Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep, don't top it off. I did the first couple of times and gas spilled and made a mess. Never again after that.

    Oddly enough my previous car needed to be topped off several times to get it to full. The Subie doesn't.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I top mine a little, but don't spill or drain down into the vapor tank. No problems.

    If this keeps happening and you're tightening the cap all the way, then something is wrong with the vapor system (could be the cap, among other things) or something else is causing the malfunction indicator light. Your dealer could tell you what the code is.

    Good luck!
    -Colin
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    ...it was mentioned somewhere here that if indeed it's the gas cap triggering the CE, that it can take until you have 1/4 tank left before it clears. I've also read that it could be 3 engine on/off cycles.

    In my Chevy Z71, I could top off a whole 1/2 gallon. I don't top off in our Subie or our Saturn, only go to the nearest nickel though.

    -Brian
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    It's time for my first Subaru oil change. Local Sub dealers looks like use Benzoil. Anybody else uses benzoil and what's your opinion?
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    You can use any oil brand that meets the requirements listed in the owner's manual. I prefer Castrol GTX for conventional oil and Mobil 1 for synthetic.

    Ken
  • ochsskochssk Member Posts: 52
    I knew after I posted my message the check engine light would go out. I noticed when I started the car last night the light was out. We're a little less than 1/2 a tank. I'll have the dealer check the codes anyway... And no more topping off!

    Thanks

    Steve
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Benzoil - you mean Pennzoil?
    Father-in-law swore by it, I've not had very good luck with it - but one of those bad experiences was a '71 Vega... need I say more?

    We're a Castrol family here... 5w30 in the Sube & Villager, 10w40 in the ol' Dodge & motorhome. Never had an oil-related problem.

    Dealer here uses Sunoco product... akin to Kendall? I do my own changes, so that's a moot point.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ben-Gay + Pennzoil = Benzoil? :-)

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    good thing my components are sealed~
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    is that oil for really old cars with bad (U)- joints?

    Or for Mercedes?

    Sorry, Ross....
    Cheers!
    Paul
  • hamkola3hamkola3 Member Posts: 11
    Hey guys,
    What's the deal withthe splash gaurd? I'm doing my first oil change on the Forester and there's the little plastic joints at the top that allow it to rotate down once the bolts are removed but do these joint things come undone or do you have to work around the whole thing to get to the oil filter? aaaagggghhhhhhh!!!
    Help me please!
    thanks,
    Kurt
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    There are 4 bolts on the bottom side, all the same size ratchet, or use a phillips. Then there are two push-pins in the wheel well. Use a flat screw driver to pull the middle portion out, then they pop right out.

    Remove these 6 and the cover pops right off.

    Or do what I did - get tin snips and cut a hole for access. :-)

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    So how has that homemade access hole been working for you? Does the area around the filter get dirty?

    Ken
  • hamkola3hamkola3 Member Posts: 11
    didn't know if the pins were meant to be popped in and out or not, didn't want to rip 'em out and find out I was wrong.
    Kurt
  • jregen7243jregen7243 Member Posts: 91
    In case anyone was wondering what happened, I finally took my '00 OB in for its first inspection last week. I went around 6:45am, so there was no one in front of me. It was extremely painless, contrary to what I remember the last time I went to Rahway for inspection (about 10 years ago). I did remind the the attendant that it was an AWD car, and he said he knew. Here are the emissions results:

    HC STANDARD 100 Actual 7
    CO%STANDARD.50 Actual .07
    CO2% Actual 15.4%

    RPM 2390

    Thanks to everyone who responded.

    Jon
  • gof4gof4 Member Posts: 22
    Any suggestions for replacement wiper refills for 2001 OB? Mine are starting to streak real bad. Are all brands the same? Should I replace the entire blade or just insert?

    Thanks,
    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Bob,

    I'm very happy with a set of TriCo silicone blade inserts. I got them at Advance Auto Parts, if you don't have that chain near you just head into what you've got and look around. The driver's side wiper is considerably longer than the passenger's.

