Compression and oil loss

[zungr]

So here's the story. At about 48k miles, my 99 Forester couldn't go
between oil changes without the oil lamp coming on. Dealer said front
crank seal leaking and replaced it under warrantee. But the problem
persisted, and I brough the car back to them several time, but the
dealer said that it's normal to go through a couple of quarts of oil
between oil changes, which I disputed since if it was normal, the oil
lamp shouldn't be coming on. My fault for not pushing harder on this.
That was about 40k miles and two years ago. Finally, it's come to
going through 2 quarts of oil per 400 miles of highway driving and
now the dealer can't deny that it is an oil consumption problem.
They checked compression: three cylinders are the same, one of the
cylinders is low; the spark plug from that cylinder was also coated
black looking.

Dealer says that the best option is to do a short block replacement,
and that the cost would be about UD$3k for parts and labor; I pointed
out that this was a problem going back to when car was under warrantee
that they never fixed. He talked to SOA's district service guy, and he
said SOA would chip in $1k for it. Anyway, that still leaves me $2k in
the hole.

Is this the way to go? What are the costs of a short block
replacement?

Thanks

Rudy

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes; Subaru should have fixed it when excessive oil consumption was
first brought to their attention. ANY vehicle that uses 2 quarts over
an oil change has a big problem and you were given very bad
information. You should be checking oil levels many times during an
oil change interval and most recommend at every gas fill or two. Now
that the damage is done they recommend a short block replacement and
your at about 95,000 miles? A short block is the way to go IMO but at
this mileage I would push them to include a new timing belt and
waterpump. The reason being is that the belt change interval is
105,000 miles and will be another $600 service cost shortly after the
block is replaced and since the motor is out. Push for a new timing
belt & water pump at a minimum. Please check your oil regularly as
it's only good common sense. ed

 

[grape]

so, you experience a engine oil loss and a loss pressure of 1 cylinder?
then you found out that the sparks are all coated dark?

I suspect it's the piston ring worn-out leads to oil leaks to cylinder thus
cause pressure loss in the cylinder and consumption of oil. You should
notice that after your oil change, the oil quickly turned very dark, since
if the ring is worn out, the fire can went thru rings to burn a few your
oil.

 

[zungr]

They checked compression: three cylinders are the same, one of the
cylinders is low; the spark plug from that cylinder was also coated
black looking.

Dealer says that the best option is to do a short block replacement, [...]
Thanks

Rudy

Anyway have any ball park figures on how much labor and parts cost
in Pennsylvania for a short block replacement for a 99 Forester?

Rudy

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

They checked compression: three cylinders are the same, one of the
cylinders is low; the spark plug from that cylinder was also coated
black looking.

Dealer says that the best option is to do a short block replacement,
[...]

Thanks

Rudy

Anyway have any ball park figures on how much labor and parts cost
in Pennsylvania for a short block replacement for a 99 Forester?

Rudy

check http://www.ccrengines.com/
might be a possible way to go.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Jim Stewart]

They checked compression: three cylinders are the same, one of the
cylinders is low; the spark plug from that cylinder was also coated
black looking.

Dealer says that the best option is to do a short block replacement,
[...]

Thanks

Rudy

Anyway have any ball park figures on how much labor and parts cost
in Pennsylvania for a short block replacement for a 99 Forester?

Another bit of advise...

After you get the new block installed, *don't*
wait for the oil lamp to come on. It's not an
"add oil" lamp, it's a low oil pressure indicator.
If if comes on, you've already potentially
damaged your engine.

Check your oil with the dipstick every time you
fill up.