Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    heh, thanks Frank. so much for my fishing eh?

    -Colin
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    I have always agreed with what you said about the pinging that a car designed to run on 87 but needs to have 93 octane and still ping then something is wrong. My wife has been running 89-93 octane in her 99 forester L since we had a transmission problem 2 weeks after we had it. Coincidence???? But according to SOA and my dealer that this is normal and acceptable.
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    bit & anyone who's downloaded the Owner's Manual PDF from http://my.subaru.com :

    The MY00 Legacy manual consists of 15 files: Leg_toc.pdf and Leg_sect_1.pdf thru Leg_sect_14.pdf .

    Has anyone located the Owner's Manual in a single file? Multiple files are hard to search.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    No, but I could combine them into one with Acrobat Exchange. I couldn't host the resulting file though!

    Perhaps Patti can ask nicely on our behalf to make a single file available?

    -Colin
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    There is a nice Index in the pdf.

    bit
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Colin - How do you edit a pdf that has no edit as a security?

    bit
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    What was the trans problem?

    Regards,
    Frank
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    E-mail me the file, I'll host it.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Don't e-mail it, but once you get it together, e-mail me and I'll get it somehow from you and host it.

    -mike
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Re: miksmi Aug 8, 2001 10:24am
    --
    Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Because the owner's manuals were too large to fit into one file, it was necessary to put them into seperate [sic] files linked together. We will not be installing the owner's manuals on MySubaru.com in one file. If you are in need of an owner's manual, please contact us again requesting one. We would be happy to send you one. Best wishes!!

    John J. Mergen
    Subaru of America, Inc.

    YOUR ORIGINAL MAIL:

    Currently, the Owner's Manual PDF is in 15 files. This makes offline searching tedious. Can the Owner's Manual PDF be made available for download as a single file?

    Thank you.
    --

    too large to fit into one file

    Hmm, all the Flash nonsense on subaru.com isn't too cumbersome to download yet a 4.5MB PDF tucked away in a registration-restricted area isn't. I'm confused. <:-(

    BTW I have the manual, I just want a <B>simple way of searching the file (not multiple files). Am I the only one on the planet that likes to do things the easy way? ;)

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • dave226dave226 Member Posts: 22
    Patti just to answer your question, I'm using Sunoco 93 octane and to the best of my knowledge, Sunoco does have a summer blend. Last summer, there was some pinging but only during certain situations and loads. This summer, it's alot worse. Drove about 300 miles today and it pinged up most hills (at 65mi) and also during acceleration from a stop. Calling the dealer again tomorrow as it's been 2 weeks and I'm still waiting for them to set me up with the area rep. Will keep you all posted....Colin thanks for your post. It's most informative.

    Regards, Dave.
  • thammelthammel Member Posts: 3
    Hi Frank,

    Thanks so much for your tip on the valet mode for my 2000 Outback. I just reset it by opening the driver's door and pressing unlock/disarm for more than 2 secs. It worked fine! It's my wife's daily driver and has been bugging her! I'd checked all the workshop manuals and owner's manual and missed the valet mode note. Thanks again! Tom
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Thanks for saving me a long post! I checked for the answer and I was going to have to type it this morning!

    I'll ask/push about the OL manual and the answer you got.

    Thanks again!

    Patti
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    While I too hate this issue, it's going on here so...

    From what I am told, Caroline, the type of ping you are referring to is "normal". Ping, under load, that stops is being corrected by the knock sensor (that is its job).

    Dave - yours sounds more constant so I don't know if that makes it one that is not "normal".

    So you all know, I'm still trying to get better information for you all on this. I believe our engineers are going to explain the "non-detrimental" answer they have provided me. I'm not ignoring the issue, I'm only going by the answers I am getting/trying to get.

    Thanks,

    Patti
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If someone can combine them, I'll host the file, just let me know.

    -mike
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Re: miksmi Aug 8, 2001 1:46pm

    You're welcome, Patti. We don't want you to have to do all the work, ya know. :)

    Thanks for the offer, mike. I have Acrobat Acrobat 4.05 (the writer, not just the reader, a.k.a. Acrobat Reader.. talk about confusing nomenclature!) and couldn't figure out how to combine documents (didn't spend a lot of time on it though).

    Colin, care to give this a shot with Acrobat Exchange?

