Blame It On The Oil And Other Engine Excuses | Subaru Trailseeker | Wet and not so Wild | Auto History

Why These Engines Made The List

Don Armstrong 0:04

Um why don't you just go ahead and do it? Yeah, I'll just go ahead and do it. Thank you.

Jeff Dziekan 0:08

All right. Well, uh engines on this list were chosen because of ongoing recalls, owner complaints, class action lawsuits, and government investigations over the past 12 months. To narrow it down, these specific choices, uh, popular vehicles from major brands have been subject to large ongoing recalls over the last year. So very, very

Honda 1.5 Turbo Warning Signs

Jeff Dziekan 0:27

current. First one on the list is a Honda. Uh it's a 1.5 turbo. Honda generally enjoys a strong reputation for reliability, but there's some Hondas their engine buyers, uh their engine of the engines and the buyers might want to steer clear of. Uh one of these engines is the 1.5 liter turbo. It's a four-cylinder engine. Uh and it's been around for a while and now powers some of Honda's best-selling models, including this uh Civic Accord, the CRV. Unfortunately, the engine's issues have also been known for a while, namely oil dilution and head gasket failures. A blown head gasket is not cheap for a quick repair, while Honda hasn't issued the factory recall for these problems. Ongoing 1.5 liter turbo issues have continued to plague the company, including class action lawsuits.

Nissan VC Turbo Recall Reality

Jeff Dziekan 1:13

The next one on the books is a Nissan. It's a 1.5-liter uh turbo. It's a VC turbo. Things overall have not been great for Nissan recently, as the Japanese automakers worked to dig its way out of financial turmoil and the at the corporate level. The company's innovative yet often troublesome variable compression engines have been a major culprit behind recalls and owner complaints. The 2026 Nissan 1.5 is a three-cylinder turbo VC motor, has proven especially problematic, with the company recalling over 600,000 rogue SUVs for potentially catastrophic engine problems. If uh fortunate uh the fortunate sums affected by the engine will only need a throttle body replacement, so it's either one or the other. Very, very difficult to do.

GM 6.2 V8 Internal Failures

Jeff Dziekan 2:00

Here's one that we all know. It's a General Motor 6.2 liter V8. Turns out through the simpler, naturally aspirated American V8 is not without its own problems. Specifically, we're talking about problems with the GM 6.2, which powers popular models like the best-selling Chevroy Silverado, GMC Sierra pickups, as well as the Chevy Tahoe, GMC UConn, and the Cadillac Escalade. Uh well, the SUV's problem in the game Cadillac as well. Problems caused by defective internal components on the 6.2 has thus far led to recall over 700,000 trucks and issues, not to mention ongoing class action. Well, there's a theme there with class action. Uh, GM says a possible solution is to change the recommended oil viscosity. Well, let's just start there. Blame it on the oil. Yeah, however, questions remain about the effectiveness, and it hasn't really provided the L87 owners with any real peace of mind.

Jeep 4XE Hybrid Trouble Spots

Jeff Dziekan 2:56

And then we got one that we all know and love. It's been around forever, the Jeep two-liter turbo hybrid. This is an X4XE, is what they call it. Oh, four by E. Yeah, four by E. Uh, now the fastest things can change in the auto industry back in 2021. The new Jeep Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee 4XE models, which use a two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with a plug-in hybrid electric power, were portrayed were portrayed as the future of the Jeep brand, and the 4XE powertrain has also been plagued by mechanical and electrical issues. Surely haven't seen help in this case for sticking around, uh, among other things. The 4XE had already been recalled for potentially battery fired issues, and then there was some uh another recall for possible casting sand uh left inside of the 4XE's two-liter turbo, which over 100,000 vehicles were recalled because of that. If the sand is inside the engine, it could lead not just to total engine failure, but also to a fire

Toyota 3.4 Twin Turbo Concerns

Jeff Dziekan 3:54

risk. And lastly, on the hit parade is a Toyota, who would have thunk it? 3.4 liter twin turbo V6, traditionally one of the uh one bought new Toyota pickup, a reputation for reliability in the big selling components. The 3.4 liter twin turbo v6 engine powers Toyota Tundra pickups, Sequoia uh SUVs, and has suffered significant problems since the debut in 2022. And they continue to put a dent in Toyota's generally excellent reputation. As the 2026 ongoing uh catastrophes of the engine, it's an engine-bearing problems have been promoted. Uh Toyota's recalled over 250,000 trucks, and there's probably no remedy in sight for the near future, but uh they're still not completely immune from the that's their V8. Yep, yep, yep.

