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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19283 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Messages Page 1770 of 1930

#17682 of 19283 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Subaru Outback [tompaine] by xwesx

Feb 05, 2008 (12:03 am)

Replying to: tompaine (Feb 04, 2008 8:53 pm)
I am going to deviate a little.
 
First, I am always befuddled by dealers' insistence that the catalytic converter needs replacing when a P0420 code pops. P0420 is "Catalytic Converter Below Threshold." Basically what this means is that the measured differential between the oxygen content in the exhaust upstream and downstream of the cat is not great enough. This could be caused by several things, not simply a result of the converter not doing its job.
 
The fact that this code continues to recur quickly even after oxygen sensors and the converter itself are replaced leads me to believe that the primary problem is due to something upstream of the catalytic system; maybe even a slight coolant leak into the combustion chamber(s).
 
Tell us, who has thus far paid for all these parts randomly thrown at the problem?
 
I am tempted to say that the rough engine operation may be a separate issue. In the absence of spark or fuel as the cause, I am leaning toward a knock sensor or mass airflow sensor as the primary culprit.

#17683 of 19283 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Subaru Outback [xwesx] by tompaine

Feb 06, 2008 (8:00 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 05, 2008 12:03 am)
Many thanks for all of your views to date. These are things that the dealer did not mention.
 
As for the financial burden of all of this, I wish in retrospective that I did have an extended warranty. However, over the course of time and with some haggling along the way, the way this breaks down is that I paid for one catalytic converter and sensor and the dealer or Subaru covered the other catalytic converter and sensor. I took the hit on the fuel injector flush; they took the hit on the ignition coils and wire -- and the comprehension test -- if that was in fact done.
 
Thanks again for your views on this.

#17684 of 19283 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Subaru Outback [tompaine] by hypov

Feb 06, 2008 (11:05 am)

Replying to: tompaine (Feb 04, 2008 8:53 pm)
what samiam_68 said.
 
See if you can talk the dealer into a loaner ECU to see if the problem reside with your ECU. Make sure it's for the AT and not manual. An ECU for manual in an AT car.... a kid with skateboard will beat you off the line and pull ahead with 2 cars length
 
If a loaner ECU is not available, then make arrangement with the Dealer to take your vehicle in at moments notice. You need to drive the vehicle and take it straight to the dealer the second the symptom(s) occur, not tomorrow or when you get off work; straigth away. When you get to the dealer, leave the engine running. Do not turn it off. They should have an AccessPort like tool to register the engine's performance where it will help them determine a more precise area to look at and/or proof that the ECU is the culprit.
 
I'm guessing they'll find that the engine is running lean.
 
-Dave

#17685 of 19283 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Subaru Outback [hypov] by tompaine

Feb 07, 2008 (8:47 am)

Replying to: hypov (Feb 06, 2008 11:05 am)
Thanks again. I'll keep you all posted.

#17686 of 19283 Functional Vents by thepdmm

Feb 10, 2008 (12:44 pm)

Does anybody know if the Vents behind the front wheel well and the front bumper functional in the new STI?

#17687 of 19283 Re: Functional Vents [thepdmm] by paisan

Feb 10, 2008 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: thepdmm (Feb 10, 2008 12:44 pm)
Yes, when we were at SOA last week, they explained how they help to vent engine heat and that through their testing they actually dropped temps significantly and help air flow over the IC better.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#17688 of 19283 Forester dies at stopsigns. by subforus

Feb 10, 2008 (11:02 pm)

Does anyone have experience like this-when slowing to stop, our 2001 forester S will give a shake and the engine shuts off. Starts up fine and we're good to go the rest of the trip. Not everytime, but seems to be within 3 miles from starting out. My wife had it happen 3 days in a row at the same intersection. After my mechanic cleaned out the throttle body, she had it almost die again and the next day I had a similar experiance: had driven 190 miles, let the car sit 5 hours, and within 3 miles of starting out, it tried to die while I slowed to stop. Car has 144,000 miles approx, automatic, no codes logged or check engine light until that last one, Autozone checked-catalytic converter function below normal or something like that....tried to do it again this morning, within about three miles of taking off. Outside temp has been between 30 and 50 degrees through all this. Seems to run great other than this!

#17689 of 19283 coolant leaking (another head gasket problem?) by ratbert1

Feb 11, 2008 (9:51 am)

I've read most of the head gasket and coolant leaking messages, but wanted to post my current problem.
 
A couple weeks ago I had the dealer change my timing belt and replace the tensioner, which was starting to sound like the bearings were failing. My 2002 OBW has around 99,000 miles on it. Now this past weekend coolant has started to drip from the underside of the engine. I know it started on friday because I could not have missed it. Too much smoke/steam (not oil smoke) when I stopped. I'm not as familiar with the engine layout as I should be, so I'll describe it. I could not see anything leaking while looking down on the engine or from underneath where the oil filter is. It has be be leaking from the "rear" of the engine, on the bottom. That's where I can see the drips coming from. Also dripping onto the exhaust and evaporating. When the engine is hot, it drips around 1 drop per second.
 
I brought it in to the dealer, who has been good with service so far. Is it possible that they caused this when they changed the timing belt? I like to be educated when I talk to them, maybe that's why they've been good on service with me so far.

#17690 of 19283 Re: Forester dies at stopsigns. [subforus] by xwesx

Feb 11, 2008 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: subforus (Feb 10, 2008 11:02 pm)
I have a feeling that this problem is related to the Mass Airflow Sensor. I had a '96 Outback that would do this as well - never threw a code. After wasting a couple hundred dollars at various shops and no progress, the last guy suggested the MAS on a hunch. After a few more stalls, I finally decided to give it a try - found a used one for fairly cheap, threw it in, and never had it stall again.
 
Good luck solving it.

#17691 of 19283 Re: coolant leaking (another head gasket problem?) [ratbert1] by xwesx

Feb 11, 2008 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: ratbert1 (Feb 11, 2008 9:51 am)
As much as I am not a believer in coincidence when problems arise immediately after service, if the gaskets are truly leaking from the rear then the service should not have anything to do with the problem you are now having. As a 2002 under 100,000 miles, the external head gasket leak should be covered under warranty.
 
Contact 1-800-SUBARU3 and address it with them.

Messages Page 1770 of 1930

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