeing some symptoms versus the rest of us have not so in theory, his spring may have already broken and that should be clearly visible once the spring is removed.

I also seriously question that Subaru would deem a replacement engine as an option!
My guess is that they will have each car for 3 days whilst they remove the engine and replace the springs. My engine has been out twice previously.
The first time my engine came out to have the cam carrier oil leak fixed they took 3 days. It cannot be quicker than 3 days because after they refit the engine they have to run a lot of checks and testing to ensure it’s running well.
However, I am really hesitant them messing with my engine again because I’m pretty convinced that they caused the resultant bent camshaft found a few weeks later.
Anyway, when the work is being done, insist on a replacement car at no cost.

Subaru had the same thought process in regards to oil consumption and the TSB to replace the piston rings. The TSB started off life with having the dealerships replace the rings at the dealerships but later morph'd into short block replacements for some reason or another.

 

[Sandi]

Isn't that a given? I can't recall ever not being offered a loaner, if my car had to be left for over a day. Even on day work, have been given loaners for a few hours.

Heck, when I was waiting for my pre-order (2 months), was offered a loaner (when I sold my truck too quickly), just had to pay insurance. I declined that as I didn't want to bother with the paperwork, and we were going away for 3 weeks anyway. We still had another car, that I could share with my wife, so didn't really need it.

Definitely not routinely offered at dealerships around my area. If it’s a week long warranty job they might, otherwise you have to ask. They have limited numbers of loan cars and often the job may be put off for weeks so that they have a car available on the day.

 

[IceBlue]

2013 Recall

I just got the notice in the mail last month. The recall was issued last October for faulty engine valve springs. The dealer pulled the engine and replaced the valve springs and also fixed a cam carrier oil leak - no charge since it is still under 60K warranty.
This recall was not listed in consumer reports and I signed up for email notices for recalls, but never received an email notice.
Any other owners who have been through this recall: How did the servicing go for you?

 

[rlouie]

I just got the notice in the mail last month. The recall was issued last October for faulty engine valve springs. The dealer pulled the engine and replaced the valve springs and also fixed a cam carrier oil leak - no charge since it is still under 60K warranty.
This recall was not listed in consumer reports and I signed up for email notices for recalls, but never received an email notice.
Any other owners who have been through this recall: How did the servicing go for you?

How long did the service take?

 

[IceBlue]

Dropped it off on Monday am and picked up on Wed. Got a loaner car. My dealer is 90 miles away and my XV ran fine on the way home. I'm watching for any leaks where I park it.

 

[Sandi]

I just got the notice in the mail last month. The recall was issued last October for faulty engine valve springs. The dealer pulled the engine and replaced the valve springs and also fixed a cam carrier oil leak - no charge since it is still under 60K warranty.
This recall was not listed in consumer reports and I signed up for email notices for recalls, but never received an email notice.
Any other owners who have been through this recall: How did the servicing go for you?

Hey, I had the cam carrier oil leak a couple of years ago when my XV was barely 3 years old. They took the engine out and fixed it but weeks later it had a prominent ticking noise. This took them many visits and engine specialists until they found a bent camshaft. My guess is they put something back wrongly when they fixed the oil leak. So make sure you monitor your engine sounds closely.
We’ve got recall notices in Australia for the engine springs but not the go ahead to get it done yet. Anyone heard anything in Australia?

 

[Axxehead]

Hi, long time lurker. I've owned my 13' XV since new, now at 46k miles. Other than some relatively minor issues, front drivers CV axle replacement, my Subbie has been good to me. No lift, all stock suspension for anyone wondering. Anyhow I got the recall notice last month January. Dropped it off on the 17th and was told it could take up to 3 weeks. I was supposed to get it back today, but was told it sprang a cam seal oil leak on it's test drive. 4 weeks now. This has gotten old. If you can get yours serviced in 7 days or less I'd say that's pretty good, cheers.

