Which is why I suggested getting an independent mechanic to write it up.
Occassional Smoke on Start (18 limited)
Hi All,
Did some searching but not finding anything relevant or conclusive. In the last few months and on a handful of occassions, my 18 limited with 68k miles has coughed up a whitish/greyish/not quite blueish puff of smoke for a second or two on starts. This even when temps are high/moderate and the engine had been previously running during the day. The dealer is baffled and since it only happens once in a while, hard to reproduce or predict. Dealer checked the PCV valve and it has been replaced under the recall already long ago... additionally it wasn't wet showing any sign of failure. Yet, here we are. Any ideas or anyone with similar experience? I'm not documenting any fluid loss either water or oil... stumped.
Thanks in advance.
Did some searching but not finding anything relevant or conclusive. In the last few months and on a handful of occassions, my 18 limited with 68k miles has coughed up a whitish/greyish/not quite blueish puff of smoke for a second or two on starts. This even when temps are high/moderate and the engine had been previously running during the day. The dealer is baffled and since it only happens once in a while, hard to reproduce or predict. Dealer checked the PCV valve and it has been replaced under the recall already long ago... additionally it wasn't wet showing any sign of failure. Yet, here we are. Any ideas or anyone with similar experience? I'm not documenting any fluid loss either water or oil... stumped.
Thanks in advance.
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What are the Lemon Laws in your state? I had a Land Rover Discovery bought back because they couldn't fix coolant leaking into the passenger area.
Why doesn't BL make TVs? Because they can't make them leak.
Why doesn't BL make TVs? Because they can't make them leak.
I have another retailer that is willing to look at it when I get back. I'll still have some warranty time when I return and have also sent the video to a local independent subaru specialist and all my info. They've also offered their input and might get tossed in the mix as well so I have them as back up.
More than one dealer is good. Sorry you're going through this, it's not normal.I have another retailer that is willing to look at it when I get back. I'll still have some warranty time when I return and have also sent the video to a local independent subaru specialist and all my info. They've also offered their input and might get tossed in the mix as well so I have them as back up.
Thank you for the empathy and validation. It has been infuriating to say the least as well as expensive.More than one dealer is good. Sorry you're going through this, it's not normal.
Frankly, this is likely to be my last Subaru thanks to all this.
Don't blame the brand. Weird things happen with every brand...Thank you for the empathy and validation. It has been infuriating to say the least as well as expensive.
Frankly, this is likely to be my last Subaru thanks to all this.
Yup, this is true. All cars have failure rates of certain components. Let's say brand x has a 7% failure rate on transmissions on cars with 100K miles or less. And let's just say that is the average reliability for transmissions on all cars with 100K miles for simplicity's sake. That means 93% of that same brand will not have a transmisson failure by that mileage.Don't blame the brand. Weird things happen with every brand...
Bottom line is if you are one of the unlucky people in that 7%, you don't really care that 93% of those transmissions lasted longer than 100K miles. You are facing down a costly frustrating repair that most won't.
This being said, the fact there are at least 3 people in this thread with this same smoke problem I find concerning as it appears to not be an isolated issue.
Agreed. For now we're just gonna enjoy the week long trial of Toyota 4runner ownership (our rental) and forget about ye ol crosstrek for the week. 😉Yup, this is true. All cars have failure rates of certain components. Let's say brand x has a 7% failure rate on transmissions on cars with 100K miles or less. And let's just say that is the average reliability for transmissions on all cars with 100K miles for simplicity's sake. That means 93% of that same brand will not have a transmisson failure by that mileage.
Bottom line is if you are one of the unlucky people in that 7%, you don't really care that 93% of those transmissions lasted longer than 100K miles. You are facing down a costly frustrating repair that most won't.
This being said, the fact there are at least 3 people in this thread with this same smoke problem I find concerning as it appears to not be an isolated issue.
For what it's worth, I really appreciate everyone's input here and support in this effort. It has been great to get the perspectives. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
Question on warranty coverage, if one reports (documents) an issue before warranty expires is Subaru obligated to cover it when it becomes too serious to ignore even though warranty expired?
So I did my own oil change on my Crosstrek. But I used 5w-30 synthetic and made sure I didn’t overfill it. Used a little bit less than the 4.7 quarts it requires. Not too low where it’s starving for oil or anything but just below that second dot on the dipstick. I haven’t had any smoke yet in about a week so hoping this may help with the smoking problem..
So I did my own oil change on my Crosstrek. But I used 5w-30 synthetic and made sure I didn’t overfill it. Used a little bit less than the 4.7 quarts it requires. Not too low where is starving for oil or anything but just below that second dot on the dipstick. I haven’t had any smoke yet in about a week so hoping this may help with the smoking problem..
For what it's worth, Subaru emailed me back and informed me they won't be extending my warranty. I'll be back home in with about 1800 miles left of my warranty (thanks to renting a car) and will take it up with a new dealer. Subaru thinks the outcome will be the same, but we'll just see.
exciting about the new oil.... keep us posted.
Hey Maxey, have you seen any more smoke since the oil change? Any difference in how it runs or engine noise? I had heard that it quiets things down a bit too. Gas mileage drops a touch, but frankly might be worth it.
Still get smoke with 5w-30…Hey Maxey, have you seen any more smoke since the oil change? Any difference in how it runs or engine noise? I had heard that it quiets things down a bit too. Gas mileage drops a touch, but frankly might be worth it.
But I’ve been testing where I park and it usually smokes on a decline and doesn’t on a flat surface..
How steep is this decline you speak of?Still get smoke with 5w-30…
But I’ve been testing where I park and it usually smokes on a decline and doesn’t on a flat surface..
I would say like a 30° downslope where the front end passenger side slants down more.. so oil is sitting more on that side.How steep is this decline you speak of?
Mine doesn't require much slope to the passenger side to aggravate it and get it to smoke for what it's worth. I notice it way less when it's parked flat but have seen it do it then too.
30°??? Are you sure? That is huge!I would say like a 30° downslope where the front end passenger side slants down more.. so oil is sitting more on that side.
maybe not 30° maybe like 25 2030°??? Are you sure? That is huge!
Just a sloped down parking space into a curb.
Even that is huge. I'm guessing no more than 15°. Anything more that would take tremendous revs to keep from rolling the wrong way. Pics?maybe not 30° maybe like 25 20
Just a sloped down parking space into a curb.
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