Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd check ASAP. Mine is a dry, paper filter. A wet foam filter would allow sand to stick far worse than on mine. Though my intake is more exposed without the silencer.

    They can be washed and reused, so you're good to go.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Caroline,

    I'd just relax about the clicking and if it becomes more apparent you've got a lot of warranty ahead of you-- especially if it is something in the powertrain.

    Sorry that we didn't have an explanation...

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

    Did your intake stay dry during all the splashing around at Pine Barrens? Just curious if the desnorkusing had an effect.

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    My RS would not have crossed that creek, even if I raised the ride height above its current (low) level.

    I'd be sucking water for sure. Water out of the exhaust isn't a problem if it entered the exhaust under drop throttle. But if it entered the intake... bent valves, rods, etc. Bad news.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No water in the intake. I think the sand entered gradually, little by little.

    After each water crossing (slow, then faster) I popped the hood to see how it did. The first time it was dry. The 2nd there was some splash of water in the engine bay, but not much.

    I cut a hole in the plastic bottom cover to reach the oil filter, so mine is a little less protected. I removed the silencer, too, and the hole in the fender wasn't sealed because the tape had come off. If it were properly sealed I doubt the sand would have made it that far.

    The XT6 seemed unharmed (stalled early enough?), but we were surprised. A Trooper on the last trip bent a piston rod, though somehow it was still able to run in a limp mode.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The key is to go at a moderate pace. Fast enough you won't get stuck, slow enough that you don't have the intake wide open like a straw guzzling in any water that splashes. The problem with the XT6 guy and the Trooper guy last time, was that they both were going through at WOT, and thus the intake acted like a straw. The XT6 survived cause we pulled the plugs and spat the water out. The Trooper just re-started, and that's when the rods bent :( Cause water doesn't compress.

    -mike
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I came home from work this evening and opened up the air cleaner to look for sand in the filter, expecting a bunch. I didn't find any to speak of; however I did manage to get a small down feather (duck or goose, most likely) sucked into the intake at some point - not necessarily during the Pine Barrens run.

    For the record, I'm running an oiled foam Amsoil drop-in panel filter in the stock SOHC Phase II airbox, no desnorkusing.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If he had pulled his plugs (in the Trooper), I bet it would have been fine.

    Glad yours was clean, Ed. Maybe I got more sand because I had also driven on the beach a few weeks ago. I'm sure the de-silencering and the hole in the bottom cover for the oil filter contributed, too.

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

    A while back you mentioned you prefer Castrol Syntec. What's your opinion on it vs. Mobil 1? Which would you choose if they were both the same price and why?

    Ken (getting close to another oil change)
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I use Syntec, my dad uses Mobil 1. ;-)

    If they were the same price I'd say Mobil 1. At the stores in my immediate area, that's not the case and I use 10w30 Syntec as a result. :-D

    I might use Mobil 1 or even AMSOil in a higher performance vehicle. In fact I use Mobil 1 in my Ninja. 10w40 I think?

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ah, that makes sense then. Around here, most auto shops sell the two for the same price.

    So, how are you enjoying the bike? Have you completely stopped auto-xing?

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I would hesitate to use the word 'completely' but yes, truth is that I haven't been to a single event since mid-June.

    Enjoying the bike quite a bit, but there's probably only a month or so of riding left this year. Maybe a bit more if we get an indian summer... Also been out on the dirtbike a few times, a guy my dad knows has a track on his 80 acre property. Loads of fun, but a good way to get injured. 26 isn't old, but I don't want to think about trying to get to the server room (1/8-1/4 mile walk) if I broke an ankle or something like that. Still, I think I'll look for a used dual-sport in the spring. Probably won't buy one but I'll look. ;-)

    -Colin
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Just out of curiosity, what do they get for a qt. in other parts of the country?

    I pay about $3.75 at a wholesale club when bought in a 6 pack. A couple of times a year, 1 or another discount store will have it for about the same price.

    When I first started using it I used to get it for $2.59 to $2.79, and Mobil offered some decent rebates, but then it got popular. I should have kept my mouth shut! :)

    Regards,
    Frank in MA
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The local Pep Boys in San Jose, CA stocks both Mobil 1 and Castrol Syntec at $4.49. Blends go for $2.29 and dino for half of that.

    I'm going to Costco to get the 5 quart jugs.

    Ken
  • robgrantrobgrant Member Posts: 5
    We have a 90 Legacy Wagon with 250 000Km's. The rear struts are starting to rub on the inside of the strut towers when we hit a bump. The struts have been changed (20 000Km ago).

    Any idea of where I should start to look? Suspension bushings? Strut mount?

    Also have 00 Legacy wagon- love it.

