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Subaru Forester Engine problems

439 messages,  Last post on Aug 25, 2012 at 2:58 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Engine, Wagon

Messages Page 11 of 44

#101 of 439 1998 Forester starts and stalls by jschedler

Feb 01, 2007 (5:39 am)

Subietech on another forum stated that the AT Oil
Temp light flashing is related to the MAF and that there is no limp home mode for a MAF failure.
 
Wires are less than a year and 10,000 miles old.
 
She runs good now but I have the 2.2 MAF in it. I am ordering the correct OEM MAF from Subaru

All codes in this case were MAF related. Early on in this affair, (Tuesday) I did procure the factory manual info to trouble-shoot the MAF Sensor but with my real life middle name being Thomas, I doubted the result that told me the MAF was in fact bad.
 
All is well now. I mainly posted the follow-up in order to help others with a similar probem. Online research for this problem, which was a little help, uncovered horror stories from people with similar issues but no resolution.
 
Thanks for the reply.

#102 of 439 AT Oil Temp by paisan

Feb 01, 2007 (6:42 am)

Shouldn't be related to the MAF. It should only have to do with the transmission.
 
-mike

#103 of 439 RE; Engine Clatter (knock) when cold by bluvette

Mar 03, 2007 (5:58 pm)

The dealers diagnosis was piston slap, and gave me a service bulletin saying it was normal and would not cause any damage.
This annoyance was resolved after a negative maint. survey was sent in. The dealer contacted me and wanted to look at it again. They ended up changing the cam tensioner, pulley and the cam belt. The noise is now gone, forever I hope.

#104 of 439 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket by compensate

Aug 08, 2007 (10:20 am)

We bought a used 2001 Forester S that was supposed to be in "mint" condition a few weeks ago. It drove great for about 2 hours until the engine temp gauge began rising. Long story short, mechanic said it was a head gasket problem.
 
I read the early posts on this thread about this issue with inferior head gaskets on some on the 1999-2001 (or 2002) Foresters, but I wanted to know of someone had detailed info on what it was that the dealers added to the coolant to "fix" this problem.
 
Was it some sort of "stop leak" stuff? Was it aluminum pellets?
 
Does anyone know if this was just a way for Subaru to get the car past the "extended" warranty period without having to shell out big bucks for lots of engine rebuilds?
 
By the way, this same "mint" Forester needed a new rear wheel bearing - $450! It also needed an alignment (toe was WAY off), new tires and moonroof has mechanical problems (sticks, won't open). Sigh!

#105 of 439 Re: 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket [compensate] by ateixeira

Aug 08, 2007 (10:32 am)

Replying to: compensate (Aug 08, 2007 10:20 am)
Go back to the seller. Who dumped it on you in that sort of condition? Sheesh.

#106 of 439 Re: 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket [ateixeira] by compensate

Aug 08, 2007 (11:42 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 08, 2007 10:32 am)
Yes. The seller is a long story, too. Nowhere to be found now. Phone number disconnected, etc.

#107 of 439 Re: 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket [compensate] by ateixeira

Aug 08, 2007 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: compensate (Aug 08, 2007 11:42 am)
That stinks.
 
But I don't think that transfers the responsbility over to Subaru, clearly this vehicle was neglected.

#108 of 439 Re: 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket [ateixeira] by paisan

Aug 08, 2007 (8:44 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 08, 2007 1:27 pm)
Sounds like a car from New Orleans.....
 
-mike

#109 of 439 Re: 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket [ateixeira] by compensate

Aug 09, 2007 (11:34 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 08, 2007 1:27 pm)
Yes, this vehicle was obviously neglected.
 
I am not blaming Subaru. I have always wanted to own a Subaru for some time now. I just need an expert to tell me what the stuff was that Subaru corporate had dealers add to the cooling system. There was a service bulletin issued from Subaru for Foresters in 2000, 2001, and 2002 about this head gasket issue. The "fix" was to have dealers add something to the coolant. If it was a "stop leak" type of compound, that would be sad.
 
This will help me determine whether I should try that route again to save big bucks, or drop $1200 on a rebuild ($1200 I will have to take out a personal loan to acquire).

#110 of 439 Re: 2001 Forester S - Head Gasket [compensate] by ateixeira

Aug 09, 2007 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: compensate (Aug 09, 2007 11:34 am)
Prepare to be sad, because I think it was basically Stop Leak.
 
Did you see the MythBusters episode where cracked pepper successfully sealed a leaky radiator?

Messages Page 11 of 44

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