Bad Coil caused burned up Piston?!?
#1
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Bad Coil caused burned up Piston?!?
Hey all,
I need to know what you think about this whole fiasco I am dealing with since I am new to the world of Scoobies. It all started when my finace took her 02 WRX wagon to the dealer in Austin, TX a week ago because the "check engine" light was on. The dealer told her that it was being caused by her ECU which needed to be sent to Subaru to be reprogrammed. That would take a week and she was set to move to New Hampshire with me two days later so they said it was fine to drive until she got to NH and could get it reprogrammed up here. She drove it another 1000 miles until we were able to trailer it from TX to NH. My fiance told me how a few times while driving it the "check engine" light would change from constant to flashing and the car would start to "shudder" accompanied by a severe power loss. After a few minutes it would drive normally and the light would return to constant illumination. This past Monday night I dropped it off and put the keys in the "Early Bird/Night Owl" drop and waited for the phone call the next day. I wasn't worried since the car is only at 30,000 miles and it still under warranty. I got a call from the dealer on Tuesday and they told me the dealer in Austin misdiagnosed the problem and that the car had a malfunctioning ignition coil which they would replace and we could pick it up on Wednesday afternoon. This morning I get another call from the dealer saying that the piston and rings with the bad coil were damaged and a valve was scorched as well. They were going to have to pull the engine and disassemble it, them mic everything to check the tolerances. Again, this is thousands of dollars of work and I am thankful that the warranty will cover it, but my question is this. Have any of you ever come across anything like this in your own experiences? If any of you know, could you shed a little light on how a bad coil can cause piston and valve damage? Correct me if I am wrong, but the coil would still have to fire to cause the problem, just at the incorrect time right? If any of you could shed some light on this it would be appreciated.
I need to know what you think about this whole fiasco I am dealing with since I am new to the world of Scoobies. It all started when my finace took her 02 WRX wagon to the dealer in Austin, TX a week ago because the "check engine" light was on. The dealer told her that it was being caused by her ECU which needed to be sent to Subaru to be reprogrammed. That would take a week and she was set to move to New Hampshire with me two days later so they said it was fine to drive until she got to NH and could get it reprogrammed up here. She drove it another 1000 miles until we were able to trailer it from TX to NH. My fiance told me how a few times while driving it the "check engine" light would change from constant to flashing and the car would start to "shudder" accompanied by a severe power loss. After a few minutes it would drive normally and the light would return to constant illumination. This past Monday night I dropped it off and put the keys in the "Early Bird/Night Owl" drop and waited for the phone call the next day. I wasn't worried since the car is only at 30,000 miles and it still under warranty. I got a call from the dealer on Tuesday and they told me the dealer in Austin misdiagnosed the problem and that the car had a malfunctioning ignition coil which they would replace and we could pick it up on Wednesday afternoon. This morning I get another call from the dealer saying that the piston and rings with the bad coil were damaged and a valve was scorched as well. They were going to have to pull the engine and disassemble it, them mic everything to check the tolerances. Again, this is thousands of dollars of work and I am thankful that the warranty will cover it, but my question is this. Have any of you ever come across anything like this in your own experiences? If any of you know, could you shed a little light on how a bad coil can cause piston and valve damage? Correct me if I am wrong, but the coil would still have to fire to cause the problem, just at the incorrect time right? If any of you could shed some light on this it would be appreciated.
#2
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Flashing CEL means misfire. It happens when misfiring happens and then (hopefully) the remaining, solid CEL indicates the exact problem.
As for reprogramming the ECU, that sounds really stupid. I dunno what those TX guys were thinking. They didn't give you anymore info?
To me, what the NH guys are saying sounds totally plausible. The cause of the misfire and the results from misfire will precipitate all sorts of other issues that can wreck other parts involved in the process... like valves, pistons and rings.
jason
As for reprogramming the ECU, that sounds really stupid. I dunno what those TX guys were thinking. They didn't give you anymore info?
To me, what the NH guys are saying sounds totally plausible. The cause of the misfire and the results from misfire will precipitate all sorts of other issues that can wreck other parts involved in the process... like valves, pistons and rings.
jason
#3
There are two types of CEL iluminations. They are flashing and the other is steady on.
Sorry I dont recall which is which. But one means "engine problem, get it fixed as soon as possible" the other means "major problem, shut off engine"
I think I saw this in the owners manual of my WRX or maybe a RS or lastly the factory service manual. Check your owners manual.
Sorry I dont recall which is which. But one means "engine problem, get it fixed as soon as possible" the other means "major problem, shut off engine"
I think I saw this in the owners manual of my WRX or maybe a RS or lastly the factory service manual. Check your owners manual.
#4
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Whatever happens, if it gets covered under warranty, be happy.
Many have been denied warranty work for no good reason, and it sounds like the dealer will take care of your problem properly.
A bit of inconvenience and small expense for a good outcome is much better than not.
Many have been denied warranty work for no good reason, and it sounds like the dealer will take care of your problem properly.
A bit of inconvenience and small expense for a good outcome is much better than not.
#5
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a rat got under the hood of my moms highlander, chewed up 2 spark plug wires. they didnt say anything was wrong with the engine but they did say the ecu got short circuted...so they replaced that and the wires...we were out 300$, insurance picked up the rest...she only drove like 30 miles before taking it to the dealer....just thought id share
#6
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Well, here's the latest update. I got another call from the Subaru service department this morning and "Paul" was finally able to give me some specifics. What he had originally told me was true about the coil causing the misfire condition. He also told me essentially what you all have about the CEL. A constantly illuminated light means there is a problem and to take it in for service asap, while a blinking light means "Shut the engine off NOW!". Well, I guess the fact that I had to drive it a few hundred miles with the flashing CEL is why this happened. Apparently, the unburnt fuel caused the right front cylinder to be washed and I destroyed all the rings and the cylinder lining in the process from a lack of lubrication. (Big suprise there!). They replaced the coil and they have a complete short block on order which will be arriving early next week, ALL under warranty. The only thing I will have to pay out of pocket is for an oil/filter change which it needed anyway. I am sorry and a little suprised to hear that some of you have had bad experiences with Subaru's warranty work. These guys have been great and have given me absolutely NO problems at all. I would buy a Scooby from them in a heartbeat! If anyone is in the southeastern region of NH and in the market for a Scooby, let me know and I'll send you the dealer info! Thanks again to everyone who weighed in on this one.
#8
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Originally posted by DarkAngel
wow I had the same problem but they just changed the coil pack. and it runs fine but I wonder if there are other problems
wow I had the same problem but they just changed the coil pack. and it runs fine but I wonder if there are other problems
check your compression, you will find out!
Glad to hear that the work is being done under warranty!
#9
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w3rd. although there really should be no question that they should replace your engine, many before you have been told that they will have to pay for it out of their own pocket because they were abusing their cars. you got lucky as far as dealer choice IMO. some dealers can turn your life into hell in no time flat.
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