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Comments
-mike
-Dave
jumped on and off the bumper, could not replicate the squawk sound. Tomorrow should be warmer, I'll listen for it with the windows down.
-Dave
My wife has better hearing than I and she complains about brake squeal. We had the shims installed and it still squeals and service department is frustrated with her complaints. I would venture to say that most male mechanics over 40 yrs old have high frequency hearing loss and aren't going to be of much use in believing there is a problem.
If the smell only happens some times, try getting the undercarriage washed. It might have salt/chemical residue on it from the stuff they use to treat the roads.
Since it's a 2000, you may just consider changing the brake pads, and getting quieter aftermarket ones. I'd go to I-club to see what they recommend for quiet braking. If you change them yourself it would be cheap.
CELs report a symptom. Most likely it was running a little hot and the emissions exceeded Subaru's specs. But the system worked - they caught a problem before it did any real damage.
I'd go back and let them look at it again. It may not even be related, often they are vaccum leaks in the sealed gas tank system.
-juice
ffsteve
Steve
Thanks
Alex
Mike
Can anybody recommend a place where I can get the part? Dealer is very expensive...
Shop for parts at subaruparts.com and subaru-parts.com.
Alex: try to select a higher gear ratio to avoid putting too much stress on the engine. I advanced the ignition timing on my Miata (it's set manually), so it's very sensitive to that, and if I choose the wrong gear it pings like Woody Woodpecker.
-juice
I also had them look at the well-documented clutch shudder (see previous zillion posts on this) and was, again, told that it was a normal Subaru condition related to the "Kevlar-coated" clutch disk. Whatever. If I keep bringing it up, maybe I won't get soaked with an expensive clutch replacement at 30K. Doubt it, though, and am looking into a Cobb tuning clutch ($450) as a replacement. I am 100% sure I will not put another Subaru clutch into this car. Junk.
-juice
You can also do a search at www.i-club.com. There are a number of threads that recount timing belt tensioner replacements.
I have 2001 Subaru Outback Wagon and so far around 7600 miles on it. Of course, it is very nice car but I have some question to ask.
HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THINGS DESCRIBED BELOW?
1. When I was checking auto transmission fluid recently (everything was done according to manual) I've noticed air bubbles on the dipstick. Fluid level was fine so is this normal? I red on the Net that it may suggest over filling or underfilling transmission. Like I said: fluid level was OK, so what else?
2. Almost from the beginning of having the car I smell from time to time burn oil/rubber type odor through my vent ducts from under the hood when I put the car on reverse after longer ride. No leaks noticed under the car.
Any help is greatly appreciated
2) That smell is probably the undercoating still buring off, takes a while on scoobys.
-mike
Yep, the undercoating burns off and has a rotten egg/sulfur smell. Fortunately it fades. We call it "Subaru's new car stench".
-juice
But I have another question. With this one I will probably end up at dealer's garage:
When I turned on my AC, it didn't work quietly.
(so far there was no problem, I bought our scoobie last July, so there was a chance to check AC system- worked great and quiet). I could hear some kind metallic noise coming from vents on and off. When I accelerated more I heard it more. I don't know exactly how vent system works in scoobies but for me it looks like soomething is being blocked and then released. Any ideas?
PS: I don't like to be a pain...., but my wife also heard it and she is rather interesting in driving our scoobie in most cases, not to listen to strange noises.
hans
kinda like when you stick a straw on the spokes of a bike to make it go tick tick tick.?
maybe?
-mike
mike k
-juice
My car got back from the shop on Monday with no knock. The invoice reads " cleared computer memory and add additives". The knocking was good until I tank 89 OCT gas this morning. I called SOA and learn that my car is scheduled (dealer didn't call me about it?) for new computer upgrade. I was ensured that this problem will be fixed with the upgrade. Anyone has any experience with this?
What's puzzling is that the dealer didn't talk to you about this.
-juice
You are probably right. I called the dealer and I was told that it will take 3 days minimum. It looks like they will send it out for re-programing. I am really considering to switching to another dealer. The SOA customer service was very helpful (unlike Toyota's).I hope it is the problem and they will be able to fix my car.
Personally, My experience with several Subarus have been excellent with reliability and dealer support. I currently own a OB VDC and a WRX wagon and have not had any problems at all, except for squeeling brakes when backing out the OB in the morning. Th Outback is the nicest cruising car I have ever owned; the WRX is the most fun.
The darling of Consumer Reports currently is the Passat. It seems that all mid size cars are judged off of it; however, I preferred the Outback for quietness, ride compliance, looks, and reliability.
The bottom line: drive all your potential choices and pick the car you like, but keep in the back of your mind the overall reliability history of the company.
Just my opinion,
Mike
Looking at some of the other boards here makes me believe Subarus seem to be holding up rather well (Christ, look at some of the domestic boards and read about THOSE problems).
Eric
Ross
Plus, CR put Subaru and Toyota on top, with 12 problems per car (2001 models), and Honda and Nissan tied for 3rd at 14 problems per car. So noone is perfect, but odds are best with a Subie or Toyota. :-)
I was surprised, but they said the average car already had 21 problems, for 2001 models! They must include every little squeek and rattle. Or the owners they survey are nit-picky!
Shimmy? Hmm, the tires could be out of round. Did they check the alignment, too, or just the tire balance? It could even be a wheel hub/bearing. Ask the dealer to inspect those.
