Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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  • tunefultuneful Member Posts: 35
    Hi, folks. Anyone ever seen this problem? I am considering buying Forester X but the angle of the headrest is not right for me! When the backrest is right for my back (there are 2 positions that will work), the angle of the headrest pushes my head too far forward, which feels unnatural, and hurts my neck. I've had two whiplashes and it is a disability-related issue for me; I have not encountered this problem in other test drives. Changing headrest height did not help. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. Salesperson couldn't have cared less when I asked about this. Unfortunately, I have not found a caring Subaru dealership in the two DC/Baltimore ones I've visited (anyone know someone?). Making a vehicle decision very shortly. THanks very much.
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    I always drive to minimize clutch wear and tear, and I'm accustomed to at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles on one clutch. Last week I burned the crap out of my XT clutch. Not its fault; a snowplow left me buried with no shovel, and I had no choice but to force my way through it. Filled the cabin with the stench. I hope the damage wasn't too severe, and it seems to be operating normally, but undoubtedly I substantially shortened its life. Grrrr.
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    considering buying Forester X but the angle of the headrest is not right for me...the angle of the headrest pushes my head too far forward,

    Mine doesn't interfere at all - if anything, the opposite. I occasionally recline the seat and snooze in my XT, and the headrest is a bit too far back to make that comfortable.
  • andmoonandmoon Member Posts: 320
    Has anyone done a clutch replacement themselves?
    Is the transmission/center diff/front diff something that can be lowered with a (or 2 and some extra hands and 2x4s) floor jack while a new clutch is installed?

    Don
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Two suggestions:
    1) Try pulling it out and re-inserting it reversed. I have found some like it angled back rather than forward. Plus, in the case of the rear headrests, they work better with some child car seats when reversed.
    2) Consider an automotive upholstery shop. A minor 'nip & tuck' of the internal foam is all that is required. Don't scuttle a car purchase over a relatively minor modification!

    Steve
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    I occasionally recline the seat and snooze in my XT

    Jack- So would that qualify as a power nap? :-)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Both Phase I and Phase II have alloy blocks with iron liners. They get the EJ25 designation, EJ255 to be more specific.

    The new Legacy 2.5i gets the EJ255, the Legacy turbo gets the EJ257 shared with the STi.

    tuneful: see if you can swap them front<->rear, you could on the '98 models. In fact mine are.

    -juice
  • tunefultuneful Member Posts: 35
    Re: 2453 and headrest discomfort. Hm, I'll look into reversing them...but I would hate to buy it and find out that that doesn't work...but perhaps there is something that could be done aftermarket.
    Also, does anyone know if an armrest could be created for the driver's right arm (I guess it would be over the console and parking brake--maybe removable)? This also ties in with my whiplash issues. I would also have to have the left door handle built up as a rest. Thanx.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That would take some custom work, but it could be done.

    -juice
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    would that qualify as a power nap? :-)

    According to the wife, the only thing powerful about my naps is the snoring.
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    Re. center armrest: Did you sit in one that has the extra-cost "armrest extension"? It's not ideal, but it's an improvement over Subes without it.

    As for the height of the door armrests, they do seem low. However, I've found that the wide ledge at the top of the door (base of the glass) is at the perfect height to be my armrest.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    On my '98 the armrest extension is at about the same height as the door arm rest, so it works out OK. Both could be better padded.

    The '03 did get more (i.e. some) padding on the door, but that could still be improved a lot.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Is that why she makes you sleep in the XT?

    Greg
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Since we had such spring like weather yesterday (20F) I treated the OB to a tire rotation. 77 ft/lbs all the way around.

    Just needed an entry in this thread for the new year.

    Greg
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    It's better than jabs in the ribs.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Did you wax both sides of the rims while you were at it? ;-)

    -Brian
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    too cold. Since the hose is frozen I tried to lick the salt and dirt off, but my tongue froze to the rim. ;-o

    jk

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Your OCD Club membership is safe, but only if you then proceeded to wipe the frozen saliva off that rim. ;-)

    -juice
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    I've been hearing a faint clop clop sound from my engine when it's running. The usual putt-putt is there, but this noise is different. It almost sounds like a pulley on the fan belt. Any ideas?

    Eric
    00 OBW
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    .. Just a guess.. Failing (camshaft) drive belt tensioner? Listen around the cover when the engine is running.
    HTH, Owen
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    yeah I was thinking of checking the tension on the drivebelts. I've got 58k on it and I think those belts are original. To my knowledge, the've never been adjusted.

    Eric
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Membership is suspended in the winter months, it's so bloody cold here the last couple of weeks it has been impossible to wash the Titan, and it does not look to promising this week either.At the minute the colour could best be described as two tone Salt and Titanium Pearl:-)

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK to suspend as long as high temps are below freezing. It's in the rule book. ;-)

    -juice
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    Reason to purchase one of those humongous SUVs- Tax advantage!