    -Colin
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I used whatever Advance was selling as a replacement....not the TriCo. they blew chunks. I bought a set of replacements from the dealer and they are a lot better. I was comparing the 2, the OEM ones are thicker and more supple. Long way of saying don't buy cheapos
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Well I am subieless this morning. She was WAY overdue (45K please don't hate on me!) so in we went for 30K service. I told them to skip the oil change since I just did that, going to Mobil 1 2 weeks ago. And also to stay with DOT4 brake fluid. The bill is going to be around $300 or so.

    then the OB has to go in!! Ouch.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I've found bosh to be the absolute best in blades. Especially in dirty/muddy/smoggy areas.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Loosh: I thought you were going to bring her over to juice's garage? ;-)

    You ought to bring Q over and we'll BBQ and service the cars. I bet Tati would love to hear you guys play some tunes, too. If you're interested e-mail me.

    -juice
  • stevekstevek Member Posts: 362
    A while ago a have seen a pickup (like Brat) Legacy GT picture, which said it is a model to be coming soon. Where can I get more info on this?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Go to www.subaru.com. It will be in dealers in the fall.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Steve: there is a whole Baja thread dedicated to it. Read up and then feel free to ask questions about it.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I've used Anco also w/o problems. First thing I do in the spring is spring for new blades on both cars.

    -Brian
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    What do you use to poke a hole in the oil filter?

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Screwdriver or punch. Punch is more appropriate even though most of them say "NOT FOR IMPACT USE".

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Phillips screw driver. Smaller ones work better. Some times I poke more than one hole to make drain faster.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    How hard do you need to "poke"? I tried a Philips driver for grins last time but gave up when I realized that it was going to take a bit more than a gentle prod.

    I just hate how the oil comes cascading down the sides of the filter. My wife's Jetta has a neat little screw at the bottom of the oil filter housing that you undo first to drain it.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I hold it in place with my left hand, and punch it in with the open palm of my right hand. It takes force but I've never failed to poke through, nor does it make a mess because the oil doesn't really come out until you slide the screw driver out.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    I just loosen the filter and let the oil drain over the sides. When it stops I remove the filter and gently place it in the pan. I use disposable gloves (from home depot) so the filter doesn't slip and my hands stay clean.

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I used to do that but the oil rushes out and doesn't always drain from one place. Poking a hole gives me a little more control. Whatever works for you.

    Wait - you have an Outback, right? The cover doesn't apply, so you have more room to work.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    difference solved. I'll try the hole trick on my next oil change. TRM, I need to order more oil filters.

    Greg
  • duckglrduckglr Member Posts: 3
    Hi all- I had a small altercation with a peice of flying debris on the highway today. The driver's side mirror of my 2001 outback was smashed, however there doesn't appear to be much of any damage to the casing. I was told by the dealer that the entire casing would have to be replaced at a cost of $170. This is an electrical mirror, but not heated. Does anyone know if it's possible to just replace the mirror itself, replace the unit myself, or if i should bite the bullet and have the dealer do the repair? Thanks!!
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I had my mirror replaced at a galss place, cost of the glass alone installed was like $35-$45.

    -mike
  • duckglrduckglr Member Posts: 3
    Hi all- I had a small altercation with a peice of flying debris on the highway today. The driver's side mirror of my 2001 outback was smashed, however there doesn't appear to be much of any damage to the casing. I was told by the dealer that the entire casing would have to be replaced at a cost of $170. This is an electrical mirror, but not heated. Does anyone know if it's possible to just replace the mirror itself, replace the unit myself, or if i should bite the bullet and have the dealer do the repair? Thanks!!
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I think the OB needs an appointment at Juice's Garage, sometime in the near future! $324.99 for the GT!!! That's $70 in parts, $20 in shop fees, and the rest labor and tax. And they didn't even put in new plugs. =(

    mySubaru.com is neat and all, but holy smokes that was half a paycheck for brake fluid, an air filter and a fuel filter!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Did they bleed the brakes? That's something I've never done yet, though there's always a time to learn.

