2002 Outback Update

The update on the puked engine is that the Subaru dealer says he can't
tell how it all happened other than to say it threw a rod at the very
least. He has part of the rod bearing that went around the crankshaft
(the back part) and it's "folded" he says. So, I guess the bolts gave
out and in my mind it possibly is a failure of the rod bearing.

Tomorrow I'm going to call Subaru corporate and see if they'll offer
anything. We'll see....but I won't hold my breath. It's just a lot
harder with me in the Midwest and the car out in Laramie.

I feel so bad since my Son spent $8700 on the car purchase to have for
school and we paid for the 120,000 service (new trans, clutch, plus...)
and now this....$4700 for a new engine and we just can't afford another
car right now since I haven't worked in 8 years due to health issues.
--
Tom

On Jul 8, 1:00 am, Thomas Bates <t....TakeThisOut@notOT.biz> wrote:
> The update on the puked engine is that the Subaru dealer says he can't
> tell how it all happened other than to say it threw a rod at the very
> least. He has part of the rod bearing that went around the crankshaft
> (the back part) and it's "folded" he says. So, I guess the bolts gave
> out and in my mind it possibly is a failure of the rod bearing.
>
> Tomorrow I'm going to call Subaru corporate and see if they'll offer
> anything. We'll see....but I won't hold my breath. It's just a lot
> harder with me in the Midwest and the car out in Laramie.
>
> I feel so bad since my Son spent $8700 on the car purchase to have for
> school and we paid for the 120,000 service (new trans, clutch, plus...)
> and now this....$4700 for a new engine and we just can't afford another
> car right now since I haven't worked in 8 years due to health issues.
> --
> Tom


There are 2 possible scenarios that quickly come to mind, both
involving fluid in the cylinder.

1) leaky head gasket, coolant leaked into cylinder, just the right
amount, and just the right engine position that the engine started,
piston stopped moving near the top of the bore and the crank position
was such that the leverage was enough to bend the rod (in
compression!) which then tore otself apart as the engine continued
running.

2) same thing, but a leaky fuel injector, with the intake valve for
that cylinder open, and fuel collected in the cylinder.


Seems unlikely, but there's an unlucky bastard on one of the subie
forums that let the fuel drain into the intake when changing a fuel
injector.

The engine cranked, ran, and promptly threw a rod through the engine
case under the intake manifold.


Dave