HELP with Code P0302

[spoonman]

I need help determining my next move with a P0302 problem I'm having with my 2004 WRX 2.0 turbo.
Last week I took my car in to the Subaru service center with an exhaust whistling problem and for a routine oil change.

It cost me $960.00 to replace a cracked mid pipe. I picked it up the next day and drove off to work. Within 3 blocks the check engine light came on and then the car had a drop in power and I smelled fuel and a burning rubber smell. I turned around and brought it right back to the dealership.

They gave me a loaner car and kept mine over the weekend. Days later they tell me the code came up as P0302 - misfire in cylinder 2. There's 180k miles on the car and the plugs were replaced last year when this same code came up.

The tech at the service station tells me there's no compression in cylinder 2 and has quoted me 4500K for a rebuilt engine. I can't help but feel like they're pulling my leg here, and seeing my high mileage are just trying to get me to buy another car from them. I asked them for written repair estimates which took them days to give me. It ended up being just scribble on a receipt. Not much info. They say they checked the plugs and coils, but I see now I should have asked them for the compression test numbers.

They didn't tell me until today that when they changed the oil last week, it had some fuel in it. You think that would give them a heads up? I just forked over nearly a grand and now I can't use my car. There was no engine light on when I brought it in. They're telling me the pressure from replacing the mid pipe caused the cylinder to give way. Does this make any sense to anyone here? I'm thinking I need to tow it somewhere for a second opinion. They quoted me only 1k for a trade in. Any help would be appreciated.

[garzdos]

I need help determining my next move with a P0302 problem I'm having with my 2004 WRX 2.0 turbo.
Last week I took my car in to the Subaru service center with an exhaust whistling problem and for a routine oil change.

It cost me $960.00 to replace a cracked mid pipe. I picked it up the next day and drove off to work. Within 3 blocks the check engine light came on and then the car had a drop in power and I smelled fuel and a burning rubber smell. I turned around and brought it right back to the dealership.

They gave me a loaner car and kept mine over the weekend. Days later they tell me the code came up as P0302 - misfire in cylinder 2. There's 180k miles on the car and the plugs were replaced last year when this same code came up.

The tech at the service station tells me there's no compression in cylinder 2 and has quoted me 4500K for a rebuilt engine. I can't help but feel like they're pulling my leg here, and seeing my high mileage are just trying to get me to buy another car from them. I asked them for written repair estimates which took them days to give me. It ended up being just scribble on a receipt. Not much info. They say they checked the plugs and coils, but I see now I should have asked them for the compression test numbers.

They didn't tell me until today that when they changed the oil last week, it had some fuel in it. You think that would give them a heads up? I just forked over nearly a grand and now I can't use my car. There was no engine light on when I brought it in. They're telling me the pressure from replacing the mid pipe caused the cylinder to give way. Does this make any sense to anyone here? I'm thinking I need to tow it somewhere for a second opinion. They quoted me only 1k for a trade in. Any help would be appreciated.

I would definitely get a second opinion. Whether what they are saying is true or not, the way they are going about it would make me want to go somewhere else! But a second opinion is always a good idea...

[KCAN13]

I would definitely get a second opinion. Whether what they are saying is true or not, the way they are going about it would make me want to go somewhere else! But a second opinion is always a good idea...

Had a similiar situation and it was an injector stuck open, car bogged out and ran like **** at idle and my CEL blinked. Took me forever to figure it out but def check that option

[Donkey]

IF YOU HAVE A MISFIRE CODE ,PLEASE READ THIS!!!

[spoonman]

I went into the Subaru service station yesterday and asked them to do a leak down test to help decide whether to rebuild or replace the engine. They still kept pushing me towards replacement saying they charge $600 to tear it open and look at the cylinder. I said I wanted to try less invasive tests first, before doing that. Found out compression in cylinder 2 is 50 psi. They only tested cylinder 2. After I asked for the other cylinders to be tested, they said they all were came back normal at around 150 psi. Today they e-mailed me saying they took the engine apart and cylinder 2 is burnt and needs exhaust valve. I was pissed they took the engine apart without my approval. I wanted to tow it for a second opinion. I'm still not trusting them that it wasn't something more simple, but now they've destroyed any evidence of foul play. The service manager tried to convince me he did it for my benefit and they won't charge me the $600. Ya, damn straight you won't. I asked them to put the engine parts in a box and in the car and that I'm having it towed for a second opinion. Today I met with an experienced and well reviewed engine repair shop owner. I'm taking it there. Subaru quoted me $3000. to rebuild only 1/2 the engine (left side, cylinders 2 and 4), and $5000. for an 84k replacement engine. New guy says he can rebuild the entire engine for 4k, or replace for the same amount if the engine isn't worth repairing. He also laughed at Subaru's suggestion that sealing the pressure with the new mid pipe is what lead to cylinder 2 giving way. Any thoughts?

[spoonman]

Thanks, but I've already read that. P0302 is a general code if the problem isn't a misfire, but instead a cylinder failure. A compression test in cylinder 2 came back as 50 psi with all other cylinders in normal range...around 150 psi. I requested a leak down test. Today they e-mailed me to say they broke the engine down, without my approval. I wanted the leak down test to help decide whether to rebuild or replace the engine. They kept steering me towards replacement. Most likely because their technicians aren't experienced enough with engine rebuilds and they don't want the liability. So the leak down test showed air exiting the tail pipe. Cylinder 2 has burnt head and needs exhaust valve. They quoted me 3k to rebuild only the left side (cylinders 2 and 4) and 5k to replace with an 84k engine. I want a second opinion. Ready to tow it to an engine specialists. Any thoughts?

[RayfieldsWRX]

Double posted, so I'm merging the threads.