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7500 miles done, engine gone, Subaru saying warranty is invalid

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Old 22 April 2010, 09:27 AM
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rb5 286
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Default 7500 miles done, engine gone, Subaru saying warranty is invalid

because I fitted a cat back exhaust!!!


Pistons 2 & 3 are showing low compression on tests.

I know there have been other hatch engines with same problems on standard/PPP exhausts!!!

so they cant go ****in me off with that excuse that it was down to my exhaust making the engine go.


I think its time to get trading standards and watchdog involved
Old 22 April 2010, 09:43 AM
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rb5 286
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Update: Spoken to Adrian Hogg of Subaru UK, they are saying that because i removed the cat from the I have invalidated the warranty

thats amazing considering i have fitted a CAT BACK system!!!


Awaiting a call back as he said AMC told them the cats have been removed.
Old 22 April 2010, 09:45 AM
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DaveBeck
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Do they not make it clear that they will not cover warranty if you modify the engine?

Really feel for you mate as its bollox but a get out clause they can use
Old 22 April 2010, 09:45 AM
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DaveBeck
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Do they not make it clear that they will not cover warranty if you modify the engine?

Really feel for you mate as its bollox but a get out clause they can use
Old 22 April 2010, 09:53 AM
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53
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I would think it unwise to pi55 off the RB320/RB5 OC Chairman ! Time for Subaru to impress not alienate its following IMHO !
Old 22 April 2010, 09:58 AM
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rb5 286
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after they contact us yesterday for a shoot out for the spec ed's against teh STI cosworth too!!!



right so let me get this straight, if my exhaust (standard) got a hole in it somehow, Subaru would replace it under warranty


NO, the exhaust is a consumable part and not covered by warranty anyway.

and as for modifying the engine, I havent, just a cat back centre pipe and backbox
Old 22 April 2010, 10:07 AM
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Hope it comes out well
Old 22 April 2010, 10:15 AM
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urban
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They'll do all they can to avoid a payout - warranty isn't that dissimilar to car insurance.

I hope you get the right result
Old 22 April 2010, 10:26 AM
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sling a standard zorst back on and ask them to prove you changed it
Old 22 April 2010, 10:38 AM
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Maz
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Originally Posted by rb5 286
because I fitted a cat back exhaust!!!


Pistons 2 & 3 are showing low compression on tests.

I know there have been other hatch engines with same problems on standard/PPP exhausts!!!

so they cant go ****in me off with that excuse that it was down to my exhaust making the engine go.


I think its time to get trading standards and watchdog involved

Fitting a non standard part is bound to invalidate the warranty. It's common sense not to prat about with a car whilst under warranty, and if you do clear it with Subaru first. It's also besides the point what you changed any change will invalidate the warranty fact and common sense.
Old 22 April 2010, 10:45 AM
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CaptainJohn
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Sounds like a crap dealer you have there mate , thats the problem.
Some Subaru dealers are selling new Imprezas with Milltek exhaust systems fitted instead of the gash standard one , cat back , and they all have full and validated Subaru warranties so your dealer is just working you IMHO.
Old 22 April 2010, 10:49 AM
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Mr Wagon
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How old is the car ?
Old 22 April 2010, 11:07 AM
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rb5 286
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7500 miles, less then 1 year old
Old 22 April 2010, 11:13 AM
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urban
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Originally Posted by powerwrx
sling a standard zorst back on and ask them to prove you changed it
Considering the dealer already has the car I'd imagine that your suggestion is a tad late.
Old 22 April 2010, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by urban
Considering the dealer already has the car I'd imagine that your suggestion is a tad late.

Hop the fence in the wee small hours, with your tool kit and a balaclava.

Last edited by Myles; 22 April 2010 at 11:38 AM.
Old 22 April 2010, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Einstein RA
Fitting a non standard part is bound to invalidate the warranty. It's common sense not to prat about with a car whilst under warranty, and if you do clear it with Subaru first. It's also besides the point what you changed any change will invalidate the warranty fact and common sense.
We all know that any insurer or warranty provider will try to get out of any claim, usually by means of small print conditions. So if you modify, you accept responsibility for problems.
If you are not prepared to give up warranty, don't modify, then you have some hope that they may uphold your claim.
Sad but true. Its not all the "nanny state" its cracked up to be.....
Old 22 April 2010, 11:42 AM
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Simon C
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TBH Stan, this popped engine lark is becoming a joke, Subaru need to step up and sort it out.

According to the blurb in the warranty pack its been invalidated on mine and as we all know, I haven't touched mine yet.

