Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

1…180181183185186…385

Comments

  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Replaced the plug wires with Bosch premium ones with a life time warranty. Replaced the plugs with Bosch platinums just for the hell of it. Drive to work this morning, no hesitation or misfire comming out of the toll gate. Smooth pull all the way. The engine is still a bit on the rough side, waiting see if it goes away.

    Went to get an alignment yesterday, was told the driverside rear wheel bearing is loose. Oh well, I guess its time to replace.

    I was also told that I would need new tires before winter. Here is where I need help, I want to get a tires that have good road manners (read: quiet), good traction and are pretty good in snow. (we do get alot of it here in Buffalo) I like the Dueler ATs I have but they get pretty noisy on the highway. I realize that I will loose some "bite" with good road manners but since I put ~25K miles on the car a year I think I can live with it.

    I am asking for recommendations. I like to not spend more than $500 and like the tires to last at least 50,000 miles. The Duelers have lasted over 46K miles and wearing well, I expect to get at least 50,000 miles from them.

    Thanks for all the help
    Mike

    P.S. I do a cross rotation of tires every 5K miles, this seem to work better than the front-back rotation that Subaru recommends.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    mike - It's half-closed all the time neeways. ;-)

    -juice
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    Hey all,

    I was wondering if anyone thinks it's possible to change a AT car to a MT? When the AT dies on my OB after 10 years or so, is it feasible to replace it with a MT? Any experience here? What would it entail?

    Eric
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Physically, I think you could find a wrecked vehicle in the junk yard and swap it out.

    The catch is the ECU, I wonder how all the electronic controls would work. I guess if you had a donor vehicle you could take it from there also.

    That's a lot of labor, though, it would be far more cost effective to just buy a new one or a newer used one.

    -juice
  • liz116liz116 Member Posts: 1
    Spickynitz -- My husband has had the same kinds of problems with his 2001 Forester. We're understandably annoyed, since the car is only 2 years old, and there should be no reason why the Check Engine light should be coming on. The engine bucks and revs as if it's about to conk out but then returns to idling after a touch of gas. Sometimes it loses power altogether. My husband has said that the car seems to do this of its own volition - he always takes his foot off the gas when it happens. As I'm not familiar with the acronym, can anyone tell me what an ECU is? Will fixing that solve the problem, or is there a more serious engine problem here? If anyone has any more info about this, including repair ideas, we'd greatly appreciate knowing what we're going to be in for.

    Thanks,
    Liz
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's was more complicated than you think...

    Items you will need:
    Tranny
    console/boot
    pedals
    hydrolic clutch controller (hydrolic cylinder)
    ECU
    Cross member
    flywheel
    starter

    Maybe some other stuff. I know a few SVX guys who have converted, and it hasn't been fun. Once it's 10 years old, I'd just find a used 5MT and buy that, it would be cheaper.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Engine Control Unit, I believe.

    Could be a bad knock sensors, or a failed oxygen sensor, too.

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    on my Ford F-150 truck (3 on the tree to a C-5 automatic). I can tell you from experience, and this was pre-ecu days, that this kind of transplant is more involved than you might think.

    Steve
  • joybelljoybell Member Posts: 275
    This is happening way too often. I start up my Forester and it idles unevenly, then stalls. Not always but often. I have to encourage it with the gas pedal to keep it from stalling. I didn't notice this when I first got the car a month ago, and it has only 300 miles on it. Could it be set at a too low idle? If I had a remote starter, that gadget wouldn't even work! By the way, I am saying goodbye to my faithfull 1993 Loyale wagon at the end of this month (and it starts a whole lot better!).
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    huh?

    3-on-the-tree is a 3 speed automatic with the shift lever on the steering column...

    -Colin
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    No Colin, "three on the tree" is a 3-speed manual on the column. That's how I learned to drive manual, on a '62 Ford Falcon and a '68 Ford F-100 Ranger. In fact I've driven more manuals on the column than on the floor - probably will stay that way since my MT days are pretty much over.

    Shift pattern usually:

    w
    h R 2
    e----H
    e 1 3
    l

    Ed
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Where (& when) I grew up, you got manuals as 3-on-the-tree (column mounted H pattern - 3 forward + rev.), or 4-on-the-floor. Automatics were 2 spd or 3 spd (col or floor shifter).