    -Rob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    for the synthetics in NYS.

    -mike
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I needed an oil change anyway, so I thought I would have it done a bit early (22,200km.). I continue to be impressed both with my Forester and with the dealer. There were a couple of minor surprises. A parking light bulb had to be replaced. Brake pads have more than 85% life left. This is a major & pleasant surprise since the pads and rotors had to be replaced on my 5 sp Golf ~ every 40k km and Rufus is an AT. I'm very conscious of using the brakes more than I did with the MT.

    They did a full 4 wheel alignment. It was within specs but they did adjust all of the tiny "offs". The other major surprise is that they charged less than I authorized. They noticed that the tread wear was very even so they didn't bother to rotate the tires and reduced the charges accordingly (the tires had already been rotated twice in their free service promotions). Their 24k package (15k miles) contained only a few frills and the price seemed reasonable. I knew I didn't need the rotation but decided to not quibble. I really appreciate it when a company does the little things to make the customer happy rather than grab those few extra dollars. The labour charges worked out to be just over $100 US and they finished the job 1/2 hour early. Don Docksteader seems to find ways to keep me a happy camper.

    Ross
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Ross, Silvius is very envious that Rufus is being taken care of so nicely! if I drive up to Vancouver area, will they service him up there?
    :-)
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You bet! They'll even give him a good bath. Gee, Rufus and Silvius could go out and play on the logging roads together then go to the spa afterward. ;~) Joining us on Thursday chat?

    Ross
  • stevekstevek Member Posts: 362
    Took my 2001 Legacy GT in for 30K service and the dealer insisted changing the manual tranny fluid. She said although it is not on Subaru's list it is on "their" list. I declined. Subaru list the changing of the brake fluid at 30k, I have them do it (sinceI have an extanded warranty) but I think it maybe an overkill. The tranny fluid change strikes me as funny, since this dealer never tried to push any extra work on me before.
  • FrankMcFrankMc Member Posts: 228
    and he was talking about brake fluid. Brake fluid absorbs water and he stressed that you should change it often, he wanted you to change it every 2 years no matter what the mileage is. I'm a believer in preventive maintenance (pay me now or pay me later)

    Frank
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I used to own a couple of dual sports. First a Yamaha XT125, then a Honda XL250. The latter was quite fun, with a 6 speed and the ability to ride right up a flight of stairs. They are lighter than their sport bike counterparts, too, but just don't handle nearly as well.

    My Forester was recalled for the brake master cylinder, so I have newer fluid in there already. It does put me slighty off schedule, though.

    I did the tranny fluid on my Miata, because it's fairly easy. Found out the previous owner had already done it (he said he had, but had no receipt). But I swapped the rear diffy fluid, and it was like mud. Just nasty. Glad I did that.

    It's a 1993, but it had only 27k miles, so it is possible for gear oil to require a change that early.

    -juice
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    He's not trying to foist unneeded repairs on you. You spent a lot of money on a new vehicle, and he is trying to agressively maintain it for you. Heat and metal shavings can ruin a transmission quickly. Changing the fluid regularly will help minimize the problem. Tranny repairs are expensive.

    Manual tranny needs a balance of friction and lubrication. It's a fairly inexpensive repair since on a manual it's like an oil change. Drain the old out and replace with new.

    I do it on my manuals every 30,000 after having to replace a manual transmission. No problems since.
  • zscottiezscottie Member Posts: 23
    (See prev. msg. # 3014 for further info...)

    I had my local Subaru dealer look at my power antenna. They determined the motor was tripped, and a new antenna motor was needed. The motor would be $200, and labor about $90-100. I'm pondering two things:

    1 - find the part on online (I tried Subaruparts.com - $138), order it, and have a local mechanic (non-dealer) install the part. Any recommendations for Subaru parts? Used, and rebuilt places, too?

    2 - Disconnect the motor altogether, and leave the antenna in the "up" position. Any ideas of how to get to it? Information on the internet to do so?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The antennae on my Miata broke, and I just got a fixed rubber model for something like $13 at Wal Mart. Great reception, it's flexible so it will not break again, and costs a whole lot less than a power one. Install took an hour, by myself.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Are just a pain in the butt especially in winter, Just extend the antenna pull the trim panel in the trunk and unclip the wire harness the antenna will stay up and reception will be unaffected.

    Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    No problems with the antenna yet.

    -mike
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    I just had a new power antenna put in under my extended warranty on my 98 a few months ago and I managed to sneak a look at the invoice the dealer was going to send to Subaru for the repair while the cashier was ringing things up. It was only $175 and it did take them over an hour. Even with a lower than normal labor rate your $300 seems high unless the parts are cheaper under warranty too.
    A fixed one may be the way to go.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The quote for the Miata's antennae approached a whopping $500! I could not believe it!

