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For the first time, I had the smell of gasoline shortly after getting underway tonight. Coldest outside start this winter, around 10'F or so. Popped the hood when I got home and sniffed around. Clean around the fuel filter area, but strong around the lines that drop down to the drivers side fuel injectors, and a trace on the passengers side. Guess I am going to have to get in there and try tightening up the clamps.
Cheers!
Paul
Is his 'lifter' scenario likely - the car is quieter - at least it was yesterday....
Thanx all for your input...
""About an hour later the verdict was in and said that they did not agree about the engine -""
My take on the whole issue is this. Its a design flaw in the engine--probably causing piston slap. It may shorten the life of the engine in the end, but it probably won't pose a real problem until you're sick of the car and the warranty is looonng passed. That being said, Subaru would rather just say "Ooops!, its just a Subaru quirk, enjoy your car" rather than admit they sent out thousands upon thousands of questionable engines that may need new blocks. Maybe I'm just being cynical, but I'm not impressed with the quality control in my wife's new car at all. (A parting note: a Subarau dealer the next town over has actually hung a sign in their service area saying: "Warning: Subaru's are noisy!")
Responded to you privately last night. What I should have suggested in my note was that you leave the car with them overnight so that they could assess a cold start, how loud & how long it takes for the clanging to dissappear. That is the real test. Once warmed up, everything is so muted that it can be a lot harder to tell. It might be worth one more visit, or just drive on happy....
The SOHC Phase II engine does not use 'valve lifters' per se, but there is a mechanical valve lash adjustment. Rarely have I ever heard of anyone touching them unless the motor is torn apart, or there is sufficient ticking to warrant checking them. I remember on my old Toyota and Datsun doing them every 25k miles or things got ugly, but today they don't seem to experience the wear or drift that creates the need for service.
Haven't been to the dealer. Any thoughts?
Cheers Pat.
-mike
The problem totally disappears in the summer and fall months.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am about to dump the car if I can't get this solved. This being my third Subaru, I used to love the vehicles.
Thanks.
I am leaning toward an airflow sensor problem, as it sounds like you are not getting any spark when this happens. The intermittent nature of it makes it hard to diagnose, though. When you get a no-start, say, after the first 5-10 turns of the engine, try turning the car completely off, wait a minute, then try again.
Craig
There's a website called scoobymods that discusses many fixes for Foresters with pics generally...
My 02 Outback usually started the first time after I primed the fuel pump and required a bit less cranking time.
Martin
Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated.
I have noticed all of our cars (Subarus and Hondas) are stubborn to start ocassionally in cold weather (maybe 1 out of every 15 starts) but your situation definitely sounds abnormal to me, as if there is a problem to diagnose and fix.
Craig
For my 98 Forester, it was really low, something like 260 CCAs. I replaced the battery with one that has 535, something like that, and it starts up quicker.
That might help a little.
-juice
You are correct - it is a rotten design. The area around the resistor has a large gap. Any attempt to fill it would probably reduce the airflow around it, and cause it to overheat.
Steve
Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.
Cathy :sick:
Any suggestions? :sick:
Cathy
Call 800-SUBARU3 to make sure you get SoA's support, including perhaps a loaner to use while they sort it out. Give them time to, don't rush them because then they'll just have to replace #4 as well.
-juice
I think coolant was getting sucked in on the combustion stroke, hence the engine knock.
There was one time last summer I noticed the overflow bottle looking low (actually near the low line) so I added some premix. It was a long hot summer and I hadn't added any since getting the car two years before that. And it always seemed okay. I just wanted it to be alright before taking it in for the 30K service-- a bit of owner care on my behalf.
Now I've been using 89 Octane gas a while and haven't gone back to 87 Octane yet. The pinging still happens occassionally, mainly when fully warmed up and going uphill. Doesn't help that the winter cold isn't letting it get real hot to listen for the pings. Need summer heat again for comparison.
The higher octane gas (or winter cold?) seems to be an improvement anyhow, just not exactly ping-free the way I'd like it to be. And unfortunately there's still that muted backfire sound, like a highpitched plunk!, when backing off the accelerator. Probably little or no change in that. :sick:
I'm edging closer to the 36K mile warranty so I'm sure I'll be taking it in to seek a remedy, answer, or both.
I'd go with the rebuilt personally.
-mike
Re: Wheel shimmy --
Check the stupid stuff first: Tire Pressure
Not just low pressure (as in colder temps, winter), but uneven pressure can cause such stuff, especially in certain speed bands.
Next, have the wheels re-balanced. You might have thrown a balancing lead. Have the wheel alignment checked, as well.
Beyond that, you can start checking the expensive stuff -- Bent wheel rims, bent sterring linkages, etc. At your car's mileage, those are not likely. Tire pressures are, though. They should be checked at least once a week. If you find one that is consistently losing air (just a little) consider replacing the tire's valve core.
The local superstores (KMart, Walmart) usually carry an inexpensive air pump which can be plugged into a cigarette lighter or a DC power outlet. They are cheap insurance!
Gaucho
Check that all the lug nuts are tighten.
-Dave
Another foray into world of Subies (and submarine sandwiches perhaps)
The Subaru Crew Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check
The second item is sudden frosting on the inside of the windshield shortly after driving from a cold start. It can be scary. If your car isn't kept in a garage and there was a fresh snowfall, your grill and the top of your bumpers should be brushed off along with your windshield and hood. Sometimes when you drive off without the area in front being cleaned air will get blown in with snow into the heater air system. This can cause sudden inside frosting. Conditions have to be just right but it can happen. Shouldn't happen after you have driven a few miles or after the car is warmed. If it does then something else may be wrong. ....Jim
Yep, like you may have the temperature control knob turned in the wrong direction. :P
Right at the base of the windshield where the wipers park is a slotted section in the black plastic cowl panel. That is the air intake for the HVAC system, so keeping this clear is important if you want to avoid drawing in snow or excessive moisture that will fog the glass.
Steve
Jim :confuse:
Jim
I would think that whoever designed their website would have given that some degree of importance though. Thanks again Jeff.....
Jim
I think it is quite intentional. Most of these sites are medium sized dealerships that open up an internet store to move merchandise quickly and make some extra cash. They don't really want their traditional customers to know. How would their walk-in customers feel about paying list at the counter when they can use their computer from the local Dunkin Doughnuts and order the same item from the same counter at a 20-25% discount?
Steve
Previously followed the above steps with no problem. Time to buy a replacement antenna?? And where on-line to get one for a decent price?
Thanks.
MNSteve
Good explanation!!! Makes sense to me.
Thanks!!
Jim
Jim
allsubaru.com is affiliated with Carter Subaru near Seattle. (nation's #4 sales volume Subie dealer for '06, I think.) For me, I'd rather order online and pickup at the dealer than pay for shipping, but they can't let me do that and still give me their online pricing. Oh well.