    Are you too young to remember 3 spd manuals? ;-)

    Steve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    You beat me by seconds!

    What's with these young kids, anyhow??? j/k

    Steve
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Dunno Steve, it's past my bedtime. I'd better mix some Geritol into this beer...

    Ed
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Hey Ed, I also drove a '68 Ford F-100 Ranger with 3 on the tree (360 V8). It was a long ways up to 2nd and reverse. Much longer travel than a Chevy truck 3 on the tree.

    Also drove my brother's '60 or '61 Mercedes 190D 4 on the tree (yup 4 speed manual on the column).

    DaveM
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    A Ford truck col shifter gave new meaning to the term 'rowing thru the gears'. It was quite a workout. In town driving built muscles in your left leg and right arm!

    Steve
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Oh 360 I wish, we had the big 300 I-6. Could pull tree stumps with that thing but not impressive on cruise nights.

    My dad switched to Chevies in the '70s after his next F-100 sprung a leak b/n cab and firewall. Drenched him everytime it rained and dealers couldn't fix it. He's had 7 since, all ATs though. I drove a few of my grandpa's Chevy C10s with three-on-the-tree, liked them better. They also didn't chew through tires like the old Twin-I-Beams did.

    Ed
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    one of these kids will tell you that a Ford "Ranger" is a compact truck, and couldn't possibly be associated with an F-series!!!!

    Steve
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    3-on-the-tree is a 3-speed column stick-shift, not an automatic. I drove many a 3-on-the-tree in my early days.

    Bob
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    mate that long travel, bulky, ocassionally jams shifter with NO power steering. Then drive it on the Merritt Parkway. Now that's a workout.

    Ed - Had the 300 I-6 in my '88 Ford F-150 w/ 5spd MT (on the floor).

    DaveM
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    was a 300cid also. Bought it in '81 from a local business. Converted it to an auto in '86 or so, and junked it in '93 when the cab colapsed onto the frame from rust. Miss the old beast.

    Steve
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Ford Ranger 'started' as an F-150 trim level back in the '70s or '80s, before it became the compact Ford truck line.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Forester stalling. Could be fuel pressure riser or intake manifold. If it doesn't start try turning the key to the "on" position for 10 seconds before starting it. If it doesn't stall or give problems chances are it's your fuel pressure riser.

    -mike
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Oh, thats right - Conn has combo plates. I live just off the Taconic, but only drove it illegally once or twice.

    Steve
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    The first time I ever heard of 4 on the tree, I was riding in a cab in Spain back in '79 (Spanish class trip senior year in HS). The driver started out with the shifter up. OK, he's starting in 2nd. He pulls in down, back up and then down again. Wait a minute, wasn't that 4 shifts? Let me count that again. Start from the top - 1, down - 2, up - 3, down - 4. Huh? A 4 spd on the column? Yup sure is.

    DaveM
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Had a PA truck tag on it. Drove back the always a pleasure, quite enjoyable 95 and Cross Bronx because I was pulling a trailer on the way back.

    DaveM
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    4-on-the-tree existed overseas, where 4-speeds trannys were the norm. The column shift was more than likely an "American' influence.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    take my trailers onto the parkways. Mostly cause the signs I see are "No commercial traffic" or "No Trucks", nothing is said about trailers behind passenger vehicles! :)

    -mike
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    The Ranger F series trim line started in the late '60's. '67 was the 1st year of the new body style but I think the Ranger trim started in '68. BTW, way before the F-150 was introduced.

    DaveM
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    When I was a kid learning to drive, my dad had an old (1952?) Benz with 3 on the tree. I graduated to a 1975 orange VW Thing with 4 on the floor and power nothing.

    Jon
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    wow, learn something new every day!

    can't imagine a manual transmission ef="he column, seems... dumb!

    -Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I knew it was some time ago. So it started with the F-100, not the F-150 then.

    Bob
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It wasn't my car, but I learned stick on a '57 Chevy with a column shifter back in the early 60's. Boy, I sure could have used a hill holder clutch on that thing.

    Steve, Host
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    of exploiting my geezer status here, you young 'ens have no idea how lucky you are with today's cars: Power steering, power disk brakes, precise short-throw shifting, synchromesh first gear, good handling; I could go on forever...

