Johngenx Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I have read with interest the remarks concerning the warranty to 100,000 miles on head gaskets. I have owned our 01 OBW for about a year now, and have heard nothing concerning any extended warranty. Our car is out of factory warranty, and does not visit the dealer. We just bought (last Friday) a 2001 Forester S, and it is under factory warranty, though it's going to expire soon. To the Canadian members, does Subaru Canada offer any kind of extended warranty coverage for head gaskets as SOA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 all the Subaru of North America jokes this brings to mind as well as Subaru saying "we ain't giving you hosers no extended nothing." I hope the Canadian members of the board will respect this restraint. Frankly I don't recall any Canadians posting that they got the letter. Tell me I'm wrong Frag and Commuter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I have a Canadian 2002 Forester. I have not received any notification from Subaru Canada (but I am on their mailing list, because they send me some advertising stuff every so often). But then maybe the 2002s are not eligible for the HG goo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 My 97 OB does not fall into the warranty extension. I don't know if Subaru of Canada ever followed the States' actions on the 1999/2000-2002 (?) models re: 2.5L SOHC headgaskets. I haven't spoken to my dealer on it. I would just call a dealer up and ask. It is often the case that we lag behind the States by several months on stuff like this. Some years ago, there was a 'recall' concerning front spring corrosion for "salt" states. I fully expected to see the same for Ontario, but never did. (I don't know for sure if there was anything done by SoC on this particular issue or not.) Our market is 1/10th that of the States. Canadians aren't as vocal either. Sometimes, I think what happens is that warranty stuff that goes thru in the States just never happens here because we don't make enough noise. And what noise we do make is small enough to be ignored in some situations. Commuter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Head gasket extended warranty: never was notified of it either but I think my 96 2.2 L is not subject to premature head gasket failure. As for the «spring corrosion» recall, I received one, the result of which was the free install of a spring retainer or catcher on each of the front struts. It consisted of a steel «cup» going around the struts and having the function of preventing the spring from puncturing the tire if it ever broke. About a year and a half later the left front spring broke (I was just about to replace my four struts) and SOC paid for the part and i installed it myself while replacing the struts. Of course I decided to replace the right spring also but SOC was not willing to finance that. The spring that broke, broke in the top first spire. It had no effect on the way the car handled or sat. I was not aware of it until I began hearing strange noises when I turned the front wheels al the way to one side. I imagine that if it had broken in the middle the story could have been different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 When I lived in Maine we viewed the border as a slight irritation on the way to visiting your relatives. I would agree that the average Canadian is more polite and less litigasious than us yanks. I agree with this in spite of having attended hockey games and bars in St. George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 When I lived in Maine we viewed the border as a slight irritation on the way to visiting your relatives. I would agree that the average Canadian is more polite and less litigasious than us yanks. I agree with this in spite of having attended hockey games and bars in St. George. Hockey games? What's that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 No NHL games at the moment and probably not for the rest of the year like you must know. Nevertheless, the Can juniors just won the gold medal in the world cup against the Russians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngenx Posted January 5, 2005 Author Share Posted January 5, 2005 I haven't talked to the dealer yet, and when I do, I was hoping to have some knowledge prior to asking about it. One thing I have learned from years of dealing with Mercedes dealers is that knowledge is power. Not sure about Subie dealers yet, but MB dealers assume their customers are morons with no more automotive knowledge than a three year old. With an MB dealer, if you expect them to volunteer information, you're SOL. We bought the Forester from a local Mazda dealer, and not knowing a good Subie indie yet, I took the Forester to the nearby Subaru dealer. They did the Pre-Purchase Inpsection. Upon picking up the report, they began going on about the 96K-km service. I had thought that Mercedes dealer service prices were high until last week. $1000 for a regular service? Are these things that hard to work on? I did the major service on my C-Class myself as the dealer wanted $650 for what is simple maintenence work. Set me back about $150 in parts and a leisurely afternoon. The Subaru dealer started going on about the "tune up" being the major part of the cost, but were very vague about it. "You know, spark plugs and that stuff..." I have owned Porsche 911 models, and know that boxer engines can pose problems for service, but is it that tough to change plugs on a Forester? I'll have to have a closer look once the wether warms a bit. (supposed to be -32C this weekend and for some time...) At first blush, the Subie dealer seems as big or bigger a rip-off artist as most other dealers I have encountered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Ask for details. 1000$ for a «tune up» is highway robbery! That kind of money is justified only for some major repairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngenx Posted January 5, 2005 Author Share Posted January 5, 2005 Ask for details. 