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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Thanks for the advice - I tried to answer yesterday but the message didn't post:
the timing belt is around $450, the "quick-fix" cylinder rebuild is $850 and the two new cylinders are $2500. If they find the clutch needs replacement it will be another $750. The timing belt would be no charge with either the cylinder rebuild or replacement.
I'm still weighing my options and hope to look at the 2006 before deciding what to do. I know the timing belt needs to be done soon as I'm pushing my luck on that.
The car may be worth about $4500 as a trade-in.
Kathy
Given the included timing belt, that's what I would choose. It's only $400 extra, and that's just one single car payment!
Given the mileage I wouldn't even object to a new clutch. But if it's not slipping I wouldn't change it.
I'd do the $850 job even if you will trade it in - the buyer will want to see reciepts for the belt.
Best of luck and please keep us posted, we'll try to help out in any way we can.
-juice
Back in 01 I was looking for a set for my Forester because I always have my window open somewhat. I was running into the same problem with Subaru making them but not making them available on this side of the ocean. I asked Subaru why and they said they used to offer them but stopped.
In this Forum lakepop found a dealer in N.H (Exeter) that had contact with a company that made a clone of the Subaru part. He would special order a bunch at a time and sell them for $125 plus shipping. Several of us bought some, me personally, 3 sets. My wife and I each have Foresters, my second (now her second too).
My wife misses them on her new 05, as I would , so I contacted Exeter. Alas, they have no idea what I was talking about. "Mike" seems to have left with the info. :mad:
I need to talk to a parts guy anyway, so I will ask if he has access to the Subaru part, since we now have the part number. That way it would be sort of a "group buy". I don't expect miracles but it is worth asking.
Has anyone been keeping count on how many are interested? I would assume the price would be less than $150, if available.
Somewhere I have the packaging for the clones. I remember searching for more info when I got them, to no avail. I do remember it was a Canadian company. Maybe someone up north has info, or could ask around.
Frank
The body is still pretty good - remarkable for where I live in a winter salt-saturated zone...
Thanks again for the help, Kathy
thanks!
rich
Don't wait too long, OK? That belt could snap.
Rich: the tongue is rated for 200 lbs. So that's pushing it a little. You don't want to lift the front wheels and lose steering traction.
-juice
I figured an aftermarket hitch could get me the tongue weight I required, but the suspension might not be up to it...
When I first got my 01 I hated that I had to wipe water off the door armrest switches while I was driving in rain, and on hot days I couldn't leave the windows open enough to vent when parked because of possible rain, and security. I really like my wife's 05 but I would not swap my Forester for a new one if I couldn't have the side visors. I am spoiled. She misses them more than she thought she would.
Good luck.
Frank
What do you think? Thanks for the input and I'm thinking more about that timing belt!
Kathy
I haven't actually ordered from them but I corresponded with them on something that I thought I needed (center caps for Euro 17" Forester wheels).
In the U.S. try http://www.cc-b.com . I ordered my wheels from them. It took over two months because they were held up with a WRX wheel group buy, but I finally got them.
-Dennis
So I reccomend them if they can be found. Hopefully I can get mine off when I upgrade.
Just my .02
lakepop
I put on the 3 sets I bought, and I agree they all have been trouble free. As I understand it some complaints of whistling on other Subaru vehicles were the reason that conservative Subaru stopped offering them here. Too bad because they are an excellent addition to the Forester.
It is funny you mention taking them off to transfer. I was measuring both Foresters to see if they would fit. I think so.
What is a little confusing is that the current part number is different from the Subaru number you and I had for our 01s. The new ones seem to have clips too, which ours didn't have. I would hate to rip them off and then find out they don't fit. :surprise:
I would measure about 400 times and maybe make a template before I started prying.
Do you remember the name of the company that made our clones?
Frank
I'd still fix it. :-)
I've driven a 2006 Forester, the cargo area didn't seem any different. I folded the seats back at the NY auto show and don't recall a big change, either. But I did not fold the seats on my recent preview drive because at the time I didn't see any need.
-juice
-juice
Subspicious--I found the missing cargo space in the Forester. They put it in the Tribeca.
Further to my previous posts ... Got my 05 XS Premium (leather & moon) last week -- great car except my wife is the one who gets to drive it (she makes more money) to work and I get the Corolla. Oh well.
But ... I am confused from previous posts to this forum on the security (alarm) system. Up here in Canada, there is nothing factory-installed on any Forester but from what I seemed to have read here, perhaps this isn't true for the U.S.? I'm scheduled to get one installed by my dealer next week, a Subaru supplied one. Debated getting a Viper system from a retailer/installer here in town (they are going to tint my windows next week anyway) but their alarm would in fact cost more than my dealer's.
If I'm wrong and the US cars don't have any alarm built in, is there anyone here who has installed the Subaru one? Not only is it cheaper but I figure would have less chance of mucking up the electrical system and hence warranty, etc.
Mike in Canada
If you have more than 105k miles change that belt! )
-juice
Bob
Again they have been seamless for me and I cannot understand why they are not avialable oem/aftermarket. But then I cannot understand why Haynes or Chilton don't put out a repair manual.....perhaps a restriction by Subaru?
