Here is a concern I have seen written about fairly new Subaru engines, especially in colder climates, more than one time. The solution the dealership and factory provides is a computer issue, I disagree, read on:

Concern: I recently purchased a new 2010 Subaru Outback Limited. Almost immediately, I noticed that if I leave my vehicle more than about 4-6 hours, it becomes very difficult to start, requiring at least 10 (sometimes more) seconds of cranking before the vehicle starts (no difference whether the vehicle has been outside in the cold or in a heated garage). When it is has been less than 4-6 hours since the vehicle was driven, it starts almost immediately.

Solution: Well, I have good news and I have bad news for you.

The good news:

By cranking an engine over for a short while before the initial start-up, you begin the flow of oil from the crankcase. The process you are engaged in has the added value of allowing the oil pump to push the oil to the top of the engine before it starts. This is a really good thing because a pre-lubricated valve train as well as cylinder walls, reduces internal engine wear dramatically. In fact, most engine wear takes place during the starting process.

Actually, this is the reason that manufacturers require thinner motor oil. You will often find in newer vehicles that 10W-30 and similar oils are compulsory because these thinner oils are easier to pump to the top of an engine. The manufacturers have created engines that do not require old-school thicker oils any more. For this reason and the fact that vehicles are lighter, do not tow heavy loads and are not expected to haul heavy weights around, the old practice of using heavy weight oils like 10W-40 and 20W-50 is not necessary any longer.

So in your case, you now have this “advantage” of ensuring that this pre-lube process takes place.

The bad news:

By extended cranking duration, you are putting extraordinary wear and tear on the starting motor, battery and charging system. As far as the starting motor is concerned, they are built to take periodic extended cranking periods. As a matter of fact, one of the diagnostic procedures for starting motor integrity is to crank the engine over for up to 10 seconds to test for starter draw and such. As long as the starter has sufficient time to cool down, at least two minutes, it will be fine. For you, this will happen automatically because you will be driving the car for more than two minutes at a time I’m sure.

Because these motors operate with high current, usually 100 amps and higher, they can get very hot. Other than normal bearing and brush wear, this is the only other major issue they must deal with so you are OK with the starter motor.

As for the battery, you will be putting it through many deep cycles of discharge and recharge. Obviously the discharge will take place during the cranking period, so in a perfect world, you would try to keep this to a minimum. Each time a battery works through a discharge and a recharge cycle, it loses life. Sulphur moves out of the sulphuric acid (making up the electrolyte) and deposits on the lead and lead peroxide plates inside the battery. If the sulphur is displaced too much – out of solution and onto the plates – the electrolyte cannot perform its job. This process is what creates the voltage stored inside the battery. The recharge cycle is handled by the charging system – alternator and regulator.

This system will be tasked with charging the battery from an abnormal state, that is, from a deeper state of discharge. As long as this system functions properly, you should have no trouble. Under normal circumstances, this process can be repeated efficiently for about three years. After which time, the battery will have to be replaced.

Good luck. Call GotEngines.com @ 1-888-344-8044 for all of your engine replacement needs or feel free to ask an automotive question in the comment area below.