    Pat is right - there should be two wires: one for power and one for the reception. The one for the reception should be a fat, round wire, with a plug similar to what stereos use. Leave that one, disconnect the other.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Honda,s power antenna is also over $500 unbelievable when an aftermarket one can be had for around $100.

    Still stick by origional assertion that they are a pain in the butt why do you think Honda and Subaru have stopped installing them in their cars.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The in-glass antennae seems to make the most sense. I'm sure it helps aerodynamics, and it's not likely to break (Subaru puts it on a rear-side window).

    -juice
  • evilizardevilizard Member Posts: 195
    I think the In glass antenee is great, keeps the lines clean on the outside, nothing to break or get stuck on a branch. It also means I have a useful feature on my subaru that people with high dollar lux cars do not. I'm just wondering why more automakers don't do it.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I suspect they aren't more widely used because the early one's provided extremely poor reception and when they fail it requires replacement of the window. The first one's I know of were in the FRONT windshield necessitating extremely fine wires. BTW the receptions in my Forester S is the strongest I've ever experienced as I proved to myself during my walkabouts this summer.

    Ross
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Dennis, I suspect that what was replaced for $175 was the antenna mast which is replacable on most OEM. antenna,s.

    Check out the cost of a complete antenna at your subaru parts dept. to verify this you will be shocked at the cost.

    Actually the motor gives very little trouble it is the plastic teeth on the antenna mast that srip on the end of the mast is a plastic ribbon about 2 to 3 feet long with teeth and this is what runs the mast up and down, the mast starts to stick and the teeth strip, usually all the dealer replaces is the mast.

    Another big problem with power antenna,s is water gets down inside the mast tube and rots out the iside of the antenna if anybody has a msyterious water leak in the trunk suspect that the antenna has rotted out on the inside.

    I found this to be a source of a trunk leak on my 93 Accord wagon I have since heard of it on other power antenna equipped vehicles as well.

    Cheers Pat.
  • gof4gof4 Member Posts: 22
    I just had the 2 filters replaced for the first time at the dealer. At 7500 miles they were pretty dirty. The dealer charged $39.95 for the filters & $36.00 labor to install. Has anyone tried installing the filters themself? Difficult?
    Also, are aftermarket filters available?

    Thanks,
    Bob
  • vdchawkvdchawk Member Posts: 40
    Bob,

    I actually removed mine at 3500 miles and tapped the larger particles out, I will be replacing them in the next few weeks. The filter change is extremely easy. Remove the glove compartment for access to the heat/ac unit. You should see an access panel about 1.5 inches wide, it is held on by two C shaped spring clips one on the front the other on the bottom. Remove this panel, the filters are behind it. Remove the bottom filter, the top will drop down for removal. To install the new filters reverse the process.

    Liberty Subaru quoted me 29.96 for the filters, If you have the part number please post it so I can check subaruparts.com, I doubt if there are aftermarket versions. The aftermarket people stick to oil and air filters, not cabin air filters.

    Do you often drive in dusty conditions? I have found that the automatic AC system keeps the recirculate on almost constantly. This would lessen the accumulation in the filters, unless you override the recirc function.

    Keith
    2001 VDC
  • gof4gof4 Member Posts: 22
    Keith,
    The part number is G3210AE000.
    Funny that you mention the recirc on the automatic climate control. I emailed Subaru because I felt that they should have programmed the recirc cycle on & off to allow more fresh air into the cabin.
    On one really hot day I drove for over an hour with 4 adults in the car & finally had to manually switch off the recirc button.
    Next time the filters need a change, I'll give it a shot & change them myself.
    Thanks,
    bob
    p.s I didn't know that the VDC model also had the interior filters.
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Do people here feel the filters really make a difference? I have the base OB, which doesn't have the filters. However, I like driving as much as possible with the windows open. Therefore, the filters would be worthless. And what about the particles that are already in the fabric of the car? Just a thought. Since I have no experience with filters I thought I would ask those that have them what your experience is.

    Greg
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    "Do people here feel the filters really make a difference?" In a word, yes. When I keep the windows up Rufus remains almost dust-free for extended periods. This summer I did quit a lot of dirt "road" driving and it was amazing how little dirt got into the interiour of the car (and presumably me). With the windows down and the blower off, you are correct - worthless.

    Ross
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Gof4- I'm curious as to why you felt you had to switch off the recirculation? The AC is certainly more the efficient with it on and at least in the Forester, the vehicle isn't so airtight as to make it stuffy.

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My dad's 70's Buick Electra has that antennae on the windshield. Bad idea, since that's the glass that breaks most often.


