Misfiring 3rd Cylinder on MY02 WRX
03-04-2003 | 11:48 AM
#16
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Posts: n/a
Hello anyone who's reading:
In my last post on this topic, my sub dealer claimed to have a fix for the problem (see first post), but it apparently did not fix the problem. My engine light came on again and I took my car in immediately.
This time, it is mis-firing on the 1st and 3rd cylinders. They did a leak test and found that oil is leaking into both those cylinders.
WHOO - F-ing - HOO for ME!!
So they're going to take the whole engine apart to find the real problem. Meanwhile, I am trying to decide just how much I should be freaking out about this. My car has only 28K...hasn't even made it to it's first major tune-up and it has leaking oil in two cylinders.
Any advice, opinions, testimony?? I'd appreciate any relevant thought.
fil22
In my last post on this topic, my sub dealer claimed to have a fix for the problem (see first post), but it apparently did not fix the problem. My engine light came on again and I took my car in immediately.
This time, it is mis-firing on the 1st and 3rd cylinders. They did a leak test and found that oil is leaking into both those cylinders.
WHOO - F-ing - HOO for ME!!
So they're going to take the whole engine apart to find the real problem. Meanwhile, I am trying to decide just how much I should be freaking out about this. My car has only 28K...hasn't even made it to it's first major tune-up and it has leaking oil in two cylinders.
Any advice, opinions, testimony?? I'd appreciate any relevant thought.
fil22
03-04-2003 | 11:53 AM
#17
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
You should be in for a new motor, if it's leaking oil in both of them- but it should be covered by warranty.
Sorry to hear about that though, seems you do in fact have a more serious problem.
Let us know how it goes....
Sorry to hear about that though, seems you do in fact have a more serious problem.
Let us know how it goes....
03-04-2003 | 11:58 AM
#18
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New motor? If it's that serious...I may try to push for a new car.
At 28K, that stuff should not be happening. Should I wait to hear the diaognosis, or ask them to replace the motor now?
The car is stock and most of the mileage is freeway travel. I've never raced it or beat on it...rarely even mash the gas. I am really surprised and freaked that this happened. Bad for subaru.
At 28K, that stuff should not be happening. Should I wait to hear the diaognosis, or ask them to replace the motor now?
The car is stock and most of the mileage is freeway travel. I've never raced it or beat on it...rarely even mash the gas. I am really surprised and freaked that this happened. Bad for subaru.
03-04-2003 | 12:05 PM
#19
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
You should definetly wait to see what they say, it might be something easily fixed, but in the worst case- if it's only the motor that gave up- having the whole car replaced gives you a thousand other new systems that might go wrong, getting a new motor under warranty should have you golden.
Remember, these things are just a bunch of metal pieces that are cast stamped, machined and screwed together, defects are rare, but they do happen on occasion and that is why they have warrenties.
Are there other things going wrong with it? Lemon laws usually only apply after like 4 malfunctions without being able to be repaired, standard warranties are supposed to cover things like this.
Remember, these things are just a bunch of metal pieces that are cast stamped, machined and screwed together, defects are rare, but they do happen on occasion and that is why they have warrenties.
Are there other things going wrong with it? Lemon laws usually only apply after like 4 malfunctions without being able to be repaired, standard warranties are supposed to cover things like this.
03-04-2003 | 12:12 PM
#20
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Posts: n/a
This is the second trip for this malfunction, but the other's have been much less significant. I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst and at the same time, keeping my cool about it all.
I will wait to see what they say. I hope it brings me a new motor. I don't like the idea that this happened, which has caused damage to the engine, and then to possibly have a simple fix...yes it would fix it, but what about the wear and tear that happened while it was leaking? I worry about the long-term damage that may be overlooked.
Appreciate your response. This is the first new car I've bought and this issue is unsetteling to say the least.
When I get the final word, I'll post it all.
I will wait to see what they say. I hope it brings me a new motor. I don't like the idea that this happened, which has caused damage to the engine, and then to possibly have a simple fix...yes it would fix it, but what about the wear and tear that happened while it was leaking? I worry about the long-term damage that may be overlooked.
Appreciate your response. This is the first new car I've bought and this issue is unsetteling to say the least.
When I get the final word, I'll post it all.