    Air filter and fuel filter we could knock out easily. I'd add PCV valve, coolant drain and refill, and oil change (if needed), plus tire rotation. Maybe plugs.

    Heather: I'd get a 2nd opinion. Maybe even call over the phone to save time, see if another dealer or shop can do just the glass.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    ouch, $325 for the 30k maintenance. Actually I have heard worse though.

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Lots of dealers will let you de-couple certain maintenance items. My dealer was asking about $600 for my 60K maintenance. I dropped the air filter, oil filter and timing belt change and the knocked down the bill by about $200.

    Ken
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    If I remember correctly, my dealer wanted $180 for the 15k service. At least they weren't pushy about it when I declined.

    -Brian
  • crashton6crashton6 Member Posts: 245
    It's not too hard to do. I change out the brake fluid every two years in all my vehicles. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time leading to rust in the system & a lower boiling point. You haven't lived till you experience boiled brake fluid fade. I installed speed bleeders on my Miata & boy does it make the job easy. http://www.speedbleeder.com/


    Chuck

  • peterson10peterson10 Member Posts: 116
    Need to poke a hole in your oil filter? Get an automatic center punch. Set it for maximum impact. Keep it handy (no further away than the glovebox): that way, if you ever need to break out of your car (e.g. burning crash; power windows and locks disabled...or, on the wetter side...trapped in your car that is sinking in an icy river), you can shatter your shatter-proof windows in one split second.

    YetAnotherExcuseToBuyMoreTools
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    That's a great idea. I think I'll go check out Sears today...

    Ken
  • bird19bird19 Member Posts: 10
    'Just curious: this question is for the fuel experts out there.
    If you mix 87 octane gas with equal parts of 92 octane gas, would the results be considered 89.5?

    Is mixing octanes necessarily a bad thing?
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    bird19:

    You are on the right track. Mixing equal parts of two grades will result in a octane rating somewhere in the middle.

    No, mixing octanes is not "necessarily a bad thing". It's just a waste of money if your car performs well, as-designed, on the lower octane fuel.
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Hi guys,

    Three questions (sorry about the long post):

    1) I know there has been some discussion about clutch chatter on Subaru's. The clutch on my '01 Forester has always had some chatter since new, noticeable mainly when first staring out on a cold day. Lately, it seems to be getting worse. I've driven manual tranny cars for nearly thirty years now, and never had one this new with this condition (my car now has about 24 K miles). I've had it checked out on two separate occasions during service at Flemington Subaru, but of course, it wouldn't do it for the mechanic, since it was well warmed up at the time it was checked. I'm bringing it in again tomrrow and leaving it over night, so hopefully they will be able to confirm that there is a problem and do whatever it takes to get it right. Does anyone know what generally is the cause of clutch chatter in these cars? I mean, it appears to happen frquently enough, judging from these boards, that there is some type of common cause. I seem to recall someone suggesting weak springs in the pressure plate.

    2) Anyone have any experience with the service departments at Bill Kolb Subaru in Orangeburg, NY and/or Freehold Subaru, in Freehold, NJ? (One is near work, and the other is near home.)Flemington Subaru seems pretty good, and I know it's been highly recommended here, but it is quite a haul for me.

    3) I've been away from the computer for a while, due to a recent move, and I see Juice has gotten another Subaru? What did you get, the '03 Forester for the wife? Just curious!

    Thanks in advance,
    Len
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    leo2633:

    Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru in Orangeburg, NY has been servicing my 1996 Legacy for a few years. I recommend their service department highly. They don't split their time between several brands, as it's a single-brand store.

    In fact I'm picking up my 2002 Legacy GT Limited sedan there Tuesday afternoon.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well the saga continues! Did the power steering pump over the weekend. And it works now, but the rack I think is leaking! So now I have to find a rack for it. Nothing is easy :(

    -mike
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