Subaru Forester

tim3

I posted this in the problems/solutions thread but didn't get a response so I thought I would try here....

04 Forester X MT, 73K, owned since new.

Heading down an 8% mountain grade for several miles, I shift down to 4th to take advantage of engine braking and the temp gauge steadily drops all the way down to C. At the bottom of the grade, I shift back to 5th and the gauge rises back to its normal position. This happens every time I downshift to go down a mountain grade. Outside temp is in the low 60s. Car runs excellent otherwise, including going up mountain grades.

This may or may not be related: A month ago at the start of a 3,200 road trip, the car started heating up going up a mountain grade. The Subaru dealer diagnosed the problem as a bad radiator cap and replaced it. I also had the dealer replace the drive belts. No problems over the next 4,000 miles – including mountain driving – until the problem above cropped up last weekend.

Any ideas why the gauge would drop, Subaru gurus?

Tim

ateixeira

Solid review, I love this part in particular:

we could throw the Forester into corners without worrying about throwing it into the trees at the same time. A vehicle so high off the ground should not be able to corner like this, yet it does. It should roll and dive, yet it doesn't. We just couldn't get over it.

:shades:

p0926

Well in the dealer's defense, squeaks can be difficult to locate. Especially since they tend to come and go or only happen under specific conditions. My 04 Forester has a couple of rattles that come and go. Sure during those times when they're present they can be annoying but I figured that going to the dealer would be futile.

However, if you can reliably duplicate the rattle in the presence of the repair tech... well then they should be able to locate and stop the squeak.

-Frank

p0926

That is odd. The engine obviously isn't getting cold so I can only guess that your engine temp sensor is bad.

-Frank

tim3

Odd indeed. Thanks for response, Frank. That gives me somewhere to start.

Tim.

done37

Hi Tim,

It's also possible that you have some air still in your cooling system from the previous work that was done on it. May still need to be burped as they say. The grade you were taking may have angled an air pocket in your system at the sending unit giving it a false reading. Good luck.

paisan

I'd definitely have the system re-flushed to start. Then see if it clears it up. From there the temp sensor would be next.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

gocerygetten

Dont defend my dealer please .It has done it every time I have taken it in. Took it in Friday (third time) to fix window squeak and rear wiper squeak. (third time) Went to pick it up and they told me the window squeak is common on subarus whenpeople wash thier cars alot. When I went to leave I rolled up the window and it squeaked. Went back to the desk and they told me to roll it up and down a few times to work in the lubercant. TODAY ITS BACK TO SQUEAKING If this problem is from washing the car shouldnt alllll the windows squeak.. I wash the whole car not just the drivers window And if it is from washing the car ,another poor design from subaru.( the other one is the steel wheels that freeze up when you drive through deep snow) SOA told me not to drive through deep snow.

paisan

Steel wheels only come on the cheapest models. I'm not sure what you even mean by "freeze up" when you drive through deep snow. Most subie owners run steelies (except for the newest models) with their snow tires w/o issue.

As for the squeeking window, not sure but it's probably a misalignment of the track or the pads that hold the window in place. Without seeing or hearing it, it's hard to diagnose.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

aatherton

"... I'm not sure what you even mean by "freeze up" when you drive through deep snow."

I think he means that snow and ice sticks and packs around the inside of the rim. Then there is an imbalance at speed. Some people wax their rims to prevent the snow from sticking there.

paisan

I suppose that's what he means. I mean, it's not a result of it being a Subaru that the snow sticks to them. Any car with steel wheels will pack the same. I've also seen snow stick to aluminum wheels as well. As you said, waxing can help prevent that.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

jeqq

Just got a letter from my dealer, they need '06 Foresters. They want to buy back mine and give me a new one for "little or no money". ???????