    If you ever get the chance, I recommend spending some seat time behind the wheel of a '50s vintage <pick any brand> car. It will be an eye-opener, for sure.

    Right Ed? ;)

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    the foot-operated high-low beam switch button on the floor next to the clutch? Or vacuum-operated windshield wipers? 6-volt batteries?

    Man, I'm having severe flashbacks...

    Bob
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    My wife still will not believe me when I tell her about floor mounted high beam switches!

    How about needing to add water to your car battery. And if I recall correctly, cars didn't always have a passenger side mirror, right?

    Jon
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Even driver-side mirrors were an option! Turn signals didn't turn up with much regularity until the 1950s. In the 40s they were pretty rare. 4-way flashers were virtually non-existant.

    Bob
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Many fond memories of the foot operated hi-low switch. Stopped at an intersection w/ high beams on, clutch in. Oops here comes an approaching car. Pop it in neutral, clutch out, hit the low beams with left foot, clutch in, pop in back in 1st.

    Also had the foot hi-low switch on my '71 Ford Torino but it was AT so no big deal.

    Back in the old days you needed more than 2 feet to drive. You had foot operated e-brake, hi-low switch in addition to the clutch, brake and gas.

    Missed the 6-volt batteries. '68 VW bug (parent's car) was the 2nd year? of 12V and '56 Ford F-100 (brother bought used in the '80s) was the 1st year of 12V.

    DaveM
  • sensei1sensei1 Member Posts: 196
    How about priming the carb with the palm of your hand and watching the gas fill up the float bottle.

    That's what happens when you sneak out Dad's '57 Chevy and run it dry then passing the hat for some gas money. ;-)
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    You STILL need to add water to batteries if you want to get a full life from them. "Maintenance Free" batteries are not really maintenance free. I've added water on several occasions in all my cars. Some batteries appear to be sealed but you can actually remove the cover(s) on most of them.

    Wow, finally back on topic!

    DaveM
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    maybe should be continued over in the Cafe.

    Let's not forget about tube bias-ply tires. They might make you appreciate the much-maligned RE92s...

    Bob
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    Whaaat? No mention of manual choke!!!

    Jim
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    4 on the floor, and a fifth under the seat!

    I remember my jr. high science teacher had a diesel Mercedes sedan with 4-on-the-column.

    Old joke: NHTSA is threatening to put the high beam switches back on the floor - too many blondes getting their feet stuck in the steering wheel trying to dim their lights!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • jerrys2jerrys2 Member Posts: 189
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Blame Colin for distrusting an item in my post (3-on-the-tree) about being wary of a tranny type swap!!! It is all his fault... ;-)

    And of course my '76 truck had the foot operated high beam switch with the manual tranny. And the directionals were non-auto (after a turn) canceling at that time on the base level trucks. I did not move up to this feature until I swapped steering columns (from a '78) along with the tranny swap.

    Steve
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    The Explorer isn't an SUV! ;-)
  • 03xngreen03xngreen Member Posts: 36
    ECU = Electronic Control Unit

    I'm no expert, but it's basically a little computer in your car that controls vital functions like timing and fuel injection by acting on data from sensors.

    Not sure if they would actually try to fix one rather than just replace it. Don't believe they're inexpensive, either.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Custom/Ranger/Explorer trim lines on the F series.

    Steve
  • jerrys2jerrys2 Member Posts: 189
    Wow what a trip back in time...how about the vacuum shift. Learned to drive on a '41 Chevy.
    Besides not having all of those things mentioned above it didn't have an oil filter, as I recall it also needed a valve job every 10k - 12k miles.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dave's right, you have to check the (distilled) water level on your battery. I didn't and my battery died in the frost of CT.

    My old Yamaha XT125 motorcycle had a manual choke, but it hardly needed it. Also, during Driver's Ed at high school, they had really old simulators with....3 on the tree! It was wild after having driven several 5 speeds with the shifter on the floor.

    What do you call the new Civic Si and the Alfas? 5 on the dash? ;-)

    Geritol, LOL. I think I fall inbetween the geezers and the wet-behind-the-ears Crew members.

    On that X - try resetting the ECU. It'll run rich for a tank but it might solve that type of issue.

    -juice
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.