My 2011 Subaru Forester gets a new motor next week

I have a 2011 Subaru Forester.  When I bought it, I got the extended 7 year/70,000 mile warranty.  I do all my own oil changes and currently have just under 50,000 miles on it.  Last two changes I notice that it's using a lot of oil.  Last change a month ago saw 3 quarts used in 5,000 miles. 

So, I called the dealer repair shop.  They did an oil consumption test where they change the oil, record the mileage and have me come back in 1200 miles to see how much oil it used.  The tech who wrote up the work order told me that if it used more than 10.7 ounces of oil in 1200 miles, then they would replace the short block.  I went back to have them check the oil consumption on Tuesday. Well, it used 30 ounces in 1500 miles. (I drove it a bit past 1200 miles and the dealer shop said they prefer it that way.)  Almost a whole quart of oil in 1500 miles equates to what I was seeing of 3 quarts in 5,000 miles. 

The shop told me they used to just do a ring job, but that those were not as effective as putting in a brand new short block.  They ordered the parts on Tuesday and I got a call today, Thursday, that the parts are in.   My appointment is for next Tuesday morning and they'll have it back to me the next day, Wednesday, by closing time.  They also give me a free loaner as long as I have proof of insurance on my current car. 

I've always had good experiences with my local Subaru dealer and am on my third one presently.  Even so, I'm surprised that there was no ambiguity about how much oil a car is supposed to use, what is normal, etc and that they immediately jump right in and fix the problem. 

 

Looks like it paid off to get the extended warrenty.  I suppose they had to specifically quantify oil usage because of legal issues. 

Common subaru problem... trying to avoid class action law suit??? Glad they are taking care of you

Glad to hear that Jerry. I wish all companies had as much integrity. I have a 2013 Forester and love it and have almost 40,000 miles on it. After owning many more expensive cars, I can honestly say that the Forester is the best car I have ever owned.

I have heard Subaru has been having trouble with oil consumption.  It takes 0w-20 weight oil.  ZERO.  Isn't that like water?  The service writer told me Subaru spec'd the 2.5 liter motor for 0w-20 to meet fuel economy mandated levels. 

I can not imagine any motor not getting some oil past rings with a zero weight oil.  Same with gaskets.  A gasket and the metal mating surfaces have to be pretty tight not to leak zero weight oil I would think. 

I'll have to be sure and ask where I stand with my warranty now.  70,000 miles on the NEW block?

That is great to hear that they took care of a short block for you Jerry. In most cases if you are losing a considerable amount of oil. They would rather replace the block as well. It is possible the rings are bad or even the cylinder walls themselves are scored. They wouldn't want you to return unhappy if they just replaced rings and the problem persists.

As far as your warranty. I believe it will still be the original one. It will not start again from date of repair.

I do encounter these repairs on occasion at Honda. Honda's warranties are good. It's aftermarket warranties that I see issues with. Some companies find loop holes not to cover problems. Like you changing your own oil. They would want to see receipts and dates completed. If not, NOT COVERED !
 
Alex

That is great to hear that they took care of a short block for you Jerry. In most cases if you are losing a considerable amount of oil. They would rather replace the block as well. It is possible the rings are bad or even the cylinder walls themselves are scored. They wouldn't want you to return unhappy if they just replaced rings and the problem persists.

As far as your warranty. I believe it will still be the original one. It will not start again from date of repair.

I do encounter these repairs on occasion at Honda. Honda's warranties are good. It's aftermarket warranties that I see issues with. Some companies find loop holes not to cover problems. Like you changing your own oil. They would want to see receipts and dates completed. If not, NOT COVERED !
 
Alex

I did a little research and it sounds like the rings are weak and causing the problems.  Not just my year, but from 2011 through 2014.  It's still too early to tell on 2015's.  You'd think Subaru would have been all over this early-early!

Boxer engines are a bit 'different' as well when it comes to the oil ring's scavenging since the pistons are laying horizontal, not vertical like most other engines. 

