ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

© 2018 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

q
q

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2012-14MY Impreza 2.0
2013MY Crosstrek
2013MY BRZ

NUMBER: WTY-84R

SUBJECT:

2.0L Engine Valve Spring Fracture May
Cause Engine Stall

DATE: 01/04/19
NHTSA ID: 18V-722
REVISED: 01/25/19

INTRODUCTION:
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2013 model year BRZ and XV Crosstrek and
2012-2014 model year Impreza vehicles to replace the engine valve springs which may fracture. A
total of 139,324 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall.
AFFECTED VEHICLES:
Model Year

Carline

Production Range

2013

BRZ

12/09/2011 - 07/02/2013

2013

XV Crosstrek

05/17/2012 - 07/02/2013

2012-2013

Impreza

01/17/12 - 06/13/2013

2014

Impreza

10/3/2013

Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function
on subarunet.com.
PART INFORMATION:
To simplify the ordering procedure, parts to complete this recall have been made available in “kit”
form:
Description
SPRING-VALVE EG KIT
GASKET-EXHAUST PIPE R

Part Number

Application

X1321AA140 (for FB Engines)

IMPREZA / CROSSTREK

X1321AA110 (for FA Engines)
44011AG000

BRZ

Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Page 1 of 32

DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE AND SAFETY RISK:
The engine valve springs may fracture, which may cause an abnormal noise or engine malfunction.
This may result in the engine stalling during driving and the driver may be unable to restart the
vehicle. An engine stall while driving could increase the risk of a crash.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY:
The engine valve springs will be replaced with new ones having improved durability strength.
Special tools will be available to assist in making these repairs. Each retailer will be provided with
these tools free of charge. See below for details.
RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY:
Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a Retailer to deliver a new motor vehicle
covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized
Subaru Retailer failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up to
$6,000 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and will also be in breach of
the Subaru Retailer Agreement.

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory. Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into inventory or in for
service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling
or releasing the vehicle.
Please refer to Section 8.4.7 of the Subaru Claims Policies & Procedures concerning Alternate
Transportation Program eligibility and third-party rental reimbursement rates.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail on December 28, 2018. A copy of that
owner notification letter is included at the end of this bulletin.
RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS:
Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office when owner notification
begins. Vehicles will be assigned to retailers in the affected VIN list as follows:
• Original vehicle owners are assigned to the original selling retailer when their current address
is within a 100-mile radius of that retailer.
•

If the original selling retailer is inactive, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active
retailer.

•

For any new owners or when original owners live more than 100 miles from the original
selling retailer, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active retailer.

IMPORTANT: Retailer affected VIN lists include information for vehicles affected by this recall.
This information will enable retailers to follow up with owners of affected vehicles. The lists contain
owners’ names and phone numbers obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use
of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is unlawful. Accordingly, retailers are
required to limit the use of these lists for the sole purpose of completing this recall.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 2 of 32

PARTS INFORMATION:
To help improve efficiency when performing this campaign, part “kits” have been established for both
the FA and FB engines. They include the new valve springs along with all the necessary gaskets and
seals to do the repair (except for FA engines as noted below). The kits are the same for manual and
automatic / CVT models.
•

P.n. X1321AA110 is for FA engines
IMPORTANT NOTE: for FA engines only, p.n. 44011AG000, qty. 1, EXHAUST PIPE
GASKET R is also required for this repair and is NOT included in the parts kit.

•

P.n. X1321AA140 is for FB engines.
Additional Materials:
Description

Part Number

Super Coolant

SOA635041

Cooling System Conditioner

SOA635071

ThreeBond 1217H

SOA635305

Synthetic Engine Oil 0W-20

SOA635045

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
IMPORTANT NOTES: The service procedures for the steps involving valve spring replacement
have been revised for this Product Campaign. These specific procedures, involve the use of a set of
special tools, carefully designed to help Technicians perform this campaign with increased efficiency
while reducing the amount of engine disassembly. Proper use of these special tools is critical to
achieve the required results. Some portions of the overall procedure (e.g. engine assembly removal
and reinstallation) are unchanged. For those portions of this procedure, always refer to the applicable
Service Manual and review the full requirements of the steps being performed. The Service Manual
procedures contain information critical to performing an effective repair the first time and every
time. This includes but is not limited to: important SAFETY precautions, proper inspection criteria,
other necessary special tools and required processes needed for a complete and lasting repair.
The Service Procedure for this campaign will be divided into 3 sections:
•

Section 1: Special Tools

•

Section 2: Valve Spring replacement for 2.0L “FA” engine used in BRZ

•

Section 3: Valve Spring replacement for 2.0L “FB” engines used in Impreza and Crosstrek.

