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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 23 of 44

#220 of 439 2006 Forester Engine Seized by firemanandy

Apr 26, 2008 (7:51 pm)

My 2006 Forester stopped a week ago. After it was towed to Subaru I was informed that the reason the engine clanged to a stop is that there was carbon buildup in the engine. While I do have 67,000 miles on this less than 3 year old car I have also had four other Subs and have never had a major problem. Sommechanics I have talked to said this "carbon" explanation sounds bogus. Any suggestions on the issue and also how to deal with Subaru?

#221 of 439 Re: 2006 Forester Engine Seized [firemanandy] by aatherton

Apr 27, 2008 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: firemanandy (Apr 26, 2008 7:51 pm)
A friend's Element began to run poorly and suffered a drop in mpg at 30K and continued to 60K when it got so bad she took it the dealer. It was diagnosed with carbon build up on the valves. They offered a chemical treatment, very costly but cheaper than a mechanical repair. The Element ran better for awhile but then the problems appeared again. By then she had given it to her daughter and I don't know what happened to it.
You say your Forester "clanged" to a stop, and titled your post with "seizure". That sounds like mechanical failure, not carbon build up.

#222 of 439 Re: 2006 Forester Engine Seized [aatherton] by paisan

Apr 29, 2008 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Apr 27, 2008 5:29 pm)
Yeah sounds like a rod or timing belt issue.
 
-mike

#224 of 439 Burns Engine Oil by dengosa

Jun 09, 2008 (9:04 am)

I need your help please.
I purchased a 99 Forester last September. Immediately I notice a oil leak. I replaced a head gasket.
I took the car to multiple repair shops to get few opinions but the guy who did head gasket did not think there was anything wrong with the engine. He did a test on compression rings and he said they were fine.
But now, it is very obvious that the engine is burning oil.
When I start the car, there is ridiculous amount of smoke comes out. It stays smoking for about 5minutes or so and then it stops.
I have read other discussions similar problem.
I came to a conclusion that doing the valve job is the best solution for me.
If anybody has advise for me, I would really appreciate it.

#225 of 439 valve seals by kurtamaxxxguy

Jun 09, 2008 (6:55 pm)

It could be valve seals are leaking and allowing oil into intake manifold.
Compression test would not find leaking valve seals.
   
I had similar problems with two other cars.
 
Also, one of the "high mileage" oil additives could help for the short term.

#226 of 439 Re: valve seals [kurtamaxxxguy] by dengosa

Jun 13, 2008 (8:10 am)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jun 09, 2008 6:55 pm)
So, basically, I need to have "volve job: done, right??
 
How much does that cost usually???
 
And I read on the yahoo that not all mechanic would do this kind of job.
so for me to find the "right " repairman, what are the things I need to ask???

#227 of 439 HELP!!! Smoking from exaust by dengosa

Jun 13, 2008 (8:17 am)

I bought 99 Subaru Forester last year and now it is burning oil.
well, so I was told.
 
What can I do? Somepople say I need "Valve job" done. Some people say it wont fix the rpoblem, or they can not tell what it is that causes..
 
Do I really need to look into replacing the motor???
 
Please help.

#228 of 439 Re: HELP!!! Smoking from exaust [dengosa] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jun 13, 2008 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: dengosa (Jun 13, 2008 8:17 am)
I'll try to be clearer about the potential problem....if any other Subaru crew folks wish to correct me please do so.
 
Short of holed pistons or cylinder walls there are only two ways Oil can get into the combustion chamber: from the bottom (past the piston rings), or from the top (from the valve/camshaft area).
 
The compression test you had suggests the piston rings are ok. This suggests oil's getting into combustion chamber from valve/camshaft (valve block) area.
 
Valve rockers, valve stems, and camshafts are lubed by engine oil. The only "passages" between those parts, and the valve surfaces doing the actual combustion chamber sealing, are drilled passages in the valve block. Seals sitting at the top (camshaft side) of the passages "wipe" oil off the valve stems and keep it from leaking into the cylinders.
 
If those seals go bad, then vacuum in either exhaust or intake manifolds will pull oil from camshaft area into cylinders where it gets burned.
 
Two general rules: If it smokes when you are accelerating, the intake valve seals may be bad. If it smokes when you are deaccelerating, the exhaust valve seals may be bad.

#229 of 439 Re: HELP!!! Smoking from exaust [kurtamaxxxguy] by dengosa

Jun 16, 2008 (8:15 am)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jun 13, 2008 1:25 pm)
Thank you for your response.

Messages Page 23 of 44

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