Don Armstrong 4:40

Gee whiz.

Jeff Dziekan 4:41

That's it.

Don Armstrong 4:41

Wait a minute, that's the same. Well, basically the same engine that they race in NASCAR.

Jeff Dziekan 4:46

Um well, yeah, the the 3.4. No, I think it's bigger than that. Is it twin? I don't know. They might. I don't know. I'll have to look into that. But yeah, but the 3.4, that's the V6.

Don Armstrong 4:57

3.4, yeah, V6. Oh, that's why I said V8. You said V okay. V6. Never mind.

Jeff Dziekan 5:03

All right. There we go.

Don Armstrong 5:04

Okay, we got that. Yeah, we got it. All right, very good.

SPEAKER_01 5:07

All right. Very good.

Houston Water Parks For Families

Don Armstrong 5:14

All right. Uh, time now for um our water parks driving destinations, Mr. Mars.

Mike Marrs 5:20

Yeah, we went looking for something for the 4th of July for the family, thought about water parks. It's hot here. And of course, you think about Schlitterbaum we mentioned earlier, or even Typhoon, Texas, up in uh Katy. Really large, a lot of people go there, big, large corporate parks. However, there's a few others around, like Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. Now, this is the old splash town. It is the oldest major water park in the Houston area. Uh, it's it's known for the variety of the slides, like the multi-lane racing slide. It's got a giant funnel ride, and there's a lot of wave pools on it, and it's very easy to get to. It's in the spring up off 45, so it's very popular with families. The second one that we wanted to look at was Big Rivers Water Park and Adventures. Now, this is up in New Caney, a little bit further up, but it's more than a water park. You can do zip lines, you got aerial adventure courses, you got climbing attractions, there's some animal. They even got some amusement park rides along with the regular traditional water slides and the pools. It's kind of a hybrid water park and adventure park. It's a great place to take the family, and you can do a little bit of everything at this one location. The third one we want to look at is Splashway Water Park. Now, it's one of the got a reputation as being one of the cleanest and most family-friendly water parks in Texas. It's located southwest of Houston, and it's kind of a relaxed atmosphere, and it makes it more appealing for the family because it's a little more family comfortable as far as the other.

Don Armstrong 6:50

What you're trying to say, it's a little bit more laid back for old people. Yeah. Well, or if you've got young children, it's well that's why I say grandpa, grandma and grandpa could take the young kids there.

Mike Marrs 7:02

There you go. There you go. That'll do it.

City Parks With Smaller Crowds

Mike Marrs 7:04

The uh the fourth one we want to talk about is, and I've never heard of it, Nestler Park Family Aquatic Center. Now, this is down in Texas City, and it's actually part of the Texas City Parking uh Parks Department. And uh it's very community-centered atmosphere because it is part of the city parks department. It's great for parents looking for a day to get out on the water without a lot of expanse and a lot of crowds that you're gonna find at the bigger commercial attractions. The fifth one, and I like the name of it, and and I've seen signs for it, but it's the Pirates Bay Water Park down in Baytown. Now it's obviously got a nautical theme, and it's got a lot of uh different things from a water park, including uh a large lazy river. It's got a wave pool, you've got lots of things you can climb on if you're a climber, and uh water slides of different sizes, and it's all part of a pirate-inspired design to give it a very different uh atmosphere, and it is another city-owned uh park, so it kind of gives it a different atmosphere. It's not quite so corporate level because it is the city park and it's for many of the Houston families that are close around. The other one I found interesting was the Strawberry Water Park. Now, this is in Pasadena. Uh it's smaller and it's much more of a neighborhood feel, so families can see the children. It's not really so big. They can get lost uh, you know, 100 yards away in some river that's going someplace. And so for a lot of the Southeast Houston residents, it's a quick, easy way to get to a water park without going all the way across town. The last one I found was Noah's Ark Park down in it's in Houston on West Center Drive. Now it's kind of it's really unique because it combines a neighborhood water park atmosphere with a biblical arc theme. So instead of being focused on extreme thrills, it's really emphasizes family fun with the swimming and lazy rivers, that kind of thing. And and it's not every water attraction needs to have all the big towers. There's plenty of those.

