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Subaru Forester Transmission Questions

182 messages,  Last post on Aug 29, 2010 at 9:02 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Transmission

Messages Page 17 of 19

#153 of 182 Re: Maintenance - Clutch [onoffroad] by grahampeters

Jul 10, 2009 (1:37 am)

Replying to: onoffroad (Jul 09, 2009 2:40 pm)
G'day
 
If the vehicle has reasonable wear, it sounds like brake master cylinder on its way out. Not a hugely expensive repair but necessary after about 80,000 miles if clutch has been heavily used.
 
Cheers
 
Graham

#154 of 182 Transmission downshift and check engine light by needy1900

Sep 05, 2009 (9:42 am)

Hi, sporadically the automatic transmission will not down shift while going up a grade or hill. There is also a sporadic issue with the check engine light going on. It seems that the transmission has downshifting issues when the check engine light is on. Sometimes the check engine light comes on at start up and other times it can come on while driving but it is not on all the time. Both issues are sporadic but atleast once a day.
 
Can you offer any guidance?

#155 of 182 Re: Transmission downshift and check engine light [needy1900] by xwesx

Sep 05, 2009 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: needy1900 (Sep 05, 2009 9:42 am)
Get a code reader.... It would pay for itself in no-time at all! If you can get the codes, you would have a much better idea of what is happening.

#156 of 182 98 Forester S clutch by subidoo

Oct 22, 2009 (6:35 am)

Just joining the forum. I see a bunch of people with same issue here and curious how much "time" I have left on my clutch, if that is indeed what's up. Just did the 4th gear start trick: she rolled forward about 1/2 way up the clutch and then started to stall, as one would expect so she's not totally toast yet. I'm having the infamous clutch shudder in 1st when starting out, much worse when going uphill than flat (obviously) AND she really hates to go into reverse (grinds and then drops in - I start the car AFTER she's in reverse now!). The rest of the gears are flawless. Is there a possibility it's something OTHER than a full clutch replacement that's needed????
I just bought the car private party ($2000 so I'm not bitching- she's leather & loaded + the head gaskets, timing belt, etc done in the last 1000 miles) so I don't know what her history is but she rides GREAT other than the clutch issue. All help and ideas MUCH appreciated!!!

#157 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [subidoo] by paisan

Oct 22, 2009 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: subidoo (Oct 22, 2009 6:35 am)
How many miles on the clutch? Reverse is always an issue especially on the subies, but shouldn't be that bad to get into.
 
Clutches go about 60-80k miles on the subies, so you are probably due.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#158 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [paisan] by subidoo

Oct 23, 2009 (3:52 am)

Replying to: paisan (Oct 22, 2009 8:11 pm)
Mileage on clutch - that's the "unknown". The car has 167k on it so sounds like she should be getting ready to get clutch #3. The fact that it passed the "4th gear test" seemed promising though. Any other signs of impending doom we should watch for or could it just give out at any time???

#159 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [subidoo] by xwesx

Oct 23, 2009 (9:47 am)

Replying to: subidoo (Oct 23, 2009 3:52 am)
I recommend, as a start, that you replace the transmission fluid in order to ascertain the condition of the fluid that is currently in there. That can tell you quite a bit about the condition of the gears inside.

#160 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [xwesx] by paisan

Oct 23, 2009 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Oct 23, 2009 9:47 am)
On any new-used car I do a complete 30k or 60k on it. Including replacing all fluids etc. This will give you a good baseline.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#161 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [paisan] by subidoo

Oct 24, 2009 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Oct 23, 2009 9:19 pm)
Thanks for the advice guys- will let you know how it goes. Discovering it shifts great when cold, only gets really bad after driving alot, especially if using reverse alot. We'll see. -J

#162 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [paisan] by ateixeira

Oct 27, 2009 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Oct 23, 2009 9:19 pm)
Great advice and I will repeat it...
 
ESTABLISH A BASELINE ON ALL FLUIDS WHEN YOU BUY A USED CAR.
 
I bought an 8 year old Miata, and the seller gave me receipts for a 30k service that was just done.
 
Changed the oil anyway - it was clear.
 
Change the gear box/front diff oil - it was good.
 
Flushed the brake fluid - it was still yellow.
 
Then I went to change the rear diff - looked like melted chocolate! Yikes! The stuff was nasty, way WAAAAAY beyond the point where it should have been changed.
 
You never know, even with written receipts, you just never know how old those fluids are.
 
The clutch was hydraulic (brake fluid) and when I went to bleed that system it was also way past-due (brown). It ended up ruining the clutch slave cylinder, which I had to replace.
 
Do not trust the first owner or even shop receipts.

Messages Page 17 of 19

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