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    One issue with the pdf manuals is that they have the security setting set to "Change Document: Not Allowed". I am not all that familiar with Acrobat and only have the 3.2 version but from what I can tell you can not combine (or edit in any fashion) these documents.

    bit
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    officially, no. I think it's best to retract my offer although I have no earthly idea why Subaru would not offer a single file.

    -Colin
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Why not just host it with an HTML front end page linking to each segment of the total doc? It's not ideal but it's not a bad substitute either.

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    The problem with the tranny was.... we were driving back from taking our daughter for some entrance test for a school. We noticed that the cars behind us were flashing their headlights and there was fluid all over the back window. Turned on the wiper and it just smeared. Got home and and checked under the forester to see fluid just pouring out of the tranny and a terrible smell from the fluide burning. The fluid traveled all under the car and up on to the rear hatch and roof from turbulence. There was a lot of metal to metal noise. When my dealer looked at it they said a bad seal between the tranny and front diff was bad (so much for Subaru quality control and testing) and the diff fluid mixed with the tranny building up alot of pressure finally blowing out. All the dealer did was take it apart and put a new seal in and button it all up. Was there any damage they really didn't look to hard. But ever since then the engine pings under mild load in both summer and winter no matter what type of gas and or octane (mpg went down to 14-16 in city and about 20 highway after this) and there is even a rattling upon deacceleration, a heavy metalic pinging sound.
    Apparently the 'knock sensor' isn't working. By the way when I stop in at the dealer for parts the service manager suddenly diappears, we have become a thorn to them about this issue.
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Well, for some reason the version I posted is a little flaky so I pulled it. But to reiterate, the manual already has a link to all the sections in the Index. It works just fine other than if someone wants to do a "search" or "find" of the whole manual. If you want to check it out you can go to:

    http://my.subaru.com/formslogin.asp


    And you can download the whole thing for easier and quicker access. It works great from my hard drive.


    bit

  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Just noticed yesterday that my H4 OB started having a very slight whine at idle when warm. Kinda low pitch that I have heard some power steering systems sound like on other cars. Doesn't change pitch when I turn the wheel. Anyone else notice this? Wonder if the hot temps (100F) in NY are causing this. Will check into this further, but, any feedback would help.

    Posted also in OB section so excuse the double.

    Thanks,
    Greg
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Wow, what a mess. What I was thinking is that the torque converter might not be locking/unlocking correctly. If it were locked when it wasn't supposed to be, it would be sort of like lugging a MT, maybe causing the pinging.

    Does the car creep more than it used to, when in gear and stopped but with no brakes? This could also indicate a change in the converter.

    The knock sensor only works within a relatively small range. It won't adjust enough to stop something abnormal.

    Regards,
    Frank
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Is it possibly the electric fan coming on? I have noticed mine more recently, and the noise is similar to what you describe.

    Regards,
    Frank
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Hmmm, good thought and maybe but I don't hear the rushing air sound the fan(s) usually make. Does sound like power steering. When I get home tonight, I will pop the hood and take a listen. Fluids should be good, but I will check again. BTW, temp in OB is reading 100 - 104F! Too hot for me, probably typical for some of you in the sunbelt. Think snow, think snow, think snow.

    Greg
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    When my fans come on all I hear is the drone.

    Here in MA my Forester read 106 when I left work, of course it settled out to the real temp of only 98 when I started moving. The dew point is 70!! I agree, it is too hot and sticky for me too!

    Great timing too. I need to go for surgery for a deviated septum tomorrow, and spend the whole weekend with my nose full of gauze, breathing through my mouth. O-boy!

    Go Patriots!

    Regards,
    Frank
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684

    I too have sustained pinging (that is - my car does). We were on vacation last week and the car continued to ping in the warm weather. We were in Lassen National Park driving up to the summit and the car was pinging like crazy at around 2000 - 2500 rpm. Everytime the transmission downshifted and the revs went higher the pinging went away. We were using a mix of national brand gas - you use what's available in the rural towns of N. California.


    The pinging was nothing new. Anytime the weather is warm the car pings. The weird thing was the shaking at idle we've been experiencing since the MAF sensor was replaced. We live at around 60ft elevation and the car shakes at idle. It is especially noticeable when the weather is cooler. We did not experience the shaking at idle when the car was at higher elevations. Most of our vacation was at 4000 ft - 8500 ft elevation and the car did not shake.