The major differences between procedures can be summarized as follows:
For FA engine:
•

Timing cover, timing chain, camshaft (and related components) removal is required for
access.

•

The valve spring replacement tools consist of one remover and one installer.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 3 of 32

For FB engine:
•

Timing cover (and related components) removal is NOT required for access.

•

The valve spring replacement tools consist of a set of four different spring compressor tools,
two retainer / keeper re-installation tools and a “bridge” framework to properly position each
tool.

Both the FA and FB procedures require removal of the engine assembly.
NOTE: If the engine has been removed from the vehicle for any warrantable concern in addition to
performing WTY-84, see the CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES section
on pg. 28 for instruction on how to properly submit the claim.
Section 1- SPECIAL TOOLS:
The following provides information and photos of the special tools designed to help Technicians
perform this campaign smoothly and efficiently:
•

Engine Stand, p.n. 99850AA050

•

Air Hose Assembly, p.n. 99850AA010 includes: air pressure regulator, 2 spark plug
adapters, air hose w/ “Y” connector, 2 spark plug adaptor quick-connectors and main shut-off
valve. This tool is used on both FA and FB engines.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 4 of 32

•

Valve Spring Replacement Tool Set, p.n. 99850AA000 (for use on FA engines ONLY)

Remover

Tool
End
Views

Installer

•

Bridge Base and Bracket Set, p.n. 99850AA020 (for use on FB engines ONLY)

RH Bridge Base

•

LH Bridge Base

Bridge Brackets

Valve Spring
Compressor
and Installation
Tool Set, p.n.
99850AA030 (for
use on pre-2015MY
FB engines ONLY).
NOTE: The tools
for servicing the
INTAKE valves
have WHITE
paint markings
whereas the tools
for servicing the
EXHAUST valves
have GREEN paint
markings.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 5 of 32

VERY IMPORTANT: When using the above spring compressor and installation tools, use ONLY
the tool specified for the specific task being performed. NEVER ATTEMPT TO USE THESE FBSPECIFIC TOOLS TO PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE ON A FA ENGINE (to avoid removing
the front cover and camshafts) OR A 2015MY or later FB ENGINE AS DOING SO WILL
SEVERELY DAMAGE THEM. Although some of these tools look very similar to each other, there
are significant design differences in each which make them specific for each function. This is why
they have the paint markings and alpha-numeric identification information etched onto them. More
detail on each tool’s specific function will be provided later in this bulletin.
Section 2: FA Engine Procedure:
TIPS:
• Road test the vehicle before disassembly to confirm the engine operates as designed with no
abnormalities (e.g. smoke from exhaust, engine noise, fluid leak(s), A/C system operation,
etc.).
•

Check for any DTC(s).

•

Check for any vehicle modifications and if found, document them using the existing process
outlined in the Claims Policies and Procedures section 8.4.45 “Procedures for Assessment,
Documentation, and Notification of Non-Warrantable Repairs” using the “Vehicle
Modification and Accident Damage Report” found on Subarunet under Service-Technical /
Forms / Downloads.

•

Note and review any items needing attention with the customer before proceeding. Having
the customer initial these item by item on the repair order is highly recommended.

•

Contact the SOA Techline immediately to review any concerns believed to be impeding or
preventing proper completion of this recall. There should be very few if any cases where this
would be necessary. A severe example of an impediment would be if the wrong specification
engine is found to be installed. Nearly all aftermarket modifications can be worked around or
removed to allow valve spring replacement to proceed.

•

Contact the SOA Claims Team should removal and / or reinstallation of these customer
modifications require significant additional time.

•

Open both door windows before disconnecting the battery to avoid weatherstrip damage.

•

Remove the fuel pump fuse, then start and run the vehicle until it stalls to relieve fuel
pressure.

•

Remove the fuel cap to release any vapor pressure inside the fuel tank and to prevent fuel
spray when disconnecting fuel lines.

•

Record the customer’s radio station presets (and Navigation System Favorites if applicable)
then disconnect the battery negative cable from the battery terminal.

•

Separate the exhaust manifold assembly from the front exhaust pipe and remove the manifold
from the vehicle. The manifold to cylinder head gaskets are included in the parts kit but the
front pipe gasket, p.n. 44011AG000 as mentioned in the Parts Information section is not.

