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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 1831 of 1930

#18292 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [colin_l] by oldladydriver

Aug 14, 2009 (4:15 am)

Replying to: colin_l (Aug 13, 2009 7:44 pm)
I agree with you that it's not normal. What I'm wondering is if the normally aspirated 2008 Imprezas will end up developing serious engine problems like some of the 2008 WRX models requiring new engines at early mileage. I haven't seen anything like that yet on the forums, regarding the lower-end Imprezas. I just hope this engine doesn't blow up on me in the middle of some road trip, 200 miles away from a Subaru dealer. I'm going to have the next oil change done by a good auto shop in town, rather than the dealer, and see what they think about what might be going on (or what they've heard anyway).

#18293 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [oldladydriver] by cptplt

Aug 14, 2009 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: oldladydriver (Aug 14, 2009 4:15 am)
>What I'm wondering is if the normally aspirated 2008 Imprezas will end up developing serious engine problems like some of the 2008 WRX models requiring new engines at early mileage.
 
the NA 2.5 is the same on an Impreza, Forester or outback/legacy and a different beast to the 2.5 turbo in the WRX

#18294 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [oldladydriver] by aatherton

Aug 15, 2009 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: oldladydriver (Aug 13, 2009 7:21 pm)
"... I really don't think there should be carbon buildup at 15k - especially since I don't use junk gas. If there's carbon - I wonder if it's because the fuel isn't combusting properly... I have read on the NASIOC forum that the 2008s were tuned "lean" - which, as I understand it, can lead to engine ping..."
 
Maybe you did use junk gas. Junk gas would be the brands that do not have the detergent content of the Top Tier:
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
 
The ECU assures the fuel is combusted properly, or it gives a warning light with a diagnostic trouble code. The engine is prevented from pinging by a knock sensor that tells the ECU to retard the ignition. If the knock sensor allowed pinging, that also would bring on the light and a code.
 
In your driving habits, do you start off easy, with the transmission upshifting sooner than you want which bogs down the acceleration, and then do you apply more throttle to cause a downshift back to the previous gear? The rattling could be the transmission being confused about what it is supposed to do under light acceleration. If so, using more aggressive acceleration might stop the problem.

#18295 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [aatherton] by oldladydriver

Aug 16, 2009 (8:15 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Aug 15, 2009 1:22 pm)
I've been using either BP or Mobil gas in the car for the last year; I considered this to be adequate quality fuel. Yes, I usually pull away from a stoplight/sign with a light foot. Have always driven that way so as to avoid rear ending someone in front of me, waste gas, or squeal tires. And yes, this transmission and engine frequently act confused about what they should do! Makes no sense to me to have a car that can't readily adapt from light to moderate acceleration. Example: I might pull away from a stoplight gently, only to have to floor it seconds later to avoid some hazard. I use aggressive acceleration only when it's called for.
 
I drove an 08 Outback auto trans loaner car for the day my car was in the shop (not a turbo model). Car performed *just fine* going up hills, freeway entrance ramps etc. No ping, no sluggishness. As a loaner, that car is probably driven by someone different every day, yet it knew exactly when to shift, when to deliver power. No problems.
 
If a car can't seem to switch back and forth easily between driving styles, I think there's a design or other problem. Do ALL new cars do this? Why would a manufacturer design a car that won't reliably do what you tell it to do?

#18296 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [oldladydriver] by colin_l

Aug 16, 2009 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: oldladydriver (Aug 16, 2009 8:15 am)
Problems from bad gas go away after your get it out of the system, and it's very unlikely that any busy station has poor quality fuel. It's fuel that sits around a long time you have to be worried about.
 
There's not a design problem either. There's a specific and uncommon issue with your car. And like I said, I give Subaru and the dealership an "A" for effort, but their efforts are likely in vain. It's rare, but sometimes there are bad engines.

#18297 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [colin_l] by xwesx

Aug 17, 2009 (10:16 am)

Replying to: colin_l (Aug 16, 2009 12:58 pm)
I did not follow this all the way to the original post, but has resetting the engine/transmission control unit memories been tried yet? If it is an oddity of learned driving style, resetting these units would clear the problem immediately even though it would likely return (if driving style remained the same) after a while.

#18298 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [xwesx] by colin_l

Aug 17, 2009 (2:09 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 17, 2009 10:16 am)
Yep, that's been tried.

#18299 of 19283 Re: 08 Subaru OBW, rattling noise while accelerating.. [colin_l] by oldladydriver

Aug 19, 2009 (4:30 pm)

Replying to: colin_l (Aug 17, 2009 2:09 pm)
If any of you want to read more about engine ping in these late model Subarus, look at the subaruforester.org forum. There's a fairly active thread right now on the same type of engine ping problem (and I've been posting there, too). I don't know much about cars, but other folks are weighing in on the problem in that forum, as well. This doesn't seem to be an entirely isolated problem.

#18300 of 19283 Tribeca Gold Paint Problem by jerrys2

Aug 26, 2009 (6:53 am)

After reading about this on the Tribeca board, I checked my '06 and discovered I have the ghosting problem with the champagne gold paint.
 Have other models had this problem? Will Subaru correct even though I am out of warranty ( 49 months, 46k ) ?
Thanks ,
 
Jerry

#18301 of 19283 Some sort of squeak by pathtomax

Aug 26, 2009 (9:57 pm)

I haven't posted much lately, but I always know I can count on the crew for help!
 
My 2001 Outback Wagon Ltd with 130,000 miles is making some kind of squeaking noise. Imagine, if you will, the sound brakes make when they squeak. This is happening when I am driving. I drove around a Honda dealership (just peeking...still love my Subie) and driving around the lot about 10 mph, it was making the squeaking noise. I have been hearing it at lower mph only b/c I have been driving more with the a/c on and can't hear it then. Is this of concern? It may just be intermittent now but want to know if I should bring it in sooner than later.

Messages Page 1831 of 1930

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