Is this a 2013 or a 2014?

I don't know what an "ssi so" engine is.

 

Sorry it is 2014
as for the other that is what the dealer gave me and they have vehicle

I have the vin number now JF2SJCHC2EH404367

 

If it's like my 2013, it had 60/90 psi on 3 of the 4 cylinders and the #2 had 120 psi. It basically had COOKED exhaust valves likely from the massive vacuum leak at the brake booster that went unnoticed by the previous owner. A leak down test would confirm that. How many miles are on your engine, as I'm not aware of timing chain failures on the FB25 being common at all.

 

It's up there about 270,000

 

This sounds like a classic case of catastrophic engine failure, likely from the well-known issues with the FB25 engine in that year. The 'water dripping behind the glove box' is a huge red flag—that's exactly where the engine control module (ECM) is located. The initial 'no spark' diagnosis could have been from water-damaged electronics, but the 'no compression' finding points to a mechanical engine failure, possibly a dropped valve. You need a second opinion from a trusted independent Subaru specialist, not the dealer."

 

Unfortunately we only have one subaru place my usual mechanic was former subaru trained but has been independent for over 25 years so no training on these models.

There is another place in town but i have two law matters against him from his customers.
When i mentioned the water dripping from behind they sort of had a no big deal attitude until i suggest "isnt that where the main computer is stored and the ecm. " then they seemed to be more backpedalling and suggesting a second look. I did go by and got something i needed for work out of the back and did notice they had the glove box out and were working behind the glove box and under the dash

 

So you lost compression as confirmed by a compression test and they mention the possibility of valves hitting piston but they did not put a borescope camera down the sparkplug hole to see if valves had collided with the piston?
Did they do a compression test on each of the 4 cylinders or just 1 cylinder?

If they suspect water damage, did they test to see if the injectors are getting signal/voltage?
Did they check for fuel pressure?
Is there a timing chain inspection cover they can remove to see the state of the chain and how slack it might be? I'm not sure if the timing chain can be replaced with the engine in the vehicle or if it needs to come out on those FB series of engines- Assuming it's at the front and not at the back of the engine.

Dealerships get lazier and lazier**................ It would have taken 1-2 hour tops to check all that and then call the customer to give an informed opinion and a plan going forwards.

** No offence to @j3rf 🍻

 

they did not tell me they used a borescope camera, and said it most likely had a valve hit a piston but it sounded more like one of a few possible things they did say they tested only one and i asked what the other reading was he could only give me one number for the one cylinder (30)
I get it the vehicle is over ten years old but I also drive two gmc canyons one (2003) with just under 500,000 and the other 2007 has 300,000++ and i purchased subaru as it was known to get high mileage use
they seem to be setting me up to need to purchase new
my understanding is that the motor would need to be removed (dealers shop advise) they have had the vehicle over a month and everything I get from them doesn't sound right or doesn't add up

 

Don't authorize anything you don't want to do.

 

Dealerships get lazier and lazier**................ It would have taken 1-2 hour tops to check all that and then call the customer to give an informed opinion and a plan going forwards.

@TMX

None taken, you're not wrong....

The ECM is under the passenger side of the dashboard, but not mounted to the floor like the older Subarus. It's mounted to the left of the blower motor alongside a relay holder. While I wouldn't think it would suffer from water damage there, I don't think it's impossible either.