Don Armstrong 9:07

Will you be able to walk on water when you get done there?

Mike Marrs 9:10

Sorry? Will you be able to walk on water when you get done there? Well, I'm not sure, but it might be part of one of the attractions they might want to add. Sorry, I just had to go there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it's that's uh, but that's some of the things you could do if you don't want to go to a water park that's got all the big uh commercial corporate water parks. It's got massive crowds to them. These will get you into a little bit different atmosphere.

2026 Subaru Trail Seeker Review

Don Armstrong 9:34

All right, time now for time now for this hour's car review. I had the opportunity to drive the all-new 2026 Subaru Trail Seeker. You're going, what? It's all brand new. It's built in Japan, and it comes in these three trim levels premium, limited, and touring. I had the premium entry level, all-wheel drive. This is a mid-size electric vehicle. Two rows of seating for five passengers, including the driver. Exterior changes, obviously, it's all new for 2026. Body shape is great. Bulging fenders give it an off-road look. Black plastic wheel openings edge into the add to the boldness, but they also edge into the front bumper. I'm not really too keen on that, but it's one of those things that some people just, oh, that makes no difference to me. Or other people will say, oh, it's not too bad. It doesn't appeal to me, but whatever. Uh, rear lighting runs across the complete hatch into the rear fenders, which is kind of cool. Uh, it does have a taller stance than a regular Subaru, and it is noticeable. What I liked about it, the overall design is spot on. Again, what could use improvement? Front wheel opening, black plastic incorporated now into part of the front fascia. It to me overwhelms the side view of it, if I'm going to be picky. And I am. Interior highlights, two screens. One for instruments is too far from the driver, in my opinion, and too small. Needs to be bigger. Infotainment screen is big and um it works well with the tech borrowed from Toyota, of all things. Uh, dual phone chargers next to each other, up underneath the dash in the center console. Now, let me just say this about that. If you have to have two of them charging at the same time, couldn't you put one on a plug and save the space for something else? One lay down phone charger is one, whatever the case may be. Seating is comfortable. Uh, the second row leg room can be a little tight, but it's not that big of a deal because what it does, it leads to a huge cargo area, up to 74 cubic feet back there when you put the second seat down. What I liked about it, it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is integrated into the system, unlike some other car makers that said, nah, we're not going to put that in there anymore. Or another car maker that says, who needs AM radio? Uh-oh. Boo. What could use improvement? Few knobs and

Range Charging And Daily Usability

Don Armstrong 12:32

or switches instead of screen controls would be nice for the master, the major components in it. HBAC, radio, those sorts of things. Now, this is a two-motor, 375 horsepower, all electric, with a range of 281 miles. That doesn't seem like a lot, and it really isn't in comparison to some of the other vehicles out there. But, you know, when you buy one of these, you're going to buy it for its purpose. You like the way it looks, you like the all-wheel drive, you like the electric part of it, and you'll deal with the 281 miles of range that it gives you. Toes up to 3,500 pounds. Uh miles per gallon. Well, there's none of that, but my 40-mile commute to work used 12% of its full charge, if that gives you an idea.

Jeff Dziekan 13:26

I mean, is that good?

Don Armstrong 13:27

Um average? 12%. Well, the batteries aren't that big. So um it is what it is. But I think your purpose-driven is good too. Yeah. And the fact that, you know, if you do it the right way, you get to work, you plug it in, it's full at the end of the day when you're ready to come home. Same thing when you get home, you plug it in. There's a lot of plugging. And um, if you're into that sort of thing and it doesn't bother you, good for you. What I liked about it, the power, plenty of it. Um, what could use improvement? How about a hybrid option? Yeah, just a plug in, yeah. Is there such a thing? I don't know. Can you take an all-electric vehicle and make it a gasoline hybrid? I don't know. But I like the body style, I like the way it looks, I like it overall. Riding handling, ride is excellent. What could use improvement? Uh, didn't take it off-road, but expect uh there are some limitations to it, but who's to say? I mean, I'm not an off-road expert, so don't ask me.

unknown 14:27

Okay.

Don Armstrong 14:28

Uh, base trim price on this, $41,445. Price is tested $41,840. Base model price, $39,995. Competitors, the Hyundai Ionic 5 um is $35,000.

unknown 14:42

Okay.

Don Armstrong 14:42

Tesla Model Y, $39,900. And Mustang Mach E. I was kind of surprised at this. $37,795 is the entry level.

