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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

18388 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 6:58 PM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum. Your Host is kcram

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

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#61 of 18388 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jun 30, 2002 (12:53 pm)
Trust me on this one, the car would barely run with two quarts of water in the gas, because the water would not blend uniformly, as might milk in coffee. The water will clump into large globules so when the engine eventually eats it, it won't like it. Also a large dose of water might swell up the fuel filter and clog it completely.
#62 of 18388 After doing a little research . . . by rexaroo Jun 30, 2002 (2:05 pm)
it turns out you are right about water not being soluble in gasoline. However, if water does get into your gas tank, the car might still run OK for a while because the water is heavier than the gas and immediately sinks to the bottom of the tank. In doing so, the water just sits there and doesn't evaporate unless the gas gets so low that the water is drawn into the fuel system where it can cause a lot of damage. So it looks like we're both correct in our statements. The car can run OK with water in the tank (as long as the water isn't being drawn into the fuel system), but once the water does finally hit the fuel filter and/or injectors, it's good-night-Irene and serious problems can occur. Since most cars have a 2-gallon reserve of fuel when the gas gauge reads empty, it's possible to drive around with as much as a gallon or so of water in your tank and never suffer the potentially serious consequences (as long as you always remember to fill up in time
#63 of 18388 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jun 30, 2002 (4:21 pm)
Yep, that could be true, but what usually happens is that as the car bounces around the water gets agitated and does in fact get sucked up into the fuel line. But water does tend to sink to the bottom, that's right, which is why you do a test drain on small planes before you take off. Once the plane is in the air, the water could get sucked into the fuel supply, which has more drastic consequences than with a car of course.   So really, one you are underway, even a small amount of water can interfere, but if you are just sitting there idling, maybe not. On a moving car, two quarts of water will definitely bring it to a halt in a few miles at most.
#64 of 18388 Rexaroo, you would be right about the mpg except... by joe_sin Jun 30, 2002 (6:34 pm)
...for the persistent rotten egg odor, which is caused by a very narrow set of conditions. Contaminated catalytic converter, or an excessively rich fuel mixture. Since the cat was replaced 2000 miles ago, that narrows the possibilities to one. Also, I got 24+ out of my 2001 Forester (destroyed on 9/11). My driving habits haven't changed, and I still live in the same place and drive to the same places. This car gives off a bad smell and gets nearly 20% less mpg. Those two together with the known performance of an identical vehicle under the same conditions I think bears me out.   The smell today, during a mere 60 miles of driving, was choking. SoA is supposed to see the car again on Tuesday. I have high hopes...
#65 of 18388 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jun 30, 2002 (8:23 pm)
Hmmm...I wonder if the fuel enrichment isn't shutting down as the temperature reaches normal.
#66 of 18388 Re: Bad gas mileage..... by hciaffa Jul 01, 2002 (3:28 am)
We Have a 99 Forester L Auto tranny, with almost 30,000 miles on it (it should be broken in by now)and we get about 15-16 in city and about 19-20 on the highway. I have gone over this with our dealer and back in 99 went over this with a SOA rep. He told us that we live in New England so its hilly and the mileage will be poor and he said to "live with it". Dealer said he can do nothing because no info from SOA. We are careful drivers and I maintain the Forester well such as air pressure and alignment even switched to Mobil 1 in the tranny , oil and diffs. We don't do jack rabbit starts. I even did a gas mileage log for SOA for about 6 months and I used pretty much the same name brand gas and the mileage was still poor but the response was that it must be us. We even drove one day on the highway on a trip to Vermont up I91 doing 55 mph to see if it got better and the average was still 20-20.5 mpg. when we first bought the Forester the mileage was much better about 21 city and 24 highway but after 2weeks of owning it the tranny blew and instead of a new one they re built it. Much to my arguing, and the mileage has been poor ever since. When I brought this up with the service manager that maybe having the tranny re built is creating the problem he sad I had no confidence in the service that they offered. Sad to say we had just finished having our daughter finish collage and paid off their loans and we decided to buy a new car and settled on the Forester for my wife to use. Its pretty sad when you invest the money into something like this and have blame but back on our shoulders. This car has had other problems as well including the notorious brake squeel. Thats another story. Any way we have no confidence in this vehicle and its pretty bad when my Ranger 4x4 gets better gas mileage than the Forester. Buy another Subaru, pretty hard to do/ Recommend one to a friend I don't think so.
#67 of 18388 hciaffa by lark6 Jul 01, 2002 (5:29 am)
Have been following your Forester tales of woe for some time. Seems to me that you have, if not a lemon, at least one of a bad batch. What surprises me is that you still have the car.   My Forester has not been without its problems as well - mostly related to rear wheel bearing failures - and I have had some frustration in dealing with Subaru dealers' attempts to correct the problem. Mostly this has been along the classic "they all do that" or "you are hearing things" line. However, SoA corporate has treated me very well throughout the process and that has gone a long way with me. While I'm not 100% sure that my car is "bulletproof" I at least know that someone in Cherry Hill has a vested interest in leaning on their dealer network to set things right.   For what it's worth, auto manufacturers pay attention and improve product once they lose customer base and market share, as well as when they are subject to very public criticism such as we can give in these fora. If you haven't sought recourse under the lemon laws in your state, perhaps you should. If not, cut your losses and get rid of the car.   Good luck, Ed
#68 of 18388 Re post #65...for lark6 by hciaffa Jul 01, 2002 (8:00 am)
In CT. I did not qualify for lemon law because of certain qualifications. Not in the dealer enough didn't stay overnight. Manufacturer made attempts, yada, yada, yada. W e are just frutrated in the way everything has gone with this vehicle. Though the Forester has defects it is a pleasent vehicle to drive and my wife enjoys driving it. I was waiting for the 2003's to come out and maybe were a gluton for punishment we may get another.
#69 of 18388 Can't say as I blame you, hciaffa by lark6 Jul 01, 2002 (9:20 am)
Sorry to hear you couldn't gain recourse through CT lemon laws. I hope that I don't find myself in the same situation. I agree with you about the Forester's driving characteristics - it is a very satisfying car to drive and I continue to find new uses and situations where it works very well.   From my own perspective I am heartened to hear from several sources that the wheel bearing design for the new Impreza (and, hence, the new Forester on which it is based) has been changed. Of course I will wait and see how those who have bought '03s will fare.   Again, good luck.   Ed
#70 of 18388 H6 mpg by otis123 Jul 01, 2002 (9:56 am)
My LLBean struggled to get over 19 mpg for at least the first 10K miles. Now (25K miles) it averages around 21 to 22mpg mixed 75% 75mph highway and 25% around town.   I just recorded 25mpg (yeah!) over the weekend with a long road trip (90% highway), full air and at about 80mph.   Mileage seems to be better when I go faster with max air on? Can't figure that one out....   Ralph

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