The front valve cover seal leaks and allows oil to travel down the engine block onto the alternator. It accumulates over time eventually shorting it out. If it happens when driving there is a significant loss of power, instrument cluster malfunction and potentially a stall. It may mimic a transmission issue as the transmission is electronically controlled, but you will quickly have most of your warning lights illuminated, ie airbag, engine, abs etc.
The repair is covered under a recall but is prone to happening again. You can see an accumulation of what looks like black wet sand on and in the alternator. It can happen relatviely quickly. Unfortunately, there are two other areas also prone to leaking not covered by the recall (rear valve covers) as it is a painful long repair, about 10 hours.Other than that, i'ts the only issue I have had and I'm at 125,000 km.
Update from Sep 11, 2015: me again...just an FYI that as predicted the valve cover started leaking again with less than 20k miles,probably closer to 15. Covered under the recall, but there was a little bit of "discussion" ;)
It started with the Tire Pressure Monitoring light coming on, so I took it to a mechanic who told me that the problem wasn't with the tires or tire pressure - therefore, we are to assume that it is an electrical issue.
Next, the ESC and ABS lights came on and then went off, then on again, then off. It's disconcerting because you don't know what to take seriously and what to ignore!
- Steve B.,
Hudson, FL, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The front valve cover seal leaks and allows oil to travel down the engine block onto the alternator. It accumulates over time eventually shorting it out. If it happens when driving there is a significant loss of power, instrument cluster malfunction and potentially a stall. It may mimic a transmission issue as the transmission is electronically controlled, but you will quickly have most of your warning lights illuminated, ie airbag, engine, abs etc.
The repair is covered under a recall but is prone to happening again. You can see an accumulation of what looks like black wet sand on and in the alternator. It can happen relatviely quickly. Unfortunately, there are two other areas also prone to leaking not covered by the recall (rear valve covers) as it is a painful long repair, about 10 hours.Other than that, i'ts the only issue I have had and I'm at 125,000 km.
Update from Sep 11, 2015: me again...just an FYI that as predicted the valve cover started leaking again with less than 20k miles,probably closer to 15. Covered under the recall, but there was a little bit of "discussion" ;)
- Rob D., Bangor, ME, US