Jeff Dziekan 14:52

It's right in the middle there.

Don Armstrong 14:53

Yeah.

Jeff Dziekan 14:53

But you know what you get with the Tesla. You don't really know you know future with this one.

Don Armstrong 14:57

You know, I don't know anybody that owns a Mustang Mach-E.

Jeff Dziekan 15:00

I think that they had these. Do you? Yeah. Buddy Todd Sheldon up in Colorado. He's at least got one. Does he like it? I believe so, sure. I'm sure he does. He's a Ford guy. Yeah, he has to. Well, he doesn't have to, but yeah, I know I hear what you're you know what I like about that car, that review in those pictures. I love that steering wheel. That steering wheel in a car is cool. That kind of squared off. Yeah, flat top, flat bottom. That seems to be the the trend these days. I was just thinking, what you're doing, how do I get one of those?

Don Armstrong 15:27

Hey, we could retrofit it in your Bureck. I can do it. I know you can. I can do it. Let's see, a crowbar and a hammer. It's all we need.

Jeff Dziekan 15:35

Yeah, you just need a couple of pipes and maybe a wrench, something like that.

Don Armstrong 15:38

Uh coming up.

This Week In Auto History

Mike Marrs 15:44

All right.

Don Armstrong 15:44

Uh time now for this week in auto history, Mr. Mars. Let her rip. Uh-oh. Yes, sir.

Mike Marrs 15:49

We've got a few things that we're going to run through right quick here on uh related to this holiday week that's coming up. And on in 1894, inventor Elwood Haynes successfully tested his gasoline-powered vehicle up in Indiana.

Don Armstrong 16:04

Elwood, part of the Blues brothers.

Mike Marrs 16:06

Yeah. This is the problem. This is why he went to jail. So the uh Haynes Appleson, who was a guy that helped you with it, became one of the earliest successful American-built gasoline cars. In fact, because of history back the way records were kept back in the late 1800s, there's a lot of people think this may actually be the first uh true automobile in America. But there was a lot of them coming out, so they're still up to debate. But he was one of the earliest for sure.

Jeff Dziekan 16:33

See, it's the earliest donk, that's for sure.

Mike Marrs 16:36

Yes, it is. Then um in 1908, the great New York to Paris race. Now, I thought this was interesting because it literally goes from New York to Paris. I mean, you had to go across the country, you had to go across the oceans.

Don Armstrong 16:50

There we go, walking on water again.

Mike Marrs 16:52

Yeah, yeah. So it's 22,000 miles across three continents. Uh and this again was back in 1908. And the Thomas Flyer was declared the winner after uh going over some of the harshest roads uh imaginable. And of course, this was a worldwide got the worldwide attention from this because it did go halfway around the world.

Don Armstrong 17:11

How did they ford the ocean?

Mike Marrs 17:14

Put them on boats. Put them on ships. Literally. They had big balloon tires on them, and they kind of paddled paddle tires across there. But anyway, so also in 1914, Mercedes dominated the French Grand Prix. Now, it was a clean sweep by it because and they really wanted Mercedes went into it to show their advanced engineering, including four-wheel brakes, not just two wheels, but four-wheel brakes. Had some aerodynamic design that you can see in these pictures here, and uh their the reliability that they were building into it. So it demonstrated how racing could accelerate technology because a lot of other companies took the technology they found at this race and incorporated it into other uh aspects of their vehicles. Then in 1966, Irv Gordon purchased his legendary Volvo. Now, you may not know about old Irv, but he bought a brand new Volvo P1800 in 1966. Now, it was just a plane car, obviously, uh, but he put three million miles on that car, got a Guinness World Book of Record on it, and uh that's now in uh the museum, a Volvo Museum, and that is the vehicle with three million miles on it by one person driving one car. He got his use out of that one.

Don Armstrong 18:36

I saw the story on that. That was good.

Mike Marrs 18:38

Then in 1979, let's see if you know this one. The first Auto Shack store opened in Forest City, Arkansas. Very modest at the time, but that that was the beginning of auto zones. And I had no idea. I just thought auto zone was always auto zone. I did too. But uh it was truly an auto shack, I guess, comparable to uh Radio Shack or whatever it was at the time. Yeah, and of course it became a big national chain of vehicles. That was just a few of the things we found interesting in auto history this week.

Don Armstrong 19:08

Perfect, very interesting.