My Subaru has 80,000 miles on it, and is a 2002...l was told it needs a new engine...Anyone else had this problem with something being ''out-of-round''.....
The dealer said at my 80,000 mile check-up that l have an out-of-round cylinder. l was complaining about the sound it is making and that it does not have the pick-up and go that it use to have....l have changed my oil as recommended by the manual..and have had it in for every service...After they told me l needed the new engine,
l told them that l wo not be replacing it anytime soon because it is like 4K to do it...l DID take out an extended warranty (and told them my car is prob.and they still took me) with a private company..With this comp. my car has to last 3 months and after that they will pay for a new engine...The warranty cost me 1K...Thanks for all your advice, and one more thing..It is not a diesel engine...Do not you think this is a factory defect, or would not all the cyld. be out of round?

no

Which part is out-of-round?
If the mechanic thinks it is because of the engine noise known as piston slap, do not replace the engine. Many Subaru 2.5 is have that problem. But there is no fix - u need to deal with it. Supposedly the piston slap will not result in significant damage. l have a slapping 2002 also.

This is what piston slap sounds like:
http://cs.senecac.on.ca/~selmys/dec132005b.wav

Tips for good maintenance: replace the transmissions fluid, spark plugs, & air filter every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, replace the coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, fuel filter, & differential gear oil (front & rear) every 30,000 to 38,000 miles, & replace the oil & oil filter every 3,200 miles. The piston slap (if u have it) wo not stop, but otherwise, the engine will be running fine.

Who told you it needed a new engine and why? What does it do to make you think it needs a new engine? If it is sounding like a diesel l need more details, if this is the case it does not need a new engine. Please provide more details

l have a 92 Legacy which has 345,000 miles and runs like a top. Give all the background story as to who told you that a new engine was required.
Believe it or not, not all mechanics are honest. This out-of-round problem may just be a gimmick to line the pockets of a thief. You can always get a second opinion from another shop and see what they say.

I've owned 5 subarus 1980-2004 all have been good, Cam belt change at 60K Mi. for older and 90k Mi. for newer years. My 1999 did crack a head at 92K but is still running strong.

Get a second opinion and do the maintenance.

If it sounds like a diesel first thing in the morning but the noise disappears after 20 minutes then that is normal for the 2.5 litre 4 cylinder boxer engine. If the piston slap is still there after 45 minutes then l would suggest a new timing belt tensioner & a 5W-30 oil change.. Has the car had all it is regular maintenance done like clockwork? Contact Subaru head office & see what they can do. If u have not maintained the car properly then u r SOL because the worst case scenario is scoring on the piston walls which is a sure diagnosis of needing a new short block. If this vehicle was never serviced at a dealer then sorry for ur bad luck.

It is odd that you are having piston noise on a 2002. That is a common problem on the 4 cam 2.5 is built from 96-99. It is always number 4 because of the EGR tube dumping into that cylinder. I've changed over 250 of these pistons. l guess it is possible that the 2 cam engines are having the same problem. You can leave it alone or replace it when your head gaskets go out. This is becoming almost a given on all Subaru 2.5's. Why could not they have left the 2.2 alone?(a GREAT engine)