Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

subaru_team

Hey all! I was just given this link and I think it's pretty nice. Try using your speaker and, notice how you can take it for a spin by holding your mouse over the car.

http://bzproductions.com/buzzmail/subaru.com/llbean/

Let me know what you think! I know Bob, your PC and flash don't get along - Sorry.

Patti

paisan

Interesting, I'd be shocked if a little old lady pulled her caddy out of the woods I'd think she'd need a wrecker to do that.



-mike

nygreg

I have used M___l, 93 in my new OB with no smell so far (4 tanks). Will try Hess tomorrow and let you know.

Went to the dealer today......oil change (@ 1400 miles), two keys made and touch-up paint. All for $38 with very courteous service. Very nice!

In addition, got my new toys yesterday - hood deflector, diff protector, wheel locks and oil filter (no gasket). After a wash this weekend the tools come out. Fun time. Ahh, the subaru experience.

-Greg

nygreg

I always worry about Bambie coming out with his 2 friends. Do those little deer hornes work?

-Greg

locke2c

Frank-- to me 115MPH is not so different from 80MPH in the right car, and I often do just under 80 when the posted limit is 70.

Negligence will kill you much faster in a car than speeding attentively.

There's a whole 'nuther topic to debate this though, in News & Views. Of course I've long since stopped reading there... Anyway, I'm done now.

-Colin

subearu

Some blends (especially here in SE Wisconsin) have more ethanol in the lower grades to promote a more oxygenated blend. I typically fill up 'Bear' with Amoco 87 (the blue pump), but have also used Mobil and Shell. My wife uses mostly Shell in her Saturn, but has also used Mobil and Amoco. Neither of our cars have had a sulfur smell on any of the gas we've used (knocking on wood!).

Perhaps NY uses a different ethanol blend (or something equivalent) and your car is more sensitive to it?

-Brian

p0926

Patti- "Net congestion...please wait" message = Not a good sign. :-(

hypov

Patti - If it's the "M" word I should stay away, then "Ex_on" is out too (Peg and Tony got married). Haven't come across any "S"________"O" in my nabe (got to really keep those two letters far apart). ;-)
Greg/Brian - If you're O.K. with the "M" word, then it must be the "watering hole" I frequent. Greg, let me know what you think of HESS.
In the meantime, I'll go see if there's any "S"_______
"O" around and experiment the variety out there.

ateixeira

Cool site, Patti. I like the VR views you can get. Note that the Bean has the 4th grab handle, for the driver, which I didn't know until just now. I added one myself to Sandy.

Greg: get photos if you can. Particularly the bug deflector install.

I'd ask the dealer for a gasket - it should've had one in there. All the ones I'd get from Darlene did.

-juice

originalbitman

Why does that Titanium LL Bean look so low? Almost like a GT.

Juice - how difficult was it to mount the grab handle?
bit

ateixeira

Two screws. I happenend to have them in my spare parts jar, too. The covers pop right off.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1400062&a=12183852&p=44300555&f=0

-juice

bluesubie

My '97 OBS does best on Sunoco and when I'm on trips I use Amoco. Getty and Hess seem sluggish. As Brian mentioned fuel is reformulated from region to region. So everyone's mileage may vary.

DaveC - Noticed you work for a bank and I'm wondering if it's where I used to work. Is there also an office in J. City?

Dennis

locke2c

Usually if you smell sulfur it's exactly that. I would not suspect other additives to be at fault, simply that the higher octane gas you tried had lower sulfur than the 87 that is producing the smell.

Change brands. There's no guarantee you will be changing to a fuel with lower sulfur, since that's dependent on the refinery, but at least you have a chance.

-Colin

hypov

Guess it all boils down to experimenting the different brands of fuel.
Wouldn't someone had come up with a kit to sample fuel for sulphur before purchasing it at the pump. Any Chemist out there?

Dennis - First Union? No. If you're refering to Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi, was there 'bout 20 yrs ago as one of the sons in a Father and sons team (3rd generation). Your profession wouldn't by any chance be Trade Finance?

bluesubie

Sunoco touts their Ultra 94 as having less sulfur. Mighty pricey though, especially in NYC. You'll have to drive out to NJ for Ultra 94 Wednesdays (6 cents off)

Yes, BTM and yes Trade Finance. How'd you guess? Working for the Brits now.
Dennis

subaru_team

Thanks for the LOL post. I kind of cracked up when I read it and now folks in the dept. think I've gone off the deep end!

Patti

paisan

I too make websites... http://isuzu-suvs.com http://iace.com and although mine are text loaded, the subie ones are too graphic intensive...

-mike

pattim3

Just another thought. Maybe contact (e-mail) that major fuel co.'s and ask about their fuels in their area?

Patti

tlima

For you do-it-yourselfers: I changed the oil in my '01 Forester this past weekend, careful to put in 4 quarts, and then add to the "full" mark with less than another 1/2. I ran the engine in between to ensure I was getting an accurate reading. Anyhow, anytime I check the oil now, it is way above the full line. I am missing something here?

