OK. I guess it's not uncommon to find out old wrx leaks fuel from fuel rail. Apparantly, there is extended warranty/recall for the fuel system. I searched.
As expected, dealers want to charge inspection fee and for broken parts (excluding the repair kit). Inspection fee = $180. I want to change turbo inlet because it has some cracks at the turbo side (no leak yet). Another $ 160 to 180 for the inlet. Who knows what else they will break and charge a lot more for the parts.

I said, forget it I'll do it myself. I rather spend 6hrs of quality time with my old suby than pay them. fuel rail kit + turbo inlet = about 140 shipped from online source.

I'm just saying. I rather skip the headache and do the work myself. Good for stress and anger management......

 

That seems ridiculous to have to pay an inspection fee. I don't ever recall customers having to pay anything when I was a tech at Acura in regards to recalls/tsb's/etc. all covered.

 

This.. I don't think you're supposed to be charged for recallish things. We're you going to Stevens creek Subaru? You may want to try calling a more... Legitimate dealer and see if they do the same.

 

Albany Subaru & Ford.

Taking intake manifold is new to me, but everything else pretty straight forward. I meant to do this for sometime to replace turbo inlet. Their parts are way more expensive compare to subaruparts and/or genuine subaru parts. Dealers want 160 for fuel repair kit when it's only 37 from online. Same for inlet - 80 vs 160.
I just want to feel fair.

Anyone had good luck with local Bay Area dealer on this fuel rail leak fix? I doubt it.

 

Save your receipts. You can submit them and get reimbursed if it's a valid recall.

 

2002-'03 Subaru Impreza WRX Recalled for Fire Hazard

Is this the recall you're talking about? It should be free... I checked my VIN last week with a dealer in IL and they said that the warranty for the fuel line was extended until 2014.

 

I bought my '12 WRX from them but stay clear of their service department. HORRIBLE reviews. I have GST Motorsports in Hayward do the work I don't want to/can't.

 

I'm getting my fuel lines replaced by Carlsen Subaru for free this Wednesday. No fee or anything.

 

Thanks for reply. I guess no more Albany. I'll try other dealers. Didn't buy parts yet. Worth calling others...thanks

 

The fuel issue was only a recall in a selected number of 'cold-weather' states. Here in CA, they sent out a letter saying that everyone's warranty was extended until 12 years/unlimited mileage on these components, but it wasn't a recall as such.


Yup, I had mine done last year at Carlsen. It was also free & no inspection charge.

However, there was a charge for miscellaneous old hoses that were hardened, so I paid for those parts (maybe $70) and they didn't charge any labor on that. I figured it worked out ok, because they changed five or six old hoses in addition to the fuel lines.


I would have gone postal if they had tried to charge an inspection fee. Back in 2003, my car started leaking fuel, but it would only do it at very cold temperatures (Tahoe). Consequently, they wouldn't do the TSB under warranty. They charged me an inspection fee to examine the fuel tank, and fuel lines, but couldn't find the leak. By the time 2011 rolled around, it would leak on cooler days in the bay area. I was on the point of paying out of pocket to get it fixed when the warranty note came out.

 

It's a recall ... they should give you the parts for free. If they don't then there's a problem, and they're trying to fleece you. I think I remember the recall saying they would do it or give you the parts. I don't really know because mine was leaking way before there was a recall. I didn't feel like smelling fuel for the years it would take for them to recall, and I just replaced them myself with aftermarket fuel rails, so I never went through the recall.

On a car of this age, however, you WANT to replace a bunch of other stuff while you have the manifold off.

The inlet is one.
I'd also replace:
- The "S-shaped" coolant pipe between the turbo and the upper reservoir.
- PCV
- all of the breather and vacuum lines. The breathers that are right off the top of the engine block are short with significant bends, so should be replaced with factory parts. Most of these are near the turbo and will be hard as a rock from years of heat and Many of these... especially ones very near the turbo will be hard as a rock and you likely won't be able to get them off without cracking them. Replace them before they crack by themselves and you have to take it all apart again.

 

just had mine replaced last friday by Maita Subaru off Auburn Blvd here in Sac for free. try finding a diff soob dealer

 

Yea I remember some weird seat issue with my ride. Got the note in the mail/email and then called them up and they said just drive it in and it'll be fixed for free, just chill out for 45minutes or something like that.

If it's just a recall thing, they will fix for free or go to a diff dealership. All of the other replacements you want to do you either do it yourself or hit up one of the local shops, such as AutoHQ/GST Motorsports/EQTuning/Speed Element/DBTuned, etc. there are tons of reputable guys in the bay area, north bay, and sac.

 

gotta get mine done soon - used to be a 22 mi. trip to work would warm it enough to stop the fuel smell. Now, with recent cold temps, it still smells horrid even when fully heated. may even be pooling fuel on top of the block.

Question: what are the odds that a local dealership will do the Recall/TSB/warranty work as well as putting on an aftermarket inlet, so I don't have to pull the intake runners again? I'd cover additional labor, etc.

 

Yeah, mine was by the back end. As the hoses hardened with age it got worse and happened at warmer temperatures.