•

Evacuate the A/C system and leave the A/C compressor assembly bolted to the engine.
Remove both lines from the compressor. Always protect any exposed connections from
contamination while the system is open and replace the o-rings at reinstallation with new.

•

Drain the engine oil and coolant.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 6 of 32

IMPORTANT NOTE: In a limited number of cases, some vehicles may have had prior repairs
which included valve spring replacement. Should you encounter a vehicle that appears to have had
valve springs installed of the type described in these procedures, whether through engine assembly,
cylinder head, or simply valve spring replacement as part of a prior repair, contact the SOA Claims
Team to review any findings or concerns BEFORE proceeding further with this WTY-84R spring
replacement campaign. The SOA Claims Team will work to provide guidance on how best to
proceed and claim for these limited cases.
1) Remove the engine assembly following the existing procedures in the applicable Service Manual.
•

On A/T models, use the special support tool p.n. 18632AA010 to support the transmission
while the engine is removed. VERY IMPORTANT: NEVER use a jack or a block of
wood on the oil pan of the A/T
assembly as valve body damage
can occur easily. On M/T
models, a block of wood can be
used to support the transmission.

•

Also on A/T models, ALWAYS
install the torque converter
stopper tool to keep the converter
secured in the transmission when
separating the engine.

2) Secure the engine assembly to the engine stand using the four (4) bolt locations as shown below.
Before tightening any of the bolts, position the engine on the stand so the crankshaft centerline
is as close as possible to being aligned with the center pivot point of the engine stand. This will
make the engine easier to rotate when switching from side to side.

3) Remove both LH and RH intake manifold protectors.
4) Remove all the ignition coils and spark plugs. Leave the coils
connected to the engine wiring harness.
5) Secure the ignition coils and harnesses to the intake manifold
to keep them out of the work space.
6) Remove both LH and RH valve covers. Apply Silicone Gasket
Remover spray and allow it to “soak” while performing other
steps of the procedure. This will make removing the original
sealer considerably easier.
7) Measure and record the cam clearances following the procedure in the applicable Service Manual.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 7 of 32

IMPORTANT NOTES: The purpose for performing these cam clearance measurements is to
compare the “before” and “after” values and confirm there was no change.
•

If the clearances are out of specification, obtain the required shims for installation prior to
reassembly.

•

If the clearances are all within specification at this point but after reassembly, some are
found to be out of specification, it is likely some of the shims were miss-positioned during
reassembly. CAREFULLY Re-adjust as necessary to insure all clearances are within the
following specifications:
Standard values (cold engine):  
○○ INTAKE: 0.10 to 0.16 mm {0.0039 to 0.0063 in.}  
○○ EXHAUST: 0.21 to 0.27 mm {0.0083 to 0.0106 in.}

8) CAREFULLY remove the timing chain cover, timing chain and all related components following
the existing procedures in the applicable Service Manual.
Tape Wrap

Tape Wrap

9) Apply a reference mark to the face of the removed crankshaft pulley using touch-up paint or a
grease pencil adjacent to the locating pin hole as shown below.

Locating Pin Hole

Reference
Mark

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 8 of 32

TIPS: Remove and properly discard the engine oil filter. Stand the removed timing cover up as
shown to allow any remaining oil to drain from the internal passages. This keeps residual oil from
potentially contaminating fresh sealer applied to the cover at reassembly (which could cause a leak or
a possible comeback). Always replace the oil filter at reassembly.

Use of aerosol Subaru Silicone Gasket Remover (p.n. SOA868V9175)
along with white plastic razor blades and / or a sharpened plastic
trim removal stick to use as a non-marring scraper will make this
critical part of the procedure easier. Applying the Gasket Remover
spray and allowing it to “soak” while performing other steps
of the procedure will make the sealer removal job considerably
easier. There are other color blades available but different colors
have different stiffness characteristics. The WHITE color blades worked best during
development of these procedures. Steel razor blades are NOT recommended as they can
easily damage machined aluminum sealing surfaces.
10) Rotate the engine so the RH (cylinders #1 and #3) side face upward (crankcase seam horizontal).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTY-84R; Revised: 01/25/19

Page 9 of 32

11) CAREFULLY remove the camshaft caps, both camshafts, spark plug tube seals (discard, 1-time
use) and either the cylinder head plate (on M/T models) or the vacuum pump (on A/T models) as
shown below. Spray any remaining sealer with gasket remover and allow to soak.