-juice
Now, some irony: I've read with detached interest about the engine knock some folks have detected, and suddenly I find I'm growing uneasy about my own OB. Is it my delusional mind or is my engine beginning to knock? What exactly does this "engine knock" sound like? Stupid question I know, but I don't know if I'm hearing valve clatter, piston slap, or just the uniquely punctuated sound of a boxer engine. My OB engine makes a distinct ticking sound when idling, hot or cold, and it seems to be more pronounced than it once was. Can one of you experts clue me in on what to listen for?
Thanks mightily,
YetAnotherDave
How would I describe it? Think Woody Woodpecker. Knock-knock-knock-knock, loud and obvious, once you've heard it. At least a harmful knock will sound that way.
It is quite different than valve clatter, which my Miata has before warm up. Much louder, more distinct.
Boxers sort of growl, but that's normal. A machine-gun-like RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT sounds distinct, and it probably pre-ignition.
-juice
Who really knows what sound is made by what . As long as the car runs good and doesn't burn oil and gets good fuel mileageI can't really say any thing negative . About dealers it all depends on were you go some are very good some stink .
mikek
I thought that 'piston slap' was what was referred to as the cold engine noise, similar to a knock, that goes away as the engine warms. The only way to fix it is replace the block with a 'short block' (?). But, this noise is a normal noise and is not harmful - as long as it goes away as the engine warms.
Engine ping - happens warm or cold, usually accelerating, like the timing is off or something. Sounds like pebbles rattling. May go away with an ECU reset, different spark plugs, different gas brand.
Having said all that, I have occasionally heard our '00 OB to have the cold engine 'knock', but again, it goes away as the engine warms, usually within 5-10 minutes. I typically try to keep it under 3k rpm during this time too.
Try posting in the 'Meet the Members' topic under the Subaru Crew. A SOA rep (Patti) frequents that board and may be able to assist you in getting a resolution to your 'ping'.
-Brian
The distinct engine sound I'm hearing, at idle, sounds like a sewing machine; yeah, that's it, one of those solid old black-enameled Singers. The sound is the same whether hot or cold, and gets swallowed up by all the other sounds when driving, so I assume its just regular valve noise after all.
As for "pinging", in my experience (not with a Sube, of course) "pinging" is always accompanied by a subtle loss of "umph" (power); like you're suddenly towing a trailer - worse up hill or under load. No power loss here, so again I assume its just normal valve noise.
New question: lately my brakes seem to make a strong friction-noise, like a belt sander (oh, no, not another noise description), but only after the car has sat all day and/or night. After the first few stop signs the sound is gone. I though it must be surface rust on the rotors but I don't see any, and it occurs in all conditions: wet, dry, cold, warm. The brakes (the car) are just 14k miles old, so I'm not willing to entertain the thought that the linings are shot. But if you all tell me they are, I'll blindly agree.
YetAnotherDave
.
mike k
1. There is a burning rubber smell in my car after driving for couple of minutes, it is most noticable whenever I stop at a light or when I park the car in my garage. I've seen some earlier posts about this and in my case it cannot be undercoating dripping on the exhaust, my car is almost 2 years on the road with 23000km, besides the exhaust looks clean. Could this be the clutch?
my clutch is not the smoothest by any means.
2. I also experience steering wheel vibration. 4 months ago my dealer replaced both front driveshafts ( after 3 visits )and it helped for a short while now it's coming back, it's very random, one day it shakes like crazy another day it's smooth as a rock.
One thing I noticed that might be related to both problems is that the rubber boot on the passenger side driveshaft is only approximately 2" above the exhaust ( catalytic converter ), that seems a bit too close to have a piece of rubber filled with grease to a very hot pipe? Any thoughts?
As far as the vibration goes, I have experienced a slight vibration in the steering wheel at freeway speeds since the car was new. The tires are in balance (apparently, but who really knows) and the problem is not consistent. Most of the time, it's rock steady, other times the vibration is apparent. These wheels/tires seem very succeptible to minor changes (such as rocks in the tread, mud on the wheel, etc) so I tend to think that's what's causing the vibration.
Regards,
Brian
-mike
I have 2 sets of wheels with tires, one is original rims with potenzas and the other is a set of 15" forester wheels with michelin pilot alpins, it doesn't matter which set I put on it still makes these strange vibrations.
As you probably know, differential fluid smells pretty rubbery when it gets hot (i.e. the tranny is cooked). Perhaps the extra load on the viscous coupler and/or LSD would cause a slight bit of this odor yet be perfectly alright; I dunno. I would say, if the smell never disappears, but only grows stronger, get it checked out immediately. My first Legacy siezed up suddenly one cold winter day: O-rings in the rear differential had blown out. I smelled the rubbery smell, but didn't assign it to the transmission until I started to hear/feel the carnage. By then it was too late. SOA fixed it quick, and I took back all (most) of the nasty things I said at the time.
YetAnotherDave
I also get a vibration or shimmy through the steering wheel at highway speeds. I've changed tires twice with many attempts to balance the tires at different shops, and the dealer has looked at the brakes and tires and found no problems. Different road surfaces do seem to effect the shimmy. I really notice it when I hit the brakes hard slowing quickly from a high speed. Brakes feel fine but the wheels shake.