What gives? I'm going to call tomorrow.

paisan

Haaa, yes that's a common sales tactic for dealers. Just a sales item IIRC.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

jeqq

ateixeira

While that is just a sales pitch, the guaranteed trade-in allowance program actually does offer higher-than-market values for your used Subaru if it qualifies.

Miles have to be low, it has to have the original windshield and no crashes. If so, though, they had a great program when the Impreza came out.

We have an 02 Legacy that I would love to use that program for, but our windshield is cracked so I don't think they will let is qualify. :sick:

dstew1

SOA won't have much luck finding used Foresters with the original windshield. The absence of rake on that thing and the brittle nature of the OEM glass results in an absurd number of chips and cracks. I replaced two in the first six months on my '06. Went with aftermarket glass the last time and no problems in the last 20 months.

ateixeira

My 98's was original when I sold it last year.

Stop tail gating trucks full of gravel.

dirtbag

Unfortunately, in the mountains, the highway department spreads gravel on the roads. That's how my windshield gets cracked. My Forester was less than a year old when it first happened. Windshield repair jobs don't work these days because of the magnesium chloride they also spread on the roads. :sick:

ateixeira

The wife went through 3 windshields on her Mazda 626, and already broke the first one on her Legacy.

So that's my joke, I tell her she's gotta stop tailgating gravel trucks!

gocerygetten

Has anyone replaced radio in a forester 2.5x?? My question is about the subwoofer. I added the subaru sub after I bought the car, and the wiring to it just piggy packed into the original wiring harness. If I replace the radio will the sub still work? Was going to get a plug?? that plugs into the wiring harness so i dont cut wires, will this work with the wires and the piggy back connection for the sub???I hope I explained this well enough Thanks for your help

paisan

It should work if all the plugs that went into your stock stereo also plug in.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

gocerygetten

Im at witts end with this #$$%%#@&**^$ car. Today it was raining out and I turned on the rear wiper and squeak, squeak,squeak. Rolled down the window at an ATM and SKREEEEEEK all the way down and up. Turned a corner and it sounds like someone is running thier fingers over a comb. But the dealer says Its my fault because i wash this $^$!%&()&^$&*( car too much. These cars DO have problems. My dealer acts like this car is perfect and nothing should be wrong with it. It has been in 9 times for these 3 problems . Now the window whistles a tune to me at speeds over 40 MPH. Cant wait to trade it off on something other than a $&(%^@#%^(() SUBARU.

dstew1

Stop tail gating trucks full of gravel.

I can't help it; I drive a Subaru. I am programmed to go after gravel wherever I can find it. :shades:

p0926

Best of luck with your next vehicle.

-Frank

samiam_68

Yes, I agree, Subarus are not known for occupant comfort and can be quite frustrating to inhabit. Even though I am on my second Subaru, unless the company gets their act together and brings the NVH and passenger comfort levels up to at least those of the bargain brands, I will not buy another Subaru.

Anyone want a bazzilion Subaru bucks? :sick:

ateixeira

Yes.

I called dibs.

dnestr71

I've been to this forum a few years ago. Good to hear that some of loyal members such as Mike, Juice, Ballistic and others who I forgot to mention are still sound here. Hope life treats you guys well.

I still own and enjoy my 2,0 xt 03 w/at (assembled in Japan). It has had 85k km and no problem to date. The only thing I replaced was two tail lamps.

All the best to everyone and many thanks for sharing your experience here

leo2633

I haven't seen Jack aka: "ballistic" here in years. I seem to recall he was disgusted with the low gearing in the manual transmission of his first-year Forester XT and then sort of just faded away. Too bad, he offered some insightful contributions while he was here.

Len

geo4564

My 2005 Forester 2.5X (28,000 mi) developed small cracks & splits on the vinyl driver's seat along the stitching. Brought it to the dealer 1 week before end of 36 month warranty and was surprised when the Service Mgr. said "No problem, I've seen it before & it's covered under warranty". He had to order the seat cover, but it is now good as new.
My one & only warranty claim.

ateixeira

Wow, they covered that? I'm surprised they didn't call it wear and tear.

