SJ Forester XT engine failure

BriefObsessions

Forum Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2020
Messages
28
Location
Australia
Car Year
2016
Car Model
SJ Forester XT
Transmission
CVT
So my 1 day old (to me) XT Forester suffered catastrophic engine failure with 3 hours left on the 17 hour trip home. So sad 🥺. From my quick googling while waiting for the tow truck, it sounds like it's thrown a rod or big end bearing. It's a 2016 model with 82k on the clock, so I was obviously not expecting that.

My question is, would it be worth rebuilding with upgraded internals? Or should I just stick with a stock used replacement engine? From a quick search on fleabay it looks like I can get a used FA20 DIT engine for around 4k, but how do I know the same thing won't happen again. I've sent an enquiry off to All Drive Subaru, but I have no idea what a rebuild would cost.
 
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BriefObsessions said:
So my 1 day old (to me) XT Forester suffered catastrophic engine failure
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:eek:
it sounds like it's thrown a rod or big end bearing
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I'm no mechanic, but from what I've read if it's thrown a rod or the big end bearing has gone, the crankcase is cactus, not worth attempting to repair.
Might be worth looking at getting a low KM imported from Japan - pretty sure there's a bunch of people that import them. We did that about 30 years back with our '81 subaru leone wagon. The replaced engine outlasted the car (another 10 years or so until the body rusted out)
t's a 2016 model with 82k on the clock, so I was obviously not expecting that.
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perhaps the previous owner hammered it. :(
 
I've been chatting to the previous owner and he's been great, has already offered to pay for some of the repair costs if I was out of pocket, I don't think he's the type of person who has flogged the car. Seems like he looked after it well.

Spoke to Subaru first thing this morning and they indicated they would cover repair costs if the failure was a result of a manufacturing defect. So that's something positive at least.
 
BriefObsessions said:
Spoke to Subaru first thing this morning and they indicated they would cover repair costs if the failure was a result of a manufacturing defect. So that's something positive at least.
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Fingers crossed!
Sounds like the seller is a decent bloke. :)
 
Ben Up North said:
Might be worth looking at getting a low KM imported from Japan
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Just to add to this, I've heard of people buying short blocks new from Japan for not unrealistic prices.
 
@BriefObsessions What a shame (and let's not hope "sham")

Alldrivesubaroo do very nice engine rebuild - but it will cost. My son's family wagon (2012 Foz S - like an XT with extras) has just had a transplant from ADS; semi-closed deck, forged pistons etc etc should be unbreakable but cost much more than a straight swap though. My engine is also a reman. from ADS.

Fingers crossed that Subaru Aust cover your costs!
 
All the best with it mate. That’s got to suck balls in more ways than I could imagine.

My internet diagnosis is lack of oil. It was either burning it or dropping it until the point where there just wasn’t enough to lubricate the crank properly and a bearing melted before throwing the rod.

And when a rod is thrown, there is typically a new window into the inside of the engine. Bin the block and start again - and you need to find out why it happened in the first place so there isn’t a repeat of the same thing (more so if replacing the block and putting all your auxiliaries on its uch as oil pump, heads etc).

Or a long block would be the go.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Thanks guys, appreciate your input.

Small update - Hunter Subaru have had a quick look (just cranked it over) and diagnosed big end bearing failure, just as I thought. They can't determine the cause though without pulling the engine apart at my expense, and even then can't guarantee they'll find out what did it. They've quoted me just under 10K for a second hand engine transplant. o_O They also said it's highly unlikely Subaru Aus will cover any of it. :cry:

Spoken with the ADS guys and they can do a basic level 1 rebuilt long block for around 6.5K. Which is not too bad I guess. If I'm going down that path though surely it wouldn't be much more to install some forged rods and pistons. I might even look into doing a rebuild myself.
 
Further update. The previous owner is such a good bloke, he called up Hunter Subaru on my behalf to explain how well maintained the car was and he's convinced the local dealer to submit a warranty case to Subaru Australia. Fingers crossed.
 
Not enough like button options for that ^ !!!

All the best with it.

Bennie
 
It's been a while... but we finally got a resolution. Subaru are covering the cost of parts and I just have to pay labour. But I'll get a brand new short block out of it so I'm calling that a win.

Could still be off the road for a while as there's no oil pump or timing cover stock in Aus.
 
BriefObsessions said:
It's been a while... but we finally got a resolution. Subaru are covering the cost of parts and I just have to pay labour. But I'll get a brand new short block out of it so I'm calling that a win.

Could still be off the road for a while as there's no oil pump or timing cover stock in Aus.
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That's better than having to fund the whole cost of the repair or having to transplant a 2nd hand engine. (y)
 
Thanks for the update. Well that's something at least - have they given you a quote for the labour? If not I would get one before they start work as it may still turn out more expensive than a reman + install elsewhere!!
 
Yep they've given me a quote for labour, just under $2K. Not bad considering they initially wanted to charge me $10K for a USED replacement engine.

Ben Up North said:
Can't use your existing ones?
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They're assuming there's metal particles in the pump, so replacing it.
 
You’ll want the oil pump and an oil cooler unit new to ensure there are no metal fragments in either.

The 11mm STi oil pump was recommended to me by General Disorder on the USMB, part no. 15010AA360 from here

Look at up on partsouq.com and make a purchase. WAY cheaper than anything Subaru Australia can provide ;(

Since that thread linked above, I’ve purchased one in my last parts order.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but my FXT runs the FA20 which has a 12mm oil pump I believe ;)
 
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