1000$ for a «tune up» is highway robbery! That kind of money is justified only for some major repairs. No kidding. Replace engine oil and filter Inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both differentials Inspect and adjust all tire pressures Inspect operation of all lights, wipers and washers Inspect and adjust clutch clearance (if applicable) Inspect and adjust drive belt tension Inspect axle boot condition Lubricate all latches, hinges & locks (hood, doors, fuel door & trunk lid) Road test vehicle Replace engine coolant and add SUBARU COOLANT CONDITIONER Inspect accessory drive belt(s) Inspect PCV valve and replace if necessary Inspect all hydraulic brake and clutch lines Replace brake fluid Inspect all emissions related hoses and connections Replace spark plugs Replace in-tank fuel filter So, that's the list. There is quite a bit of stuff, including new coolant, new brake fluid, new engine oil and filter, new engine air filter, new fuel filter and new plugs. But, most of the list looks like fluff designed to ramp up labour charges. I am always suspect of paying for "inspection" labour. I find that those "inspections" take little time, are often overlooked, and are a huge profit center for the service dept. I'll have to dive into doing most of these jobs myself, as I do 99% of that myself on my Mercedes without much effort. However, at the MB dealer, picking those jobs would add up: 1. Replace coolant P/L about $100. 2. Replace brake fluid P/L about $100. 3. Engine air filter P/L $50. 4. Fuel filter P/L $75. 5. Spark Plugs $125. I would expect to pay about $500 for parts and labour for the work listed on the Subaru 96K service. Twice that is a rip-off. What kind of service schedule do people follow? This is what I have done on all my MB's: 1. Engine oil and filter every 7500kms using Mobil 1. (8L of Mobil 1 is about $50.00 and the filter is $12) 2. Engine air filter and cabin air filter every 22,500km's. ($65 for both filters including activated charcoal filter for ACC system) 3. Inspect suspension, accessory drive belt, flex plates and exhaust every 45,000kms'. My own labour. 4. Change fuel filter, coolant and brake fluid every other spring. This I have done and runs about $300 parts and labour. 5. The five speed automatic is "fill for life" but most MB owners change the fluid every 100,000kms or so. Dealer-must-do-job as the Star Diagnostic System is requiried to set the fluid level correctly. $200. So, for 100,000km's of driving, or four years, I spend: $800 oil and filters $260 air filters $600 coolant and brake fluid and fuel filters $200 tranny service. Grand total: $1860. Brakes/tires/repairs on top of that, but overall I'm used to spending very little to keep my cars in top form. I am a fuss-pot that does not let the smallest thing go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect that in Canada, they probably still spec a timing belt change at 96k km for this engine. That, along with servicing most (if not all) fluids, brake service, plugs, probably fuel filter and air filter and some stuff like that, etc. Yeah.. it adds up. This is the biggest service point. Still, $1000 is high. But if you went by the book (again, assuming that the T-belt is part of it), you'd be into the $800 range I'd say, at a dealer. Canadian loonies. Commuter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngenx Posted January 5, 2005 Author Share Posted January 5, 2005 Nope. Also, that $1000 does not include any brake work. Timing belt not until 168,000kms on 2001 SOHC 2.5L engine. I found the following on Subaru.ca: Basic oil and filter service, plus: Complete 30-point inspection of your Subaru includingunderhood, steering equipment, exhaust, undercarriage,appearance and road test Written recommendation and price quotation of needed services (if applicable) This is $39.95 Flush and clean cooling system Pressure test cooling system and radiator cap Inspect radiator, belts and hoses Add Subaru Coolant Conditioner Bring A/F strength to (-50°C) This is $49.95 Wow. it seems you can get a lot of the work done for only $90. Nine hundred more bucks to inspect a few more things and replace the brake fluid, air filter and spark plugs? I think the listed service specials on the Subara Canada web site are VERY reasonable. A tranny service is $49.95. The list a front brake service including pads and turning the discs, AND replacing the brake fluid for $129. Curious, do owners have their brake discs machined? On Mercedes models, you never turn them, always replace the discs. Maybe there are some Edmonton local owners that can point me towards some good indie mechanics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Our market is 1/10th that of the States. Canadians aren't as vocal either. Sometimes, I think what happens is that warranty stuff that goes thru in the States just never happens here because we don't make enough noise. And what noise we do make is small enough to be ignored in some situations. Commuter So you are saying that there is such a thing as being too polite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I am rather impressed by the cost of service up there and it always sounds worse in loonies. Is the beer still reasonable? That could at least offer consolation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I am rather impressed by the cost of service up there and it always sounds worse in loonies. Is the beer still reasonable? That could at least offer consolation. We have more and more small independent breweries that make excellent beer. At least in Quebec. I dont know for ROC. As for what happened to Johngenx, I dont think it can be generalised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngenx Posted January 6, 2005 Author Share Posted January 6, 2005 As for what happened to Johngenx... Don't worry, it didn't happen. No rube here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Don't worry, it didn't happen. No rube here... I don't think he meant that you paid that price, just that you were quoted it. . . As in they tried to take you for a rube is what happened to you. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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