    Bob: I've had my interior air filtration kit (photos here) installed for a little over a year and lots of miles. I just serviced the filters, but they were not very dirty so I tapped out the dust and used a vaccum to clean them.


    In comparison, my engine air filter was filthy. I was surprised because I usually have my HVAC on fresh air. Maybe it's catching smaller particles you can't see with the naked eye. But I could not tell which was the dirty and which was the clean side!


    -juice

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My dad's 70's Buick Electra has that antennae on the windshield. Bad idea, since that's the glass that breaks most often.

    Bob: I've had my interior air filtration kit (photos here) installed for a little over a year and lots of miles. I just serviced the filters, but they were not very dirty so I tapped out the dust and used a vaccum to clean them.

    In comparison, my engine air filter was filthy. I was surprised because I usually have my HVAC on fresh air. Maybe it's catching smaller particles you can't see with the naked eye. But I could not tell which was the dirty and which was the clean side!

    -juice
  • anibalbanibalb Member Posts: 193
    Hello everyone,

    I read a message about a bad strut on a new OB. Just this weekend I noticed a noise coming from my Driver's side strut. It is that rubber against metal grinding noise as you go up a bump or driveway very very slow. You can hear it. I pressed my strut up and down and it is not a bad one. With the hood open I can hear that noise.

    Is this leading to a bad strut? Or is it just a natural sound giving the rubber mounting on top of the strut. I know that once I replaced the struts on my Honda they both made that noise. But they were fine. You can only hear it briefly as you go over a bump extremely slow etc.

    Am I just being to analytical after I found out that my rear passenger door has a total of 7 little dings caused by the neighbor who parks next to me? Apparently her kid likes to open the door on his own. I was furious and have moved parking spaces. I refuse to have them fix it because they are so minor that you can only tell if there is a shadow. So glad we got white. If black I would go insane. Also, I don't want Bondo on my new car.

    Any ideas on the Strut? Thanks.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Our '00 OB had 2 rear struts go shortly after we purchased it. The noises we heard as they were going was a faint rattle over certain bumps and a squeak like rubbing sound when it bounced (that's probably the sound your describing). It also developed a more 'Buick'-like ride (bounce bounce bounce bounce ....). Fortunately, our struts also were leaking a tiny bit of fluid nightly in our garage to help aid in determining the cause.

    Since they've been replaced back in Nov '00, they don't squeak or make any noises at all. And, of course, the ride is WAY better.

    -Brian
  • anibalbanibalb Member Posts: 193
    Thanks subearu,

    I definitely do not have the buick ride on it. That is what I tested for when pushed it up and down. The strut is fine and there is no fluid leak. I will pay attention to it to see if it gets any worse. Again, thanks for that.
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    sounded like a "tinny' rattle when going over medium to hard bumps. There was no degradation in the ride quality.
    Ron
  • qianziyuqianziyu Member Posts: 1
    Hi, friends,

    Very happy to join the community today.

    My Subaru, legacy has the "Check engine" on all the time as long as I start engine. I went to a mechanic. After about two-hour check. We found that cooling funs are keeping on running when engine is started. So he guesses that something is wrong with the coolant sensor. We changed a new coolant sensor. The fans keep on running. We changed ajacent sensor also today. But Funs still run and "check engine" light didn't disappear.

    Who can tell me what's wrong with my car. I want to say a lot of thanks in advance.

    Ziyu Qian
  • andyw1andyw1 Member Posts: 8
    My new Bean also starts in recirc and runs for quite a while in recirc when it is humid (owned it so far for 1 week without a lot of heat or humidity). The dealer, at delivery, said not to switch recirc on for long because over time it will make the car smell "like old socks." I've heard this elsewhere and I have almost never turned recirc on in other cars. This one comes on automatically and stays on unless you turn it off. With the present weather, this won't be a problem til the spring.

    Andy
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Haaa, I am of the complete opposite school. Since the recirc takes the already cold air and re-cools it. It helps the AC system to not have to strain as hard to get out the hot air + humidity. I run with the recirc on whenever the A/C is on. Whenever the AC is off, I turn off the recirc. Also this helps keep your cabin clean. If you get an odor, you can take baking soda IIRC and dump it in the air vents to the heater core/ac core.

    -mike
  • stevekstevek Member Posts: 362
    Hate to say this, but take it to a competent mechanic who has the equipment to tap into the computer and read the codes(sounds like yours does not). In today's cars it is almost impossible to guess unless you have unlimited funds and time. Check engine light could be anything. The codes will point a competent mechanic to the right direction. The code does not tell you what is wrong, it will tell you what is the symptom, you still need a competent mechanic who can follow up on that. Hope this helps.
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