    I believe if the weight of the vehicle is over 6000 lbs. (or is it over 6600 lbs?) and you have a private business, or self-employed, you can get a tax credit up to $100,000 purchase.

    The origins of this law was for farmers and the like to buy a truck for transportation of goods. The law does have a huge loop-hole that allows for Personal Use vehicles like an H2 or an Escalade.

    FYI
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    don't get me started on that. How about a loop hole for hybrids? (yeah, I know there is a token one now)

    Greg
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    title has taken a beating lately. Not enough time. Had my daughter help wax the OB before the winter, but still trying to get the right time to change the fuel filter I have sitting in my garage. The inside of the cars are a mess, particularly the Sienna. Vacuumed out the OB last week, and the next day rice was spilled all over the back mat. Arghh. Plenty of salt on cars now since our huge snowfall of, oh, 3" last night.

    Greg
  • rthompson10rthompson10 Member Posts: 75
    The other morning as I was shifting my 03 OB AT out of park there was a very loud "Click" coming from behind the dash as I pusheed the shifter to the right to shift down.

    Anyone hear of this/have this issue? Have only noticed it in the last couple of days in the frigid weather here in NJ.

    BTW, anyone know if the outside temp reads neg temps :)

    Robert
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    hat is the sound of the shift-interlock electromagnet engaging/disengaging. You tend to hear it more in colder weather.

    -mike
    http://AZPInstalls.com
    http://TeamIAC.com
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    As a leading member of the SUV basher crowd, and a CPA, I would say that (1) tax provisions ought never dictate our behavior; the mere availability of this or that tax benefit in no way compels us to avail ourselves of it, (2) we are (or ought to be) sensible, thinking people who carefully evaluate what we drive based on a range of factors, not least of which is how negatively they affect others around us, and (3) this particular provision of the tax code makes absolutely no sense when evaluated in light of several important national priorities and (IMO) will not survive the next code re-write.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Umm... yeah... that's it!
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    The idea that you can buy a $35K Suburban, and get a huge tax credit (if you are making around $100K, would that be about 33% back?), it sure makes the purchase compelling. Even if you are spending an extra $3K a year on gas.
    12 mpg vs. 22 mpg) x 20000 miles x $1.50 per gallon approximately.

    Though I agree with you completely about the loophole, it does exist.
  • rthompson10rthompson10 Member Posts: 75
    Thanks mike
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    Given a 4wd Suburban gets 14 to 18mpg on regular gas and a Forester XT gets 18 to 23 on premium. Using 16mpg for the `Burban and 20mpg for the Forester, the `Burban only cost about $170 more per year. Check it out on www.fueleconomy.gov
    Sort of surprising given the size and engine differences.

    Still, I'm not a fan of the tax break....

    --jay
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    Well, I checked my belts last night--they both look good. I didn't have a stethoscope so I couldn't tell where the sound was coming from.

    Incidentally, I just about rubbed my hands raw trying to get the nut clip thing out from underneath the intake manifold, after I happily loosened the bolt that goes through the alternator, only to hear a sickening jingle jingle as the piece fell on top of the engine.

    I guarantee that I'll never do that again! Ouch! :()

    Eric
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    In a couple of different comparisons in Car and Driver (in 2001 vs. an Excursion, then in 2003), C&D was only able to average 13 mpg respectively on a Suburban.
     
    A Forrester XS (closer in terms of performance to the Suburban) has a 21-26 mpg range. I do not think it is unexpected to get 22 mpg (get this with my WRX).
  • kajecokajeco Member Posts: 14
    was sabotaged in nov03 by a sunoco garage mechanic (who originally inspected my car for my purchase in may). while i am in the middle of complaints and suits, can anyone tell me why separate head gaskets are less expensive than a head gasket set? does the set include itsy bits that the separate gaskets do not? is it worth buying parts online then taking them to a mechanic and what criteria do i use to gauge one online vendor from another. i swear these mechanics around here are morons when it comes to subarus. is it because subarus have been *armstronged* that repair prices have been spiraling skyward or do mecanics unfamilar with a particular car make automatically raise prices out of fear?

    thanks for all your help.

    karen
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    Yeah it's hard to find a good repair place where I live.

    Karen where do you live?

    Not sure about buying from online vendors and then taking to mechanic. Maybe others with experience can chime in on that one.

    I use the Subaru Chase Mastercard where you earn 3% in Subaru bucks that you can use for parts and labor at the dealer. But from the way things sound, you need it pronto.

    Eric
  • kajecokajeco Member Posts: 14
    is extremely hard to get into first - to the point where i think it will snap someday - and sometimes shifts easily if i just move the car forward a smidgen. what's the deal and would that updated (bent stick) make any difference? is there anything else out there that would make shifting easier? please don't say i need a new gear (box?).

    thanks for all your help.

    karen
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    You need the head gasket set because other parts have to come off in order to replace the head gaskets, rocker covers, intake, and exhaust manifolds all have to be removed and you cannot reuse old gaskets once they have been compressed.