Thanks for the insight on the warranty.  I figured it would be keeping the original time and mileage.  I'll have to watch THIS motor closely then over the next 20,000 miles since that's all it will be covered for.  Subaru did one major repair already on this car for me.  A year or so ago, the right head was leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold.  They fixed that under warranty without any hassles either.  Just in and out, have a nice day.  I agree the factory extended warranty is the only way to go. 

 

Your post prompted me to do a little research and I found an article loaded with more than you ever wanted to know on the subject of motor oil weight ratings.

I worked in a petroleum laboratory on and off for almost 40 years, back when I started allot of lube oil research was going on and I got to know some of the research chemists, and being a car guy I absorbed as much as I could but time eroded allot of it.

This is a great article if you're into it:   http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/

I remember one of the Chemists explaining VI improvers as molecules that look like an octopus, when cold the arms are all curled in allowing a thin viscosity, but when heated the molecule would unfurl it's arms and thicken the oil, not sure how accurate that is nowdays, but the visual worked.

Interesting.  I think your 2011 Forester has the same 2.4 engine as my 2011 Outback but yours requires synthetic oil and the Outback didn't require it until 2013. 
Kinda scary about your engine though.  The oil light came on in my Outback for the first time between oil changes last week (88k miles)

Your post prompted me to do a little research and I found an article loaded with more than you ever wanted to know on the subject of motor oil weight ratings.

I worked in a petroleum laboratory on and off for almost 40 years, back when I started allot of lube oil research was going on and I got to know some of the research chemists, and being a car guy I absorbed as much as I could but time eroded allot of it.

This is a great article if you're into it:   http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/

I remember one of the Chemists explaining VI improvers as molecules that look like an octopus, when cold the arms are all curled in allowing a thin viscosity, but when heated the molecule would unfurl it's arms and thicken the oil, not sure how accurate that is nowdays, but the visual worked.

That would work great if we could apply that technology in reverse to an octopus jig and it would constantly unfurl it's arms. Ling city !!   

Alex

Interesting.  I think your 2011 Forester has the same 2.4 engine as my 2011 Outback but yours requires synthetic oil and the Outback didn't require it until 2013. 
Kinda scary about your engine though.  The oil light came on in my Outback for the first time between oil changes last week (88k miles)

You might consider oil consumption test as well. I recommended a customer to our Service Customer relations Manager.
that had an oil consumption problem.
Keep in mind, this was a customer who did all there service with us. They were out of warranty by 10's of thousands of miles over.
The Manger was able to get approval through an area Manager as Customer goodwill .

Alex

Interesting.  I think your 2011 Forester has the same 2.4 engine as my 2011 Outback but yours requires synthetic oil and the Outback didn't require it until 2013. 
Kinda scary about your engine though.  The oil light came on in my Outback for the first time between oil changes last week (88k miles)

Is your Outback turbo or standard?  The turbo uses the heavier oil, the standard uses the zero weight.  I asked the service writer at Subaru why my oil light didn't come on since I was down more than 2 quarts when I did an oil change last. (It takes 5 1/2 quarts)  He said the only time he's seen a Subaru oil light on, the car was down to 1 1/2 quarts of oil left in the engine.  If your oil light came on, that is not a good sign at all!  I wouldn't let it just ride if you still have a warranty left on the drive train.  Even then, look into it as I think there was a class action started due to this oil consumption issue. 

Wish the outback was availble with the turbo but it isn't.  I will definitely look into it. Thanks for starting the thread.

Interesting.  I think your 2011 Forester has the same 2.4 engine as my 2011 Outback but yours requires synthetic oil and the Outback didn't require it until 2013. 
Kinda scary about your engine though.  The oil light came on in my Outback for the first time between oil changes last week (88k miles)

I would also look into speaking to a Service Manager about the oil consumption and see if there is a Customer Relations Manager for the service dept. Mention the oil consumption issue that Jerry went through and be patient and persistent. I have seen it pay off many times.

Alex

I'll ask when I drop off my car on Tuesday what the deal is with cars without the extended warranty; will the do an oil consumption test and if so, do they charge, etc... 

It just might pay to drive up here to Shingle Springs Subaru since they are being square with me.