Francis K

My unmodified MY03 WRX was sounding like a sewing machine when starting from cold so I took in to the dealer. They diagnosed a faulty cam belt tensioner. It wasn't leaking but was not doing it's job when cold.

This was only fitted (under warranty) during the 50k service in February 06 so it must have been a duff part . As the car is now out of warranty they are putting in a goodwill claim.

Has anybody else had a tensioner fail in such a short time or in 7000 miles?

Francis K

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Car may be out of warrenty but the part shouldn't be?
Noisy tensioners were not uncommon on the later classics but revised versions should be on the new age. When faulty, they "bounce" against their stop on the engine casting.
JohnD

Francis K

John D

I didn't pay for the part so the argument is that the car had 3 years warranty and that's what I got. HOWEVER a £330 bill says a part was clearly substandard and should last more than 8 months!!! The dealer is sympathetic - we shall see whether Subaru are.

Francis K

Scott.T

iTrader: (2)

Had one go on a classic at 16,000miles.
Put a new one on along with a cambelt.
also picked another one up from Ebay (new) for £60 ready for the next belt change early next year.

IMHO should be changed when cambelt done, as resetting and old one can cause them to fail.

Francis K

Just what I need when I'm going on holiday - Subaru have accepted the full cost as a goodwill claim!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Dave & Steve at Gatwick Subaru - a great result

Francis K

Scott.T

iTrader: (2)

Thumbs up once again to Dave at Gatwick

scoobyboy

it's the guy at i.m who decides weather to pay for the part or not out of his warranty budget you should be applauding, the dealer only sends off an e-mail!

Scott.T

iTrader: (2)

We use Dave alot at SussexScoobies and he bends over backwards to help us out. Even putting alot of his spare time into it.
So it's still a thumbs up for Dave AFAIC.

andynormancx

Mine was changed on my classic at the 90,000 service, it started knocking six months and 9,000 miles later. My dealer, and everyone else, told me for months (and another 10,000 miles) that it was piston slap.

When they finally took a proper look during my latest service they found it was the tensioner. They have replaced the tensioner under warranty (needed a new radiator at the same time, so it still ended up being a £700 bill).