Ask the Car People.SM


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


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153
 
Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 1772 of 1929

#17705 of 19283 subaru and water by kurtamaxxxguy

Feb 20, 2008 (8:21 am)

Direct from Subaru when I asked the water depth question (slightly edited to keep space reasonable):
 
"We cannot provide you with an exact depth of water that would cause problems to a Subaru Outback or Forester vehicle and could affect the warranties on the vehicle."
 
"A Subaru vehicle is neither a conventional off-road vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger car designed primarily for on-road use. However, both the Outback and Forester models are equipped with an AWD System and have increased ground clearance, which allows for some off-road usage. "
 
"Drive slowly and completely through the stream. The water should be shallow enough that it does not reach the vehicle's undercarriage. Water entering the engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall."
 
"Ground clearance specs for 2008 Forester models:
8.1 inches - Forester 2.5X models
7.9 inches - Forester 2.5XT models
 
Ground clearance specs for 2008 Outback Wagons:
8.4 inches - Outback 2.5i and 3.0R Wagons
8.7 inches - Outback 2.5XT Wagons."
 
So, my guess is as long as you don't go deeper than their ground clearance, you are probably all right.
No fording rivers with these!

#17706 of 19283 You want water? by ateixeira

Feb 20, 2008 (8:26 am)

Just for you, Kurt...
 
Mine was fine after this. In fact we did this Pine Barrens fun run in 2001, the weekend after 9/11, and I kept that Forester for 6 more years without any problems.

MVC-005S.JPG
0x0 (92kb)

#17707 of 19283 Re: You want water? [ateixeira] by xwesx

Feb 20, 2008 (9:45 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 20, 2008 8:26 am)
Yeah, I went through many a Spring parking lot puddle that was 7-8" deep and at least that large with my '96 Outback. Never had any problems with it that could be attributed to my enjoyment of Fairbanks' spring-time perks.

#17708 of 19283 Re: You want water? [xwesx] by ateixeira

Feb 20, 2008 (10:03 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 20, 2008 9:45 am)

 
We drove through at speed, though, that splashes up a lot of water.
 
A guy with a Subaru XT6 sucked water in his intake and it stalled the engine. They actually fixed it on the spot - remove the plugs, spray in WD40, run the starter to evaculate the water. Good as new.
 
He blew a clutch later in the day.
 
So 4" of clearance was not enough, 7.5" was enough.

#17709 of 19283 Re: You want water? [ateixeira] by xwesx

Feb 20, 2008 (10:15 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 20, 2008 10:03 am)
So 4" of clearance was not enough; 7.5" was enough.
 
Hahah, yeah, it makes a big difference. I cannot remember what that '96 had... 6-something I think. I always punch the puddles at 15-20 - water and mud everywhere. Fun stuff.
 
My van has 5" of clearance, but I will not let that stop me this spring.

#17710 of 19283 Re: You want water? [xwesx] by ateixeira

Feb 20, 2008 (10:35 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 20, 2008 10:15 am)
The XT6 did have an aftermarket intake that was low-mounted. That guy was nuts, he should have had a snorkel!

#17711 of 19283 Re: Forester hard start after 4 hours [nw_john] by wgould10

Feb 20, 2008 (11:31 am)

Replying to: nw_john (Feb 02, 2007 4:11 pm)
I had the same problem with my 05 outback each year. Nothing worked. Letting the pump run- little effect if any. The problem was limited to Dec-April in Michigan. Subaru claimed that it was bad gas, but there was little difference from one gas station to the next.
 
My solution: I moved from MI to CT. I haven't had the problem all year. Last year in MI I switched to filling up at a busy gas station and I began running premium. It was much better, but still happened occasionally. My understanding is that MI requires a slightly different gasoline formulation in the winter vs the summer. CT may not.
 
After trying everything, I believe the problem is with the car and is in the electrical system. The issue happened most exclusively when the car was washed or run on wet roads. CT doesn't get any snow near the coast so I am always on dry roads these days. It happened once after I washed the car and put it in the garage wet. Thus, if the problem is spark when wet that would explain why a different gas formulation (with perhaps less ignitability) would effect the ability to start cold as well as the switch to premium fuel, and the issue with water.
 
Good luck.

#17712 of 19283 Rotational Noice in Rear Drive Area by wgould10

Feb 20, 2008 (6:56 pm)

I have a rotational noise coming from the rear wheel/axle area that is wheel speed dependent. It sounds like a large rock is wedged in one of the tires, but the tires are new and clean. I took it in for my free wheel rotation last weekend and the mechanic said he heard the sound when driving it, but not when it was on the lift. He was able to feel a shudder in the ball joint area which he said is commonly the problem when hearing this sound while driving. However, he felt the same shudder at the same time from both rear wheels. So, he didn't feel it was a ball joint, but possibly something in the drivetrain.
 
Any suggestions as to what it might be?

#17713 of 19283 Re: You want water? [ateixeira] by kurtamaxxxguy

Feb 20, 2008 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 20, 2008 8:26 am)
thnx for pic, ateixeria.

#17714 of 19283 subaru turbo lag by kurtamaxxxguy

Feb 21, 2008 (9:05 am)

I keep reading articles in C&D and other places complaining about Subarus' Turbo lag, and have experienced it myself. Unfortunately, it's a real turn off to what is in many ways a likeable vehicle
 
What, if anything, can be done to minimize Subaru Turbo Lag?
 
Or do we have to wait for Direct Injection from Subaru to fix this glitch?

Messages Page 1772 of 1929

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement