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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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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 550 of 1929

#5486 of 19283 Re: 2005 Subaru Forester [pamela3] Pinging [garrett] by dinosaur

Aug 10, 2005 (6:27 am)

Replying to: garrett (Aug 09, 2005 4:55 pm)
I had the same problem with a 2004 Forester X. Night quite as bad as yours though, although it would ping moderately with 89 octane and badly on 87. One cause of the problem is combustion chamber deposits. I added a full bottle of Techron concentrate ($6 at Wal-mart) for three consecutive fillups and haven't heard a ping since even on 87 octane (in 1000 mils).
 
I'm really skeptical of "mechanic is a bottle" products, but this stuff works. Normally 1 bottle every 3000 miles is recommended but multiple bottles might be needed if your fuel system is really dirty. After the first addition I noticed no benefit, after the second I noticed a little and the third eliminated it completely. The downside is that using the stuff regularly costs nearly the same as filling with a higher octane.
 
Don't ignore the problem though- its only going to get worse. The higher octane gas is only a temporary solution. You'll eventually ping on 92 also.

#5487 of 19283 Techron by ateixeira

Aug 10, 2005 (8:06 am)

It can help.
 
Miata enthusiasts say you should redline the car once each tankful to help prevent carbon deposits from forming inside your engine. When they form, they occupy space and effectively increase your compression ratio. That can cause pinging in extreme cases.
 
So go get 3 bottles on Techron, use one in each of your next 3 tanks. And make sure you rev your engine, try to come near redline at least once per tankful.
 
Also make sure you are not lugging the engine. You don't want it to be pulling a heavy load at under 2000 rpm. Peak torque occurs above 4000rpm, so don't be afraid to rev it up. Especially when you have lots of passengers or cargo, i.e. a heavy load.
 
-juice

#5488 of 19283 Re: 96' legacy outback, oil problem [xwesx] by jwolf783

Aug 10, 2005 (10:00 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 09, 2005 3:45 pm)
I'm referring to the dipstick, its less then one quarter now..., I have 121k on the engine, and feinetely do not drive 500 miles a week maybe 200. i just figured if i keep having to add oil, then something must be wrong, but if you say not to worry about it and just make sure its full of oil then i'll have to go with that. what kind of oil do you recommend i keep in my trunk? i usually have firestone or whomever change it, i've never really had to buy any yet. thanks
 
- justin

#5489 of 19283 "cranking" sound when making sharp turns 96' outback by jwolf783

Aug 10, 2005 (10:11 am)

Another problem I'm having with my 96' legacy outback is when I make sharp turns, forward and reverse, for example pulling out of a tight parking space or pulling into one, there is a loud cranking/ sort of sound, it's almost as if the car is trying really hard to pull off the turn. I was told by one mechanic that it's a problem with the AWD and that some sort of lock is in place in the transmission. He said not to worry about it though, I cant help but worry cause that sound just gets to me, feels like my car is just going to fall into pieces after Iomplete a turn. Any advice?

#5490 of 19283 Two things by ateixeira

Aug 10, 2005 (10:44 am)

I would have a mechanic inspect the CV joints and the wheel bearings.
 
-juice

#5491 of 19283 Re: Two things [ateixeira] by jwolf783

Aug 10, 2005 (11:03 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 10, 2005 10:44 am)
i had them check the cv joints, they were fine... and i know the sound of a badd wheel bearing, its definetely not that, more like a ratchet type sound...

#5492 of 19283 Sound by ateixeira

Aug 10, 2005 (12:52 pm)

Sounds like binding.
 
Can you drive in a tight figure 8 in a dry parking lot? See if that improves things.
 
Also check the circumference of the tires, they should not vary by more than 1/4".
 
-juice

#5493 of 19283 Re: Two things [jwolf783] by locke2c

Aug 10, 2005 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: jwolf783 (Aug 10, 2005 11:03 am)
try turning the steering wheel to max left and right while stationary-- I'd recommend blacktop rather than your concrete driveway
 
if the noise is present it's the steering rack.
 
if it's not, it's probably the center differential. on a manual this is a relatively inexpensive viscous coupler. on an automatic, it's an electronic clutch pack, and it's pricey.
 
~Colin

#5494 of 19283 Re: Two things [locke2c] by jwolf783

Aug 10, 2005 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: locke2c (Aug 10, 2005 1:02 pm)
it's automatic, if it does need a new center differential, which sounds like the problem... how pricey are we talking, was my one mechanic right in saying that i dont have to worry about it if i can deal with the noise??

#5495 of 19283 Re: Two things [jwolf783] by locke2c

Aug 10, 2005 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: jwolf783 (Aug 10, 2005 2:19 pm)
$1500-2500. pricey enough that you should just sell the car for whatever you can get, or donate it to a church.
 
~c

Messages Page 550 of 1929

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