2012 Sabaru Boxer Engine

[subiedriver]

I really like the Suby boxer motor. It sits low in the engine bay, which really improves handling. Also, since the motor is mounted longitudinal, the powertrain is a straight shot to the rear axle, all of the drivetrain mass is in the centerline of the vehicle. Lastly, the boxer motor's don't require and counterbalance shafts like in-line of V motor's do.

They are very torquey too, from 2200 rpm on up.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The new FB 2.5 are dying all over the place. TC issues and now major left cam bank oiling and valvetrain issues.

 

[subiedriver]

Personally, I wouldn't buy the first year of a new motor, don't care who the manufacturer is. I'd give it at least two years to get the bugs worked out.

 

[ottotheclown]

Joel can I think what you are saying is : that the 2012 Forrester has the old ej253 motor with a chain rather than a belt like a Legacy has??
Originally Posted By: JTK
Correct.

2012's still use the EJ253 (non-turbo) 2.5i

I'm curious as to why they don't fit them with the FB series 2.5. I'd take a chain over a belt and I like the oil filter placement on the FB better. I've only got 3900mi on my Legy yet, so I haven't had to touch the thimble sized oil filter from underneath yet!

Joel

 

[Hollow]

Originally Posted By: ottotheclown
the 2012 Forrester has the old ej253 motor with a chain rather than a belt like a Legacy has??


No, the 2011+ Forester has the new FB engine. It is a timing chain, but it is not the old EJ253. Filter on top, requires 0w20 oil.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: rjundi

The 2.5L was likely too large. The goal was to mount low and far back as possible for best handling and also nice low hood/cowl. Not the typical Subaru odd shapes.


Odd, because EJ or FB series, they're both 2.5L engines? I wouldn't think the footprint would be all that different.

ARCO, that's an interesting clip. That's definitely a new FB series?

It's hard for me to discern any odd noises from the clip. To me, all Sube boxers have that Cessna engine beat to them. My new EJ series included.

Joel

 

[LoneRanger]

The new FB engine definitely seems to be having some teething pains.

If Subaru would bring the Forester boxer diesel to the North American market, and mate it to a 5 or 6 speed automatic transmission, I'd trade off my '09 in a heart beat on one.

 

[ottotheclown]

Yes after Arco gave us the You Tube Video of the FB engine, I found the Forester web site. There were service bulletins issued and we will see. Either way it is out there now and hopefully Subaru stands by the product. Most have trouble hearing the problem. I pick up a 2012 tomorrow more to come......

 

[ottotheclown]

In case someone out there might find this useful, the 2012 Forester engine is a FB25 with a timing chain. You can tell this engine by the fact oil filter is on top right next to oil fill cap. It runs 0-20 synthetic, at oci 7.5 after first 3k oil change. Hope this helps.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Thats mostly correct. The OCi is at 3000 odo, and 7500 odo, then, 7500 miles intervals (or UOA driven) there after.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: rjundi

The 2.5L was likely too large. The goal was to mount low and far back as possible for best handling and also nice low hood/cowl. Not the typical Subaru odd shapes.


Odd, because EJ or FB series, they're both 2.5L engines? I wouldn't think the footprint would be all that different.

ARCO, that's an interesting clip. That's definitely a new FB series?

It's hard for me to discern any odd noises from the clip. To me, all Sube boxers have that Cessna engine beat to them. My new EJ series included.

Joel
They should never sound like that. Thats broken or out of tune. Some may have a rumble due to non-equal length secondary header tubes. Some will have some NORMAL valve clatter due to cold clearances. The FB though has zero-lash roller rockers with the roller cam above the rocker, employing a non moving (translating) hydraulic lash adjuster at the rocker pivot (set up as a 3rd class lever arrangement). This engine was definitely rushed to market.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
They should never sound like that. Thats broken or out of tune...


Maybe it's a good thing the Legacy and Outback still use the older technology of the EJ series then.

I've had a few cold starts in the -5degF range on my 2012 Legacy 2.5i w/ no undue noises at all. At ~4500mi, I'm still on the factory fill, which I assume is 5w30. She does crank over slower than when warm, but lights right off with no slaps, ticks, rattles or knocks!

Joel

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Maybe it's a good thing the Legacy and Outback still use the older technology of the EJ series then.


I think it's a good thing they're rolling it out in phases.

Progress is good of course but one of the reasons I bought my WRX now instead of waiting for the next one is because the EJ series engine and the rest of the drivetrain has been around for a while and should have its kinks pretty much worked out by now. I haven't heard of this problem with the FB and don't know how widespread it is, but if companies like Honda have teething problems with new engines then smaller companies like Subaru, who seem to be more conservative in terms of engine family life cycles, are bound to have them too (and of course have several times in the past).

Hopefully Subaru will stand behind the FB if this turns out to be a big deal.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Read that Honda has been constantly playing with the valvetrain on the L15 1.5L SOHC engine and they had the VTEC finger follower springs failing on these engines used in Fit and Jazz. No One is immune. Hope my springs don't pop

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Read that Honda has been constantly playing with the valvetrain on the L15 1.5L SOHC engine and they had the VTEC finger follower springs failing on these engines used in Fit and Jazz. No One is immune. Hope my springs don't pop

Pretty sure that was isolated to previous a previous year, unless there are two separate related issues.

 

[rjundi]

My wife's 2005 Legacy turbo with a EJ255 never sounds pretty below 0F.It starts fine but the noises remind me of my parents mid 1980's Subaru on warmer days.

 

[Thermo1223]

I certainly miss the Forester, however I don't miss getting 20-21 MPG but it comes with being turbo-charged.

It was one SUV that made people turn their heads when it idled by or I fired it up in a parking deck. Super low rumble without a resonator & sti muffler on. A speed demon as well considering what it was.