As for pulling mine...I have a bunch of minor mods I'll need to undo prior to upgrading. These include the visors/CAI/strut brace/sway bar/axle back sport muffler and perhaps the 6 disc WRX radio. Fortunately I have all the oem stuff to put back on. I'm a believer that modded cars are harder to move than stock ones...ergo the swap back.
OK...got a little off topic there..........be well!
lakepop
I know for certain because I installed them on mine.
-juice
-Dennis
The X has nothing so you add the keyless and then the alarm.
The XS has keyless so you just add the alarm.
The Bean comes with keyless and the alarm.
The Turbo alarm has the engine immobilizer, the others get the starter immobilizer. They all get the usual shock and forced entry detection.
The alarm qualifies for the insurance credit here in MA.
I like the Subaru alarm for the reason you mentioned, integration and no pointing fingers if a problem in the vehicle wiring develops.
Good luck with your new Forester!
Frank
Frank
So, so far it is cheaper to get them from England. How much sense does that make?
Maybe Mike in Canada can find us a connection? Hopefully his wife will want them for the new 05.
There has to be a better way if we keep picking at it. The last time I went through this subiegal (allsubaru.com) was supposed to check on getting them from an over-the-ocean connection, but she never got back to me.
With Exeter at least you got a better answer than I did. I agree it has been a while but it was less than 3 years ago I bought my last set.
I have been applying things with that double-sided tape for a LOT of years, and I have never had ANY failures, even with MA winters. If they fail it is because the surface wasn't prepped correctly.
Juice - I was going to ask you if the flares were put on that way. I remembered you doing that. Timing.
Frank
Juice--you were right about DOHC engines being the interference type. Here's a link to some Subie Belt info:
http://www.troublecodes.net/tbelt/subarutb.shtml
My replacement schedule is 105K miles or 105 months. I'm only half way to my month limit and have unusually high mileage resulting from less stressful open highway driving. I can probably get away with a few more miles, but I promise to get new belts soon. Until then, I'll keep my cellphone handy and maybe some panty hose too.
Not sure if this i the same thing but here is the link to the accessory on the Subaru Australia web site
http://subaru.com.au/explore/forester/accessorydetail.asp?item=23492&accessory=18937
Cheers
Graham
Nice stumble you had a couple of weeks ago, 204meca.
Steve, Host
This is a discussion which comes up on other boards. ALL 2.5L world wide are interference engines.
ALL DOHC worldwide are.
ALL 2.2L US spec made starting in 1997 are.
OF the remaining EJ series (4 cyl 2.2L based engines since 1990), the 1.4L, 1.6L and 1.8L) are not. We in the US don't get to see all the smaller displacement engines.
..would it be a fair statement then - - spelling it out for a basic Navy type like me - that the Forester X - with the SOHC 2.5 boxer - is a non interference engine?
...again, these threads are gold.........best, ez.........
There is a Subaru site for Non-dealers which has a 4-6 month old Service Bulletins, as well as archive data. So long as the moderators don't think this is a violation of the link rule, you can read the following. You no longer need a subscription or logon to get to this wealth of information.
http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/TBeltEWWin05.pdf
Asa
(2004 2.5X 5-Speed)
-Frank
Jim
Too bad that is not Canadian $$.
Frank
I decided to ask the experts before I took the time to remove the screws! Do all Foresters have the filter box or just those with that option? I am wondering if the all come with the capacity for a filter & one needs to only put a filter in or must it have been on option on the car? Can an appropriate filter be purchased anywhere other than a Subie dealer?
Count me in for a group buy on the vent visors.
My wife doesn't think the Forester looks as adventurous as our current ride..the Xterra... So my purchase plans are in limbo for now.. The only other factor slowing a Subie purchase is that I would have to get a small bike trailer for my dirt bike.
Thanks!
rdb
After a few exchanges of notes (and exchange rates). The side visors are about $150 us (80 pound UK) by todays exchange rate. To ship one set to the US is an additional $126 (70 pound UK). $276 per set.
If they ship 4-6, the part cost is the same , but to ship qty 4-6 is at a rate of $165 total (90 pound UK) to One location. For this amount, they require a 'Bank Transfer'. This would bring the price per kit to about $200 US. Then they would have to be reshipped to those from a single place at a lower rate I would imagine.
If anyone would want more than 1 set, or live close enough to 'pickup' instead of add'l shipping, then maybe they could be the US delivery point.
I would be interested in buying a set. Anyone who knows someone nearby, or would order more than 1 set could arrange it. Maybe taking Paypal as a way to transfer monies between buyers.
Just a thought.....but there is no easy way to get anyone's Email, without a public post, to arrange this. If someone comes up with that, keep me in mind. I will arrange to do this, but right now, I have no idea of the shipping cost from northern NJ to anyone else interested.
-Frank
Now if I can just find some cool pics of a Forester!!!!!! :shades:
Thanks Frank.....
-Dennis
My '98 did not have the air filtration option from the factory. I bought the kit and you basically cut away an end cap that is plastic with a knife and then insert the filter.
I'll find a photo for you, hang on...
-juice
Where is the picture of the airborne Forester?
Frank