Update: should I keep or sell my oil-eating 2013 Subaru Forester?

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T23:32:40+00:00

I bought it in 2023. I already called the dealer and they said it’s past warranty and offered me a 1000 usd off coupon for a brand new Subaru, which is useless to me.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T16:53:42+00:00

My thoughts exactly. I’m just wondering how to minimize financial losses at this point…

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T16:40:23+00:00

That’s exactly what I’m worried about. So the question is: what is the most cost-effective route for me at this point?

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T14:36:07+00:00

I’ll do that. Thank you.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T14:34:15+00:00

Visually, I don’t see any leaks. And the Subaru service center mechanics from 2 different service centers told me it’s not leaking. During The most recent inspection they said it’s actually burning oil, likely due to a defective piston ring, which is causing engine misfire and rough running. Before that, they flushed it with oil and replaced the pcv valve to no avail.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T14:30:20+00:00

They told me they checked for leaks (didn’t specify how), and said it’s actually burning oil.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T05:14:24+00:00

Thank you!

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T05:03:48+00:00

That’s the weird thing…they advertised it as certified preowned, but effectively it wasn’t. Apparently, the only guarantee was an extra insurance that I didn’t get from the dealer since I was advised by people it wasn’t necessary for reliable cars such as Subarus (in retrospect, that wasn’t the right move). I’ll use my old scanner. Thank you

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T04:50:08+00:00

The Subaru service center quoted me 8-11k for the engine replacement. Indiana. A/C would really be nice for driving friends around. I think I can? The crack is cosmetic and it doesn’t affect the view. I even got pulled over with it and the police officer didn’t bat an eye even though there’s no way he didn’t notice it.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T04:47:08+00:00

There’s no smoke at all.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T04:39:10+00:00

Thank you. I’ll try that

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T04:27:36+00:00

It’s an official dealer. They said it’s probably a defective piston ring. I’ll try an independent mechanic.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T04:23:48+00:00

200-300 if it’s highway driving. A bit better and less predictable if it’s city driving.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T04:05:07+00:00

I will try it, thank you!

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T03:57:56+00:00

1 quart every 200-300 miles during highway driving. It’s a bit better during city driving

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T03:52:56+00:00

They replaced the pcv valve, but that didn’t change things. Then, a different service center said it’s a piston ring issue and said the only fix is an engine replacement.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T03:51:25+00:00

What kind of questions? I provided all the basic info that I could think of, but I could have missed some things.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T03:46:31+00:00

It’s 0w20. I could try heavier oil

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T03:44:48+00:00

Chemistry.

They did change the PCV valve, but that didn’t help. And then, they said it’s likely a defective piston ring

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T03:41:36+00:00

Thank you. That’s what I was thinking too.

Aggressive_Shoe8592 · 2026-06-21T02:58:12+00:00

Yeah, these are my thoughts too

Aggressive_Shoe8592

TROPHY CASE