Also, when I went to remove the oil filter, some drops of oil was on the bottom of the filter, indicating leaking at the o-ring. After putting on a new OEM filter, I checked today and again found a few dropw of oil on the bottom of the filter. Filter was tightened 3/4 turn only. Note that there are no drips on the engine cover.

I've changed oil many times before on other cars and full was full and no oil seepage around filter. What gives?

-Tony

paisan

Maybe the oil was real cold when you poured it in? we had a guy in the Isuzu area do a A/T fluid change in the middle of the winter, and came to find out that there was way too much fluid when spring came around (and his tranny was acting funny)

-mike

hypov

Patti - did that. Now is wait and see what they say.
Good to know I'd lighten up someone's work day.

Dennis - the ~10 mile trip to NJ, getting tied up in traffic and then to pay the toll (what is it? $4) would not equate a saving for me.
I only know of 2 Dennis's from BTM, both Trade Finance. 1 when I was there, and the other I interviewed not too long ago.

originalbitman

Been there. It is difficult to get an accurate reading as engine temp and level make a big dif. Also, the manual calls for 4.2 quarts.
bit

megawatt1

I have also changed the oil and filter and have found that the level is above the full mark after running the engine. I had added only the amount recommended in the manual.

Has anyone had experience with the following website?

http://www.subaruparts.com/

I am interested in getting the following.

(Do these prices seem reasonable? for '00) OB

Tweeter kit $72.16

Rear Gate Bar $35.10

Cargo Net - Wagon $27.26

Full Front End Cover $93.56

Also does anyone have the Subaru part no. for the oil filter for a 2000 Outback? (the above site needs the part number to order Subaru parts)

Thanks,

Ralph

bluesubie

Dave C. - Must be a coincidence. I'm sure I didn't interview with you for BTM. Maybe the name Dennis to Trade Finance is what the name Dave is for this forum.

Tony - Oil readings for me are trickier in the 2.5 (DOHC) than the 2.2. I think it's best to wait 30 minutes or so for a more accurate reading. Also experienced oil filter leaks and tightened it slightly more than 3/4 turn. It was worse with 5W30 M1.

Ralph - I had a great experience with subaruparts.com. They've grown like crazy over the past few months and some people have experienced delays. Others still get their parts within a few days. Don't have the filter number on me but I'm sure you could find it. They're the same for all Subes.
edit: Go onto subaruparts and click on accessories. Then click search and do a search with "oil filter".

Dennis

kate5000

Filter for my Loyale is a different part as compared to Forester's filter

bluesubie

I should've said for current Subes. :-)
Dennis

hypov

Tony/Dennis - I don't change oil myself or anything myself when it comes to anything in and around the engine. I'm one lousy "do-it-yourselfer" - heck, I screwed up changing the airfilter. Anyway, oil filter leak, I usually observe the service tech whilst they change the oil and filter, and I noticed that they apply this creamy substance (forgot what it's called) equivalent to the plumper's tape and it works good - no leaks.

Dennis - if you were there in the 80's when in was still Tohgin (D Vallari, M. Ramos, W. Colins, M. Carcana, M. Rice, J. Woods...) then, hey, "it's a small world after all, it's a small small world". I'm now with (I don't think I would get into trouble for this - hope not) Bayerische Hypotheken und Vereinsbank AG.
And you thought "Outback 3.0 H6 VDC" was long.

originalbitman

All SOHC 2.5 MY2000-01 take the oil filter part #15208AA060. Don't forget to order the crush washer part# 11126AA000. I think the are $.35. I have had very good service from SubaruParts.com complete with email confirmation and shipping within a day of my order delivered within 5 working days.
I agree with Ken regarding the gasket (as in the manual) and I have found 2/3rds turn gets mine tight and leak free.

bit

kens

Tony,

Are you checking your oil with the engine cold? I find I get the most precise readings in the morning when the engine has cooled overnight and the oil has been given a chance to drain into the oilpan.

With the oil filter, did you remember to put a thin film of oil onto the rubber gasket? 3/4 turn after the gasket touches the oil drain should be enough to seal it.

Ken

bluesubie

The oil and air filter is pretty much the only DIY that I do. I also coat the filter rubber washer with some oil.

Dave, I was only there from 98-00. My boss was D. Villari (yes, IOD). Prior to that I was at UBS for 9 years. Before that, I was just a kid. I'm almost certain there are some ex-UBS'ers at Vereins (or is that Handels(sp?)?).

Dennis

toca

Hi folks. I have brought my OB in to the dealer every December since I purchased the car to complain/document the increasing engine noise upon startup. This past winter it seemed to get worse. Approaching 60K miles I decided to bring it to the dealer again on 5/7 and, well, haven't got it back yet. At first they were going to replace the shortblock with a new, or rebuilt one, but since they are back ordered (I wonder why?) and no other dealer around the country has one, they are going to rebuild it with new parts (bearings, pistons, crankshaft, wrist pins. They told me the cylinder heads were not damaged so they are going this route. My questions are: if it were your car which method would you preferred? Will rebuilding the shortblock be just as effective? Thanks.

