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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 33 of 44

#321 of 439 Re: 2006 Forester HG leak? [erikwi] by aatherton

Dec 20, 2009 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: erikwi (Dec 16, 2009 4:00 am)
"... If I can find someone to flush, then I won't worry about changing the filter out..."
 
If my 2008 had still had an ATF filter, I would want it changed with a flush. It would become filled with the crud that the solvent and flushing was removing.
 
"... when I was a Honda/Acura tech... the mid-90's models didn't have a filter at all, just a screen inside to catch the large particles, thus the reason to do a drain/fill every 15k..."
 
The Subaru 4EAT has always had an internal screen. The draining the ATF does not lift and remove material from the screen.

#322 of 439 Re: Extended warranty on HG leak? [vtdog] by aatherton

Dec 20, 2009 (12:43 pm)

Replying to: vtdog (Dec 19, 2009 1:50 pm)
"... Does SOA have a "policy" of extended warranty to cover the HG problem?"
 
Not officially. I think it helps if the car was serviced at a Subaru dealer every 30 months or 30,000 mile with new Subaru coolant and Subaru sealant additive. If the old coolant was left in for 90K miles, or replaced with the wrong type of coolant, or the sealant additive not used, Subaru might not be as generous.

#323 of 439 04 xt forrester check eng lt, cps senor and misfire code by jef123

Jan 09, 2010 (11:00 am)

got crank positon sensor code as well as misfire on all cyls, does this mean I need a new cps sensor? runs great around town, but dont take it on a trip! Have been through two turbos and engine rebuild at dealer warrantee expense. Now off warrantee and have encountered these new codes. Would like to resolve before selling car. HELP!! When last to dealer they claim functioning to spec for $85 fee. Maybe cps sensor malfunctions due to sustained elevated temp? Car has never shown any overheating problems. Possible the turbo creates this on trips? I think that the turbo puts too much stress on this otherwise dependable engine. Othewise i love this car but I am being forced to sell due to reliability, dont ever buy a turbo! Four strikes and thats enough. any advise on the cps code would be appreciated.

#324 of 439 Re: 04 xt forrester check eng lt, cps senor and misfire code [jef123] by jef123

Jan 27, 2010 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: jef123 (Jan 09, 2010 11:00 am)
I dont think any body reads this stuff!
jeff

#325 of 439 Re: 04 xt forrester check eng lt, cps senor and misfire code [jef123] by xwesx

Jan 27, 2010 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: jef123 (Jan 27, 2010 2:31 pm)
We read it, but do not always reply - it depends on whether folks think they have something meaningful to contribute.
 
If you are getting a crank position sensor code in conjunction with misfires in all cylinders, there is a very good chance that is the problem. If that sensor (or the camshaft sensor) is not sending, the ignition coil is not going to fire at the correct time.

#326 of 439 Re: 04 xt forrester check eng lt, cps senor and misfire code [jef123] by ateixeira

Jan 28, 2010 (10:56 am)

Replying to: jef123 (Jan 27, 2010 2:31 pm)
I read it also, but have no experience with such a problem so I had nothing to add, unfortunately.

#327 of 439 Did I miss anything? by imaginary

Feb 12, 2010 (10:31 pm)

I'm no car mechanic so the questions will be... yeah; you've been warned. I'm trying to recall common problems found in the 2010 Subaru Forester models that I've read about online.
 
How do you know if one of your head gaskets has blown or is broken? Is it as obvious as the engine making sounds that are not normal for a working engine (or just breaks down literally)? Or is it a slow process of continuous engine break down unnoticeable until it gets very expensive and finally yells "Are you blind? I'm right here!" when it's too late?
 
The whole thing with turbo engines falling apart after 500 or so miles or so has been fixed so far, right?
 
I'm sure I'm missing other common problems found in the Subaru Forester engine-wise. What did I miss? I know there's some turbo lag, according to one car review source (I forget the name). I'm assuming that's usually normal for turbocharged engines? There's always going to be some kind of lag regardless of how long it takes the turbo to finally kick in, right?

#328 of 439 Re: Did I miss anything? [imaginary] by ateixeira

Feb 13, 2010 (6:40 am)

Replying to: imaginary (Feb 12, 2010 10:31 pm)
Very little.
 
The older 2l turbos in the '02 WRX had more lag.
 
The 2.5l has AVCS plus more displacement. It's also not a high-pressure turbo, so it spools up quickly.
 
If you look at the torque curve of the 2.5l, it's enviable. Compared to, say, the benchmark V6 for this class, the RAV4's 2GR 3.5l V6, the torque peak arrives much sooner.

#329 of 439 Re: Did I miss anything? [ateixeira] by imaginary

Feb 13, 2010 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 13, 2010 6:40 am)
Ah, I see. I've never driven a turbo before. It responds like any other engine when trying to pass slow moving cars on the highway, right?

#330 of 439 Re: Did I miss anything? [imaginary] by aatherton

Feb 13, 2010 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: imaginary (Feb 12, 2010 10:31 pm)
"... How do you know if one of your head gaskets has blown or is broken?..."
 
It takes years and tens of thousands of miles. It mainly affected Foresters before 2004. It is caused by the open deck design of the cylinder blocks, which stresses the gasket. That basic design has not changed, but Subaru has improved the gaskets and required a sealant to be part of the coolant.
 
There may be one or more of various signs:
1. Coolant seepage visible along the gasket seam on the under side of the head is usually the first sign, but only visible by getting under the car.
2. Loss of coolant from the overflow tank requiring topping up is what most people notice first.
3. Bubbles in coolant from exhaust gasses.
4. Oil residue in coolant.
5. Bubbles, foaming or discoloration of oil from coolant.
These happen very slowly, but if allowed to continue long enough to lower the coolant level and cause overheating, then the engine can be damaged.
  
"... The whole thing with turbo engines falling apart after 500 or so miles or so has been fixed so far, right? ..."
 
It was a limited run of VIN numbers. It often took thousand of miles to happen. The cars that were sold have mostly all been fixed by engine replacement, as very few cases are still turning up. The engines were not actually falling apart. It was disintegration of copper connecting rod bearing shells:
 
"... FHI have identified the problem as abnormal wear on con rod big end bearings..."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- n-08-09-models-31757/index5.html#post372840
 
"... Turbo Engine Stop Sale checking Procedure.
Engine Screening Procedure Two... A) If there are copper particles larger that 1 mm in the material residue, the engine is damaged.... It may be necessary to clean the particles to determine if they are copper. Copper is reddish in color..."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- n-08-09-models-31757/index10.html#post381869

Messages Page 33 of 44

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