Why's mine invalid, becuase of our driver traning day, technically its been tracked.

Its even worse if Mark was told a cat back system wouldn't harm his warranty.
Old 22 April 2010, 11:51 AM
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stuart2008sti
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Feel for you had the same problem with mine never again.

https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...e-failure.html
Old 22 April 2010, 12:01 PM
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SPG
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Originally Posted by CaptainJohn
Sounds like a crap dealer you have there mate , thats the problem.
Some Subaru dealers are selling new Imprezas with Milltek exhaust systems fitted instead of the gash standard one , cat back , and they all have full and validated Subaru warranties so your dealer is just working you IMHO.
I'm sure they are but do you think Subaru warranty is made aware of that when theres a claim from the dealer involved?
Old 22 April 2010, 12:10 PM
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p1doc
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that does not sound good any reasonable dealer would have dealt with it much better
martin
ps i had better not mention my 2 laps of ring lol
Old 22 April 2010, 12:27 PM
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Any decent dealer would have kept it's mouth shut about the exhaust and processed the claim for you. imho
Old 22 April 2010, 12:36 PM
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StanS
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Originally Posted by Simon C
TBH Stan, this popped engine lark is becoming a joke, Subaru need to step up and sort it out.
According to the blurb in the warranty pack its been invalidated on mine and as we all know, I haven't touched mine yet.
Why's mine invalid, becuase of our driver traning day, technically its been tracked.
Its even worse if Mark was told a cat back system wouldn't harm his warranty.
I agree that there are far too many engines failing, some due to faulty early map, some through piston/ringland failure after spiking, so it is an embarassing time for IM who will just carry on whilst the buyers (who had successful warranty claims) get their engines rebuilt using the same parts that failed in the first place, whilst finding any excuses to not uphold other warranty claims - no change there. So if you buy a car with this history you are forewarned that some engine issues need attention. Sadly Subaru don't seem to fully sort these issues. I decided with my last one ('98 - when piston slap was the big issue) and this one that it was more than likely going to be down to me to sort any problems. I also took on board that as soon as I modified it, I was on my own anyway.
I agree that Subaru supplying a performance car and not expecting the owners to use the full potential of the car that they designed and supplied is ridiculous, as is their dismissing a warranty claim because at some point the car was taken on a wet grip day ! (I have missed what happened to yours Simon ) I would be interested to know why, in reality, they believe that a wet grip day could have damaged the car.
But I would not expect Subaru to uphold a claim if someone had not taken reasonable care of the car eg done 60 laps on a track day without a break to check engine and let it cool down, or failing to monitor oil, water etc.

Each claim should be taken as an individual case and not dismissed straight away because it seems you broke a warranty condition or term.
Its down to the individual to persue the claim fully to get past the initial try on which they hope will cause you to drop the case. Not easy though.

Last edited by StanS; 22 April 2010 at 12:50 PM.
Old 22 April 2010, 12:40 PM
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thats a joke,hope they come to gd and fix the car under warranty
Old 22 April 2010, 12:45 PM
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Flip if it was me I would have the old exhaust straight back on it and take it to another dealer
Old 22 April 2010, 12:58 PM
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Can see the argument on all sides, hopefully common sense will prevail and they fix it FOC.
Best of luck
Old 22 April 2010, 12:59 PM
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Far too late I'm afraid...

A file at I.M has already been opened aginst the vehicle & the fact that the claim has been rejected has been recorded.

It wouldn't matter where you take it now.
Old 22 April 2010, 01:01 PM
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Simon C
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Originally Posted by StanS

Each claim should be taken as an individual case and not dismissed straight away because it seems you broke a warranty condition or term.
Its down to the individual to persue the claim fully to get past the initial try on which they hope will cause you to drop the case. Not easy though.
I agree with this, alas our importer doesn't.

Nothing has gone wrong with mine yet (touches wood). I was saying it would appear IM warranty isn't worth the paper is printed on.
Old 22 April 2010, 01:09 PM
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Flip if that was me I would craic!! I would be on to Subaru Uk giving them hell as the exhaust fitted had nothing to do with this failure but the well known problem of the ECU.
Old 22 April 2010, 01:29 PM
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rb5 286
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as this is not the cause of the engine failure the warranty is still, in fact, valid.

An email is being written up now and going direct to the IM directors as I am not happy with the service I have been given and the fob off attempt to make me pay for the repairs.
Old 22 April 2010, 01:33 PM
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Good for you mate. Take no s**t


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