AZ

kens

AZ,

What was the noise you were experiencing and what was the dealer's diagnosis?

It's strange that the shortblocks would be so backordered since the Phase I engine should be able to take the current Phase II shortblock.

I would be comfortable with either route as long as the dealer will warranty their work.

Ken

nygreg

Just ordered from subaruparts.com. Took about two weeks to get the parts (in NY). Good prices. I purchased a hood deflector, diff protector, wheel locks and oil filter. The filter did not come with a gasket and I ordered it under the Legacy part of the site. I called about 1 week after the order to check on it and "the guy" named on the site (Scott?) answered and was very polite and easy to work with. Shipping was $13 ground. I would recommend them.

To all: Filled up again today (tank 5, 1500 miles) and calculated 25 mpg! so far it is 23, x, 23.8, 24, and 25 mpg in order. Put Hess in today for the smell test.

Good talk last night,
-Greg

subaru_team

well - this one is news to me. I'm not aware of any shortage at all. That being said, overhauling the block should be no problem for a trained technician. Heck, I even did it in training and it ran fine!!

Thanks!

Patti

toca

Ken,
The noise started as a light tappet noise that would dissipate after 10 minutes or so, but became louder and constant over time. To me it was similar to all the other piston slap symptoms I have read amoung the various subaru boards.

I find it odd there are none to be had as well. Either there is a lot of shortblock replacements going on (wouldn't surprise me) or they really didn't try to hard to find one.

Thanks for your input.

toca

sent you an email (to the webmaster email address) with my case number. I'd be curious why I was told shortblocks are on back order and no dealers have any in stock.

Thanks.

kens

AZ,

I had piston slap on my Phase I too, but it was remedied by swapping out just the pistons. The problem, as you may have guessed, was the skirtless pistons. I wonder why the dealer is replacing the short block.

In any event, mine engine has been running fine since the repair about 40K miles ago.

Ken

megawatt1

Thanks for your input.
Mike - especially for the part numbers.
Greg - I think I will order the wheel locks also, well worth the piece of mind for $18

Does the tweeter kit make a big difference?

BTW - I am thinking of putting a remote starter - anyone have any experience? I have installed one once before, pretty strait forward, just time consuming, but wondering if there is anything I should be aware of on the Sube.

Ralph

locke2c

Ken, 40K miles ago? What was that, a year and a half ago... You drive a whole lot, in any case. ;-)

-Colin

hypov

Ralph,
Not on a Manual. I remember reading on the I-Club board where one of the member's WRX drove away... you guessed it, no one on-board.

kens

Colin,

Yep, I average almost 20K miles a year. I would have owned my Forester for three years at the end of May and I currently have 55K on my odo. Most of it's highway miles -- 60 mile roundtrip commute on highway 280 every day.

Ken

originalbitman

Let's see you must be commuting from SF to Silicon Valley.

bit

kens

Close. San Mateo to Santa Clara to be exact. Can't complain though. 280 is one of the prettiest major highways around here and traffic moves well (at least going in my direction).

Ken

originalbitman

That's for sure. I broke-in my GT on 280 and Canada Road. What a great rid along the reservoir and watershed. And 101 sucks beyond belief. I live in Burlingame.

hammersley

Is 280 the one that goes thru Newman? Or the wind farm(s)?
Friend of mine lives there... just trying to recall the geography... indeed a nice road!

Cheers!
Paul

kens

Paul,

I think you're describing highwya 580 which runs east-west. Highway 280 runs north-south between San Francisco and San Jose.

Highway 280 runs right along the San Andreas fault. For a good stretch, it parallels the San Francsico watershed -- an undeveloped stretch of land on the Penninsula. The fog in the summertime just hangs right over the hills to the west of the freeway -- very scenic.

Here's an aerial view:

http://sepwww.stanford.edu/oldsep/joe/fault_images/FT02.3.gif

Ken

tlima

I'll check oil level again when it is cold. Maybe this engine/oil pan/dipstick configuration is very dependent upon temp when getting an accurate reading. Other cars only changed a little between hot/cold.

I did fill the filter completely and put a film of oil on the gasket. It is possible that I had some oil on the lip outside the gasket which given heat and air speed, spills out over the lip.
The seepage oil seemed very clear so maybe that is it. We'll see.

Thanks again.

francophile

I spent 4+ months in the Bay Area last summer. 280 really is a beautiful road, and 101 really does suck :-) Naturally my commute (San Mateo to Redwood City) was on 101 :-(

That pretty resevoir is actually a really, really big, really, really long crack in the crust of the earth otherwise known as the San Andreas Fault. So, it's pretty and it gives you something to think about too.

Cheers,
-wdb

originalbitman

Especially when you live about a mile away from it like I do.

bit

jackleung

Every weekday in rush hour is horrible if U are going the wrong direction (north at morning & south at night). 280 is good but the route is a lot longer from bay area to SF.