     As for supplying your own parts, a lot of garages are not comfortable with that some of the profit is built into supplying parts, usually if they agree to use your parts they will tack on extra cost to labour or in some other way.IE: a favourite way to this is shop supplies.

      Cheers Pat.
  • stevekstevek Member Posts: 362
    it is cold out there so I can not wash my car and I had some chips on the hood.

    So I T-boned and Audi, but was very carefull doing it so I only had 2K worth of damage and the Audi had over 6 grand. I get the hood repainted, wheel alignment and a car wash now, good deal.

    By the way I also made sure the police reports said it was the Audi's fault.
  • K9LeaderK9Leader Member Posts: 112
    Over the past several months I have noticed the odor of coolant on occasion with my 2000 OB Ltd. wagon (44K miles). But it was only occasionally, and I couldn't find any indication of a leak -- no puddles, no dried deposits, no noticeable lessening of the coolant level. Two different shops (one independent and one dealership) said they couldn't find anything.

    Last week, during the cold snap, the smell got stronger (but still intermittent) and was accompanied by smoke (or steam?). It tends to happen when the car is just warmed up, after being underway for 3 - 5 minutes, and is noticeable when I am stopped at a light (or to drop my daughter at the school bus). The smoke/steam seems to be coming from the front of the engine compartment (so I am somewhat relieved that it is probably not the head gasket under cylinder #4). I still can't find any obvious source. I'm now carefully watching the level in the overflow bottle -- filled it last night to the full line when cold and after drving to work this morning and letting it cool I see it is down about half an inch from the full line.

    I have an appointment at the dealership for next week, but if anyone can offer any advice or suggestions . . .
    Thanks!

    --K9Leader
    Newark, Delaware
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's not really a fair comparison, because the 'burban is not a performance model. At a minimum you should compare the Escalade with the hotter engine, or even the Porsche Cayenne turbo, the only SUV that could keep up.

    karen: I have a '98 also. If you haven't already, change the MT fluid, it's 75w90 gear oil. You just drain and refill, easy as an oil change.

    Consider using synthetic gear oil. I put some in my Miata and it's easier to shift when it's really cold out. Same with our old 626, that improved too. I haven't done my Forester yet, but will soon, at 60k miles.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Did they wax the wheels?? Sorry to hear about the accident. Hope your OK.

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ouch, hope you were OK.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Not so good a deal in my book I would rather have my car origional than accidented no matter how minor.

      Cheers Pat.
  • hayduke01hayduke01 Member Posts: 128
    My '02 Forester survived a hubcap to the windshield on I-25 with no visible damage.

    I had a small chip repaired, free of charge, at a local carwash. They offer a deal that at first sounded too good to be true: free repair, with my insurer picking up the tab. After turning down the offer several times I checked with my insurer and found out the deal was legit. The repair prevented the chip from turning into a crack and spreading, possibly saving me an expensive windshield replacement.

    Here on Colorado's Front Range windshield's pitting from the "sandblasting" is common. After three or four years bigger cracks, justifying replacement, have been almost welcome.

    I went through three windshields on the Civic I kept nine years, and two on the '87 GL I kept six years.

    I think my Forester windshield is at least as durable as the Civic windshields were.
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    My '02 Forester survived a hubcap to the windshield on I-25 with no visible damage.

    Wow! I'm impressed. That must have been one tough hubcap to take such a hit with no visible damage!
  • mike1257mike1257 Member Posts: 10
    My '01 Forrester seems to be developing lots pf problems now that it is over one month past the warranty (though still under 36K miles). I wrote recently concerning a very bad hesitation problem, and the dealer was able to fix that by replacing the air fuel (oxygen) ratio sensor - $187.00. Just days later, with the car running fine, the "check engine" light came on. According to the dealer, the code came up indicating it was the "fuel tank pressure sensor" - cost of $551 installed (no charge for the check-up) to be done next week, part on order.

    Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Any thoughts on whether SOA is responsive to its customers with expensive repairs on a car that's still new? I'm in the market now for a new car, and until recently was seriously considering another Subaru - now I'm having second (and third) thoughts.

    Mike
  • sfdriversfdriver Member Posts: 35
    The local dealers here want $17 to $25 for a gallon of Subaru Coolant. Is it really necessary to use it? My Forester is almost one year old, and the coolant is near the minimum line. I still have some green Honda coolant left from when I drove an Integra. It is also silicates-free, so they should be compatible, right? I'll be mixing with distilled water.

    When it's time to replace the coolant, should I buy the Subaru coolant and give it to my mechanic?

    TIA for your help!
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    out of warranty? Please call us and ask the Rep. to show me the case. I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out.

    Thanks.

    Patti
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