rob-2 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBear Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee07 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 30, 2014 Moderators Share Posted June 30, 2014 In my experience, even the best shops cut corners. You want it done right, do it yourself. It's unfortunate, but true. That said, sometimes time / skill required dictates that you just pay the man. Paying the man to cause more problems straight up blows, though "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 30, 2014 Moderators Share Posted June 30, 2014 With general maintenance I don't think it matters much (but yes, folks still get taken for a ride). When it comes to modding a car, I think you either have to: -do the work yourself -pay someone but still have full knowledge of how things are done and exactly what work is being done -have really deep pockets Only work I've had done so far is a smoke test and a transmission swap. Smoke test I just didn't have the machine and trans swap I just needed it done. That said, if I had to swap a trans or troubleshoot the work (which I actually had to do, mid roadtrip, when my lockout cable was rubbing the driveshaft because the shop didn't secure it properly). If you can't trouble shoot the work you're just likely going to end up shelling out more money for a shop to fix their mistake. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 30, 2014 Moderators Share Posted June 30, 2014 Don't let this reflect on Mike at IP&T, I have no idea what level of work he does (i'm 3k miles away), but I had my transmission swap done at AndrewTech who is possibly the best subaru transmission shop in the country and IMO they still cut some small corners. They left the downpipe bracket off and didn't bother to tell me (it was bent, so I understand why they removed it, but why not tell me so I could fix it?) and I also had the issue with the lockout cable. I've basically come to grips that no one cares 100% about your car quite like you do. And honestly I get it--it's business. Sure if I want to pay for every single minute spent on my car and have no budget that's fine, everything should be perfect. Reality though is that shops have to be competitive and need to complete work in a reasonable amount of time so they can win business, turn a profit, and keep everyone happy-ish. 98% is great, and better than nearly every other option, but it's not 100%. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 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. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liljonson Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMielke Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lccl Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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