    Cobb tuning has a good article on Subaru's Intake system design, but I still think we have an additional problem with the new MAF sensor, since the old one was not a problem.

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    re: shaking at idle

    There's a very good chance you have a leak some where in your air inlet plumbing. If you're a DIYer, check everything from the MAF sensor back for a good snug fit. Also check that there are no loose or disconnected hoses of any sort--vacuum, crankcase breather, whatever.

    If you want to simply go back to the dealer and complain, you can do that too. It is very doubtful that there's anything wrong with the MAF sensor itself though, what you describe is a more typical symptom of an air leak behind the MAF, which leads to unmetered air entering the throttle body. This makes the car run rough, because the computer is already leaning things out to a massive extent at idle. (20:1 - 30:1 a/f ratio)

    -Colin
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    Thanks for the advice Colin.

    Would that account for the difference in shaking depending on elevation? The idle speed is smooth in all situations... shaking only occurs at low elevation though. I've looked to see if anything is loose, but haven't seen anything. There was no shaking with the old MAF sensor. Could they have installed it incorrectly or messed up the air intake plumbing somehow?

    -Eric
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Eric,

    The MAF sensor is between the fender-mounted air filter box and the throttle body, right after the filter box actually.

    Hard to say what they did or didn't do, but when a new problem arises one always considers recent work.

    -Colin
  • anthony_chenganthony_cheng Member Posts: 12
    I am considering changing the oil/oil filter on my 2001 VDC wagon. I have never changed oil before so I have a lot of questions.

    How do I remove the drain plug (will an open ended, adjustable wrench work?)?

    The manual states that I should replace the sealing washer with new one. Where can I purchase these sealing washers? Are these generic parts or do I need to purchase Subaru washers?

    Oil filter - any caveats about choosing a generic filter vs the Subaru part?

    Oil filter wrench - are these generic parts as well? Any considerations when I shop for this?

    What about viscosity? I live in the Bay Area, California...I would consider the area I live in to be desert-like. The manual recommends different numbers for viscosity...

    30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20w-50...how do I choose between all of these?
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    1. I wouldn't use an adjustable wrench, too much chance of rounding the nut. A long box end socket would be better (BTW the nut is often over tight so be prepared).
    2. The washer is from Subaru.
    3. Most people seem to agree that you should avoid Fram. The Subaru filter is made by Purolator so it should be ok.
    4. Any oil filter wrench is ok, but you may not need on.
    5. I'm not certain about the H6, but I would guess 10-30 as your most likely choice.

    Ross
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Hi Anthony,

    First, let me compliment the accurate title of your post. Unfortunately, many don't bother with an accurate title.

    Adding to Ross's good suggestions,

    1. Locate a re-use or recycling facility (check with your municipality) and two empty 1-gallon containers. Milk jugs work but they're flimsy and when the ambient temperature drops, partially filled jugs will collapse, crease, crack, and leak.
    2. Use disposable gloves, available at a hardware or auto store.
    3. Use a 17mm socket to remove the drain plug. As Ross said, from the factory, it's on tight and requires a bit of effort to loosen.

    Per vdchawk "Subaru Outback VDC (Station Wagons Board)" Aug 4, 2001 7:37pm , the H-6 3.0l engine uses the same filter as the SVX engine, Subaru part# 5165109. Confirm this with your dealer.

    Here are oil change instructions. Also read your owner's manual (it has a diagram of the drain plug location). Don't overfill the engine; use a partial bottle if necessary. I fill per the manual specification, no more, no less; then check on a level surface. It's always right on the money.

    Edmunds oil change, video << .
    Impreza oil change, photo << Tatsuki Matsuyama .
    Learn2 oil change << .
    eHow oil change << .

    Once you confirm the VDC oil filter part number, please post it here to help someone else.

    Cheers,

    ..Mike in Maryland (location added per suggestion in the VDC topic)

    ..Mike

  • evilizardevilizard Member Posts: 195
    I'd stick with the Subaru Filters. Someone once said that it was 18mm crush ring. If cost is a concern I would try one of the internet sites and just stock up on filters and crush rings (your auto tranny plug uses it too). The Subaru branded filters are not significantly more expensive than your generic knock offs. The H-6 filter is a different filter than the H-4. Auto parts stores are not always keen on this little detail.

