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Subaru B9 Tribeca Engine Problems

97 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2010 at 10:53 AM

You are in the Subaru B9 Tribeca Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru B9 Tribeca, Engine, SUV

Messages Page 8 of 10

#68 of 97 Re: Stranded by my 2007 Tribeca [chuck68] by ateixeira

Jun 18, 2009 (11:11 am)

Replying to: chuck68 (Jun 17, 2009 2:18 pm)
I'm not sure about the Tribeca but my 98 Forester had just one single coil for all 4 cylinders.

#69 of 97 06 B9 Tribeca startup problems by cambrinb

Oct 26, 2009 (5:08 pm)

Hey guys, I brought my 06 Tribeca back in March of this year. Just today are we seeing a problem where it doesn't even start. A few days for the last week we have just seen some hiccups while starting up. We figured it was just the change in temperature. But today it doesn't start, the engine doesn't turn. There is a loud whiny clicking noise when you turn the key. All the lights come on. Everything in the interior works.
 
If you have any ideas or information please send them my way quick. If you need more info just ask me.
Thank You.

#70 of 97 more info by cambrinb

Oct 26, 2009 (6:12 pm)

And when i try and start it there's a code that is display on the odometer: ER IU.

#71 of 97 Re: more info [cambrinb] by bvsmith

Nov 04, 2009 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: cambrinb (Oct 26, 2009 6:12 pm)
My wife's Legacy GT had the same "ER IU" code showing after we jump-started it. The dealer didn't know what the code meant. Don't trust the dealers in diagnosing this issue. I read in another forum that the following sequence might work:
1. Disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery and ensure it stays disconnected while you are in the car. Bend it a little so it doesn't "creep" back to it's usual place.
2. Press the brake pedal and hold for 30 seconds to completely discharge the electrical system. While pressing the brake pedal, turn the key to the "start" position for about 5 seconds. Then turn the key to the "off" position and release the brake pedal.
3. Reconnect the positive battery cable to the battery.
4. Turn the key to the "on" position and wait for at least 30 seconds. Sometime during the 30 