Why you do your own work...

My exhaust leak was the result of the mec forcing the DP on while installing turbo. Cracked a weld. JB welded it to get it home.

 

My oil leak/turbo problem was the result of the failure to clamp the oil return line. No joke, top clamp was a new one but not tighten and the base OEM wasn't even on.

 

That metal sound I heard was my up pipe rattling cause it was two prices. Shop thought solenoid.

 

Only lost 1/4qt on a 220mile drive but it's the last time I ever use a shop. Subi specialist or not. Normally do my own work but have been having a subi place do the work because PITA.

Wow.

 

So, now that you've found the source of the problems (and they're all non-major, fairly easy to fix) are you done being bitter?

So in other words, the bitching about how crappy Subarus are comes down to... how crappy your shop is? Not the car's fault at all?

I can empathize. I've owned I've owned almost twenty vehicles, and have had hands down, by far the worst luck with this current Subaru. None of it the car's fault.

That's a subaru shop? Sounds like they don't love their job and have lost the passion working on cars. I'd find a new shop.

That's a subaru shop? Sounds like they don't love their job and have lost the passion working on cars. I'd find a new shop.

 

Or, he's a dick to them and they just don't care about his car.

What a bigger bummer is less people even care to learn about their car.

Dealerships pray on this.

 

There are very few owners that can actually wrench on their own rides.

Shame really.

I would not hesitate to pull a motor and replace it as a component. Rebuilding it would be beyond my comfort level. Same for the transmission but I'd be less inclined to pull that myself.

The issue is finding that trusted resource.

I've heavily considered driving to Mike at Infamous Performance in So Cal just for a evaluation of next steps. I just have a hard time trusting any of the shops here in the bay area.

The advice of the people on this forum has been invaluable. Not only in learning about the car but finding these trusted resources.

Mistakes are mistakes. But professionals need to live up to higher standards than shade tree mechanics. We are considered enthusiasts for caring enough to notice.

The trust factor needs to be both ways. Do the jobs right the first time and I'll gladly pay the bill. Make me chase shortcuts down the road. Never forget.

My tire and suspension guys let me in the shop to discuss the operation at hand. Challenges are overcome with me and I decode on the parts to remedy. 9 times out of 10 it's replace with OEM. With them I supply the parts they provide the labor.

We’ll see how this works out now down the road since the owner passed away from a heart attack. They may just get sloppy now.

Won't change my opinion about the low levels of engineering subi goes to. There are still serious design flaws. Cause I will fix these only to have other problems...

 

Oil leak fixed and consumed no oil in a drive I normally would.

 

Now to fix up pipe. That's how I will spend my 4th AM. Cause JB weld high temp exhaust burned up in 30 seconds.

I have said if before. Ask around work or the auto parts stores ask who people use to repair there cars.

 

I'm still using the same guy my Dad used back in the early 1980's. Never had a problem with them. Sometimes the bill seems a bit high but, other times he's done things for free, buts what's important is, the work is done right.

all shops aren't bad. Most shops do cut corners. I'm a dealership mechanic and it goes both ways. Some of the things I see from the "do it yourself" guys are hilarious and dangerous. We get at least 2 tow ins a month from people who think they are better than trained professionals. But then you also are right where some of the so called trained professionals have the case of the "retard" and/or do not give a crap. it goes both ways. Not a one sided thing

I've been doing all my own work for years, just not on the subi. This is the first time I've had sub par work in my life. I got a rushed just done before they closed the shop.

 

The motor rebuild and the owners attention were great. Great guy.

 

I've normally followed best practices on repairs and the service manual when doing my own work. I've personally never cut corners.

 

Anyway, was just a reminder for me. Have to do the work myself anyway cause the shop is out of business

I like to do my own work or work along with the people I have work on my car so that I can learn how to do it while making sure everything is done right. Working in race shops during the summer has helped but I'm still not 100% on doing everything. The guy I'm going to, to do work on my car when it comes around to it has rebuilt his STI and several LGT's.

I agree to do the work yourself if you can, but like BMB said sometimes you just got to pay the man.

 

I have to do a rebuild, which is beyond my mechanical knowledge, patience level, and garage space. The shop I'm taking it to requires the owner to bring the car back at least twice in the next month (and I thought I heard one desk guy say once a week for a month if possible) or so on ALL major repairs so they can monitor what they did since they warranty their work.

 

They are a (expensive) Subaru specialist shop in an area full of Subaru specialist shops, and have a 4.9-5 rating on Google with A LOT of reviews. But.. it's a 4.9 out of 5, not a 5 out of 5.