    The key to selecting the right oil is ambient temp. Hotter temp = Thicker oil. I think that 10w-50 would do anything you could throw at it. It doesn't make that much of a difference though. Putting in heavier oil is not going to damage your engine or anything and the bay area doesn't have temperature extremes that would push lighter oil beyond its limit. Some arguments could be made for optimal gas milage but I don't know if it makes that much difference. The critical thing is to change the stuff regularly.
    You might consider synthetic after 8K or so miles.

    Before you even get at the oil system you will need to remove that bottom tray. You'll need something like a screwdriver for that deed. Get a LARGE oil drain pan. The oil comes out in a nice ballistic arc (while little bits drip). Don't forget your magnet to fish the drain plug out of the oil drain pan after you drop it in.
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    So does the H6 not have a removable access cover for the oil filter like the H4 in the Legacys? This is the small cover with 3 snap out pins that simple slides out rather than removing the complete plastic tray?

    bit
  • evilizardevilizard Member Posts: 195
    Yup, that's whats on there.
  • dragonfly238dragonfly238 Member Posts: 7
    Brekke, evillizard, rangerron7 - thanks for the engine vibration info. I'll ask about the engine mounts and if that doesn't work maybe I can come up with the $$$ to replace the car. Cheers Dragonfly
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    OK, as I mentioned last week - I noticed a low whiring, whining, whatever noise at idle on my H4 OB. I checked all the fluids and they are fine. Sound is coming from the tranny area underneath and the best way to describe it is it sounds like a fuel pump. Does anyone know where the pump is located? Typically it's by the gas tank. I am wondering if this is normal, and I just haven't noticed it before. Anyway, I see my dealer on Thursday. BTW, also noticed heavy "buildup" on the tranny pan - appears to be undercoating. Any thoughts on either? Thanks.

    Greg
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    I can hear a whine form mine. Subtle but noticeable... more so on my 01 than on the 00.

    bit
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Where does the noise come from? Underneath by the tranny? Your making me feel better.

    Greg
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Never really sought out the location. But from the driver's seat it seems like it is coming from the right rear. High pitched whine that doesn't vary at all. Sounds like other electric fuel pumps I've heard so I never thought about it much.

    bit
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: the cladding on the Forester L is just like the VehiX, then, i.e. grey all the way through. Mine was gashed in that accident and you could see the solid coloring.

    Colin: thanks for the informative summary. Susan, over in the OB boards, has been working with her dealer on her "pinging" engine, and it sounds like it might just be the non-destructive pre-ignition you mention.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Is the forester cladding? or body panels? On the VX it's actually the panels IIRC.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    bit's got good ears or knows that the fuel pump is right rear. ;) the Subaru OE unit is pretty quiet really... aftermarket units like Holley and Walbro are much more noticeable, even the 'small' ones for a Subaru application.

    i've never heard anything, but my car has been a bit noisy since... oh 2000 miles or so when I installed a catback exhaust.

    -Colin
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    That's what I thought. OK then, what can be making a "fuel pump" type noise, but, is located near the tranny. Again, low "hum" at idle which doesn't change pitch with gear selection, ac on, lights on, etc.?

    Greg
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Could be some kind of enviro-pump-like thing? Just a thought.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: cladding (thick, though) on the doors, solid panels for the front and rear bumpers.

    I love them. They are like teflon - easy to clean, hard to get dirty or scratch.

    -juice
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    Hi All and welcome back Juice!
    I've got a quick question. With the windows down, I hear a definite "click" when the trans shifts. It is particularly noticeable during the 2nd to 3rd shift but is also somewhat noticable during the 1st to 2nd shift. It is most noticeable when starting out for the first 6 to 10 shifts, then it is not quite as loud.
    I mentioned this to the dealer mechanic and he gave me the usual 'It's normal'. Trans performance is fine otherwise. I've got about 10K on the speedo.
    Does the esteemed panel think I have anything to be concerned about??
    Thanks!
    Ron
  • 99gs99gs Member Posts: 109
    Your Subie insight has been sorely missed!

    Jack - Ohio
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ron: you have to blip the throttle to match revs when you shift a manual.

    Kidding, I know yours is an auto. Have you checked your ATF level? Probably.

    If so I'd ask the dealer to document the complaint, just for future reference. At 30k, I would have the ATF flushed and refilled, whether or not you have the problem. It's a cheap service and should add life to your tranny.

    -juice
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