 

[orndog]

Hi, long time lurker. I've owned my 13' XV since new, now at 46k miles. Other than some relatively minor issues, front drivers CV axle replacement, my Subbie has been good to me. No lift, all stock suspension for anyone wondering. Anyhow I got the recall notice last month January. Dropped it off on the 17th and was told it could take up to 3 weeks. I was supposed to get it back today, but was told it sprang a cam seal oil leak on it's test drive. 4 weeks now. This has gotten old. If you can get yours serviced in 7 days or less I'd say that's pretty good, cheers.

I'll assume you have a loaner, drive it like it's unlimited mileage - because it is.

 

[DoppelRu]

...was told it could take up to 3 weeks.

3 weeks?!? :shocked:

What are they doing that takes 3 weeks? Hand forging each spring?

 

[rlouie]

3 weeks?!? :shocked:

What are they doing that takes 3 weeks? Hand forging each spring?

The problem is probably between the wrench and the ground... ie the tech probably messed things up.

 

[hogtownrocketsled]

Was told it was a 1 week repair. But am waiting for parts. They will call me to schedule when they get parts.

 

[thesyguy]

My 2013 Impreza Sport was done in two days.

 

[rlouie]

I do find it interesting that in the US they are moving forward with large numbers of repairs while in Canada, I've heard nothing but the original notification.

 

[AstroKats]

I do find it interesting that in the US they are moving forward with large numbers of repairs while in Canada, I've heard nothing but the original notification.

The potential for litigation, perhaps?

 

[#1Grump]

New here as #1Grump, but was previously Grumpaw. Site wouldn't recogonize my password, so I came back as new.
Anyway, dealer did my 2013 XV. Took it in on Tues and Got it back Friday. Only took a day, but there were 3 ahead of me. Gave me a new Outback as a loaner.
New springs, and recall included new coolant, oil, and necessary hardware/gaskets. Had them install new drive belt and plugs while enging was out...parts on me but no labor was charged.
While engine out teck found that throwout bearing was wareing way too much for mileage, so it was replaced for free, even tho out of warranty.
My dealer, Bob Wade Subaru in Harrisonburg, Va is really good to work with. Treat you really well.
Grump

 

[AstroKats]

New here as #1Grump, but was previously Grumpaw. Site wouldn't recogonize my password, so I came back as new.
Anyway, dealer did my 2013 XV. Took it in on Tues and Got it back Friday. Only took a day, but there were 3 ahead of me. Gave me a new Outback as a loaner.
New springs, and recall included new coolant, oil, and necessary hardware/gaskets. Had them install new drive belt and plugs while enging was out...parts on me but no labor was charged.
While engine out teck found that throwout bearing was wareing way too much for mileage, so it was replaced for free, even tho out of warranty.
My dealer, Bob Wade Subaru in Harrisonburg, Va is really good to work with. Treat you really well.
Grump

I loved the Grumpaw name! I hope the techs here can figure that out!

 

[rlouie]

The potential for litigation, perhaps?

Subaru Canada has always been a bit slow with the notifications compared to the US - ie think several weeks. I suspect that it might be a question of getting enough inventory of springs. Also, it might be litigation... but in the US rather than Canada causing the US to get the inventory first. Typically, Canada has less litigation than the US.

 

[rlouie]

New here as #1Grump, but was previously Grumpaw. Site wouldn't recogonize my password, so I came back as new.
Anyway, dealer did my 2013 XV. Took it in on Tues and Got it back Friday. Only took a day, but there were 3 ahead of me. Gave me a new Outback as a loaner.
New springs, and recall included new coolant, oil, and necessary hardware/gaskets. Had them install new drive belt and plugs while enging was out...parts on me but no labor was charged.
While engine out teck found that throwout bearing was wareing way too much for mileage, so it was replaced for free, even tho out of warranty.
My dealer, Bob Wade Subaru in Harrisonburg, Va is really good to work with. Treat you really well.
Grump

Always good to see shoutouts to quality dealers looking after their customers! I wonder if as part of the service will also do the valve stem seals if you pay for the parts - yes, it's way early but considering that they typically start showing some wear in a few years from now (since we are talking 2012/13 cars), it might be a cost effective move now rather than having them replaced later.