03-05-2003 | 04:38 PM
#21
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Posts: n/a
Do you feel the misfire? I have not gotten any codes, but I do have a low RPM misfire under load. Usually around 3-4000, when the boost comes on. It is a surging misfire, like what I have seen caused by "glazed" plugs before in other, older cars. I have not investigated it yet, as it just started being more noticable a month or so back and I am still trying to figure it out. On a steep hill, in 2nd I can get some major surging now. Not a bucking, but some clear misfire/starvation --- something.
10,000 miles (Mobil 1, on 4th change)
always high quality premium gas
always cool it down
10,000 miles (Mobil 1, on 4th change)
always high quality premium gas
always cool it down
03-05-2003 | 05:04 PM
#22
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Posts: n/a
At first it wasn't as noticeable, but before taking it in the second time, I definitely felt the misfire.
You may want to take it in unless you've got a lot of room left on your warranty. I've babied my car and it's had a lot of freeway travel, but that is about it.
I haven't heard from them yet so I don't know what the real problem is or if I'll be getting a new motor.
You may want to take it in unless you've got a lot of room left on your warranty. I've babied my car and it's had a lot of freeway travel, but that is about it.
I haven't heard from them yet so I don't know what the real problem is or if I'll be getting a new motor.
03-06-2003 | 02:57 PM
#23
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Posts: n/a
Hey there. Need advice from anyone who's in the know.
I got a message from my dealer telling me that they hadn't yet found anything completely broken on the car, but they are going to replace my 1st and 3rd pistons. Sounds fishy to me...sounds like they don't know what's wrong and this is only to appease.
I personally don't like the idea of having two pistons that are brand new, two that have 28k on them and still no clear cut solution to fix my car.
What to do, what to do. This really sucks.
I got a message from my dealer telling me that they hadn't yet found anything completely broken on the car, but they are going to replace my 1st and 3rd pistons. Sounds fishy to me...sounds like they don't know what's wrong and this is only to appease.
I personally don't like the idea of having two pistons that are brand new, two that have 28k on them and still no clear cut solution to fix my car.
What to do, what to do. This really sucks.
03-06-2003 | 03:02 PM
#24
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
ask for more information
like why are they replacing the pistons? what other things could be wrong? why aren't you getting a whole new engine?
Make them explain their position.
That's what I'd do, but I'm just another customer, not really one "in the know"..... although if ever in the same situation I would share your fears- especially if you don't feel like you are getting the whole story.
Make them explain their position.
That's what I'd do, but I'm just another customer, not really one "in the know"..... although if ever in the same situation I would share your fears- especially if you don't feel like you are getting the whole story.
03-07-2003 | 11:18 AM
#25
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Posts: n/a
FYI - I'm going to visit the dealer today to have the head mechanic explain it all to me. So far they still can't or have chosen not to say exactly what is wrong with the car. They currently say they're going to replace the pistons and rings in 1 and 3. They hope that will fix the leak.
I plan on asking for all pistons to be replaced. Even if they are working fine, it doesn't make sense to have two pistons with 28K and two new ones. If they stonewall me, I'll be asking for a free extension on the engine warranty or at least the pistons.
I will ask why a new motor is not warranted also.
No matter what, this SUCKS.
Just so you know, the symptons my car exhibited were sudden "hicups" or loss of power for brief moments during acceleration (which was the misfiring I guess). I also started getting bad gas mileage. During acceleration in 2nd gear, there would be a "hicup" between 5000 and 6000 rpms. Overall, the car's performance was sub-par.
Keep an eye out for oil leaks on yours. Could be a similar problem. If it's a fundamental flaw in the engine, it's not likely your dealer will be on your side.
peace - fil22
I plan on asking for all pistons to be replaced. Even if they are working fine, it doesn't make sense to have two pistons with 28K and two new ones. If they stonewall me, I'll be asking for a free extension on the engine warranty or at least the pistons.
I will ask why a new motor is not warranted also.
No matter what, this SUCKS.
Just so you know, the symptons my car exhibited were sudden "hicups" or loss of power for brief moments during acceleration (which was the misfiring I guess). I also started getting bad gas mileage. During acceleration in 2nd gear, there would be a "hicup" between 5000 and 6000 rpms. Overall, the car's performance was sub-par.
