club.liberty.asn.au

Hi,

I bought a MY09 Sports Premium Liberty Wagon brand new. From June last year, I noticed the oil light was coming on consistenly before each scheduled car service. All the service centre did was top up the oil and no thorough investigation was done to find the cause.

I recently did an oil consumption test over the last ~9,000KM and it is using between 500ml and 645ml of oil per 1,000KM.

I had a pressure test done and the pressures are all OK. It was noted one spark plug has signs of burning (oil) on the tip of the plug.

I've not noticed any large volumes of smoke exhaust, and there are no drips/leaks evident.

The Subaru dealer has provided this information to Subaru and they recommend replacing the 'short motor' as there is no other repair option.

I have tried to get my Subaru service dealer (and also Subaru Australia) to fix the issue under extended warranty at no cost, but have been turned down.

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

I have read about a USA class-action lawsuit for the same issue overseas, and wondered if there is the same here in Australia?

I am not impressed that we bought a brand new car and only managed to get ~120,000KM from the engine before needing a new short motor and I am keen to have the short motor replaced under warranty, especially given I reported the issue long ago.

Any advice/ideas are welcome, thanks.

Most subarus use some amount of oil. They would go bankrupt if they had to fix everyone that was using oil.

Deep Heat wrote:Most subarus use some amount of oil.

I agree. But is 645ml per 1,000KM overly excessive for a car that is not yet 5 years old?

If I do nothing to resolve the oil usage, is it likely to lead to further engine damage?

profound wrote:I agree. But is 645ml per 1,000KM overly excessive for a car that is not yet 5 years old?

If I do nothing to resolve the oil usage, is it likely to lead to further engine damage?

There is one 2.5L I know of that uses about 1L per 1,000km and has 200,000kms with a fair bit of abuse. I wouldn't be too worried about it just don't let it run dry.

profound wrote:

Deep Heat wrote:Most subarus use some amount of oil.

I agree. But is 645ml per 1,000KM overly excessive for a car that is not yet 5 years old?

I'd be taking a look at your extended warranty terms.

Something that needs a new engine within the warranty is a pretty steep issue. Over 500ml/1000kms (provided you're measuring correctly - ie always checking oil at the same temp, letting the car sit etc) is definitely too high.

If the car has always been serviced (and recorded in the book) you might have a case under warranty, depending on terms.

profound wrote:If I do nothing to resolve the oil usage, is it likely to lead to further engine damage?

That's a pretty obvious answer. As according to your numbers, you'll be out of oil in 6000kms after service.

My 2.5i was consuming oil (also MY09).

I noticed the value cover was leaking on the drivers side (started at about 95,000km). Replaced that and the spark plug tube seals (this is where you're probably leaking and burning oil). Easy to do and only $100 in parts for both sides. I'm sure a subaru specialist could do it in under an hour for both sides. Check if this has been done yet, if not it's due.

I also replaced the PCV valve. Quite simple, I can post pics if you like. You can get away with just cleaning it with parts cleaner. Pretty sure the dealer never cleans this at all. Should be cleaned at least every 20, 000 IMO.

Last thing you could do is take it to another subaru specialist and get a second opinion. There has got to be a source of the problem, somewhere it's leaking/burning oil.

Surge wrote:My 2.5i was consuming oil (also MY09).

Thanks for the info.

Going to get someone else to take a look next week (and replace timing belt at same time).

Mate I feel for you but the car is out of warranty 120000 5 years old ? If you had the problem inside warranty you may have had a very slim chance if Subaru monitored the problem themselves but knowing Subaru you're rooted .

Move on buy a Jeep

BUDDAH wrote:Mate I feel for you but the car is out of warranty 120000 5 years old ?

The first recorded oil issue (on paper) was June last year. Just outside of warranty. I don't recall if we verbally let them know of the issue inside warranty. :/

profound wrote:

BUDDAH wrote:Mate I feel for you but the car is out of warranty 120000 5 years old ?

The first recorded oil issue (on paper) was June last year. Just outside of warranty. I don't recall if we verbally let them know of the issue inside warranty. :/

As long as its out side of warranty they don't want to know you. But I did get a $5000 catalytic replaced out of warranty my wife wrote them a letter

Are you a member of NRMA ? or what ever the Vic one is ?? If so give them a call and ask there advice on your chance of warranty repair also have a look here
http://www.accc.gov.au/business/treatin ... st-defects

Changed to ULX-110 oil, and so far, the car is currently using zero oil. Fingers crossed this trend continues.

Must be the car didn't like whatever oil the usual service company was using.

profound wrote:Changed to ULX-110 oil, and so far, the car is currently using zero oil. Fingers crossed this trend continues.

Must be the car didn't like whatever oil the usual service company was using.

?

I think BUDDAH is trying to say that it's unlikely that different oil is going to stop high oil consumption.

But I could be wrong.

Personally I think that maybe during the oil change someone figured out how to tighten the oil filter or drain plug properly

profound did you also get a 15HP gain using this green oil