Kudos to that dealership. Want to share the name to give them credit?

tifighter

is the 4 cyl engine 170 hpwr enough power in the forester?

Depends; what do you drive now?

I have only driven the manual, but it worked okay for me.

ahwig1

is the 4 cyl engine 170 hpwr enough power in the forester?

ateixeira

Enough? Yes, especially since other markets got Foresters with as little as 120hp 2.0l engines.

170hp sounds pretty good, relative to those.

ahwig1

i drive a 1999 hyundai elantra now.

ateixeira

What did those come with, 130hp or so?

It may even feel like a step up.

ahwig1

yes, ok thanks

kl1ab

I am thinking about getting a 07/08 Forester XT turbo. I live in austin texas, and have not been able to find a 5spd to test drive. There seem to only be automatics. Should I get an automatic or 5 spd?
CHEERS
Kevin

dirtbag

Depends on how much stop and go driving you do. I have a manual transmission but I wouldn't like it if I did much city driving.

kl1ab

so you dont think the performance might be dampened by an automatic? is the 5 spd fun to drive?

p0926

MT XTs can be hard to find and won't even be available in the 09s that are shipping to dealers this month.

Assuming you can find one, driving a manual XTs is a matter of personal preference. They are a bit faster 0-60 and $1k cheaper but there's no real mpg savings.

-Frank

tifighter

Here in Seattle, the Limited manual is more common than the XT Sport. In fact, I don't know if I've ever seen a XT Sport 5sp at a local dealer, and this is a very strong Subie market.

Probably a good thing, though; if there had been a XT Sp manual in white, I would have likely brought it home...

xwesx

All Subarus are fun to drive, but there are matters of degree.

done37

Funny you say that Josh, back in 05 when I bought my White XT 5speed, My local dealer hear in Eastern Washington had to get it from a dealer in Bellevue I think. I must've got the last one over there. It could have also been another story of availability back in 05

ateixeira

I test drove a manual XT the first year they came out and found it absurdly fast.

The auto was more tame, but still quick.

Sportshift for the automatic may help the 09s a bit, especially since you can plan ahead.

We're going for the fuel sipper 2.5i LL Bean, with oil over $100/barrel and likely to stay there.

p0926

Back in 04 you couldn't get a manual XT with the premium pkg (leather & moonroof) so I ended up going aftermarket for both :P

Now the 09 XTs will only be available with the auto and obviously adding an aftermarket manual tranny isn't a realistic option

-Frank

lark6

Posting wirelessly from the dealer service department. My '05 FXT had TWO wheel bearings fail (both fronts) at 48K miles! :mad: Thank [insert your deity of choice here] they're still covered under the powertrain warranty. It's the first problem I've had with the car since I bought it.

I had three wheel bearings fail (all rears) on my '00 FS, and had hoped this problem wouldn't recur with the SG generation. I hope the coming generation Forester won't suffer this problem though this seems to be Subaru's weakest link...

Ed

ateixeira

I'm surprised, too. We thought they'd licked that problem with the 2003 redesign. Perhaps not.

Maybe paisan could fill us in but I don't think this is too difficult as a DYI project. It would be great if someone documented the process. Maybe on Scooby mods?

lark6

I don't think this is too difficult as a DYI project.

If not I'll consider DIYing it when it happens again > 60K.

Ed.

ateixeira

Did a quick search, apparently you need some special tools.

A bearing runs about $80 and labor is 0.8 units (hours). 1.4 hours if you do both sides.

At least it shouldn't be too expensive.

paisan

It's a fairly tough job. You need a bearing press to press out the bearings. We do em at our shop, although not too often. Had to replace one on the racecar at 150k miles that went out during our shakedown race weekend last feb. It's a PITA to do it and 0.8 hrs labor is very short. It's more like a 2+ hr job for each side.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host