Keep an eye out for oil leaks on yours. Could be a similar problem. If it's a fundamental flaw in the engine, it's not likely your dealer will be on your side.
peace - fil22
03-26-2003 | 09:33 AM
#26
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Posts: n/a
Hello again,
Well, a full three and a half weeks later and my car is ready to pick up. I get it this afternoon.
Here's what happened. As I posted before, they were going to replace only two pistons and the rings on those pistons. I pushed back and said even if it's total overkill, they should do all 4. After a few calls to SOA, they took a couple looks at my car and eventually agreed to do all 4. The problem may have been that the rings were not seated properly. I hope it all goes well from this point.
Dealing with SOA was a little frustrating but it paid off in the end. I had to call 4 times before getting to talk to a senior representative. I told them that regardless of the repair fixing the problem, I was no longer a happy WRX owner (especially after being without it for 3 weeks). Long story short, I said to have this kind of repair at only 28K really lowered my confidence in SOA and the car's reliablility in the future. Also, if I decide to sell the car, I will have to disclose this event to a possible buyer which could reduce the value of the car to the buyer. So no matter what, I am left feeling like this isn't good all together. Ultimately, after a long talk with SOA, they gave me the extended warranty...the "gold" service contract...7/100k I believe.
It was a messy experience and I can't believe it took 3 & 1/2 weeks. But SOA took care of it. I could go into more details about it, but don't want to type so much.
If any one wants to know more about the ordeal, I'll post more. I have to drive my car first to see it for myself.
fil22
Well, a full three and a half weeks later and my car is ready to pick up. I get it this afternoon.
Here's what happened. As I posted before, they were going to replace only two pistons and the rings on those pistons. I pushed back and said even if it's total overkill, they should do all 4. After a few calls to SOA, they took a couple looks at my car and eventually agreed to do all 4. The problem may have been that the rings were not seated properly. I hope it all goes well from this point.
Dealing with SOA was a little frustrating but it paid off in the end. I had to call 4 times before getting to talk to a senior representative. I told them that regardless of the repair fixing the problem, I was no longer a happy WRX owner (especially after being without it for 3 weeks). Long story short, I said to have this kind of repair at only 28K really lowered my confidence in SOA and the car's reliablility in the future. Also, if I decide to sell the car, I will have to disclose this event to a possible buyer which could reduce the value of the car to the buyer. So no matter what, I am left feeling like this isn't good all together. Ultimately, after a long talk with SOA, they gave me the extended warranty...the "gold" service contract...7/100k I believe.
It was a messy experience and I can't believe it took 3 & 1/2 weeks. But SOA took care of it. I could go into more details about it, but don't want to type so much.
If any one wants to know more about the ordeal, I'll post more. I have to drive my car first to see it for myself.
fil22
05-01-2004 | 08:22 PM
#28
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 499
From: Sacramento, CA
Car Info: '05 black c6
fil22, final verdict? How's everything running on there?
I'm curious because I am currently running into the near same problems I'd say. Half a year ago, took my 03 in for misfires in cyl 1. Then this afternoon, a little over 22,500 miles, popped a CEL. Dropped it off at the dealer and got a call in the afternoon that I was having misfires again. They're keeping 'er over the weekend and then they'll lemme know their plans on monday.
Last time, they sent my ECU for a reflash...took care of the problem 'till now.
I'm curious because I am currently running into the near same problems I'd say. Half a year ago, took my 03 in for misfires in cyl 1. Then this afternoon, a little over 22,500 miles, popped a CEL. Dropped it off at the dealer and got a call in the afternoon that I was having misfires again. They're keeping 'er over the weekend and then they'll lemme know their plans on monday.
Last time, they sent my ECU for a reflash...took care of the problem 'till now.
Last edited by Batto; 05-01-2004 at 08:26 PM.
05-01-2004 | 08:38 PM
#29
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iTrader: (23)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,968
From: Fremont
Car Info: 1999 2.5RS / 2004 Forester X
My '99 RS was misfiring on the 3rd cylinder a few weeks ago. I could totally feel it and the car was running like s*** plus throwing a CEL. I took it to Carlsen Subaru and they found that I needed a new ignition coil and spark plug wire, and then they reset my ECU (I tried that too but didnt help) So it was mainly the ignition coil / plug wire, now I have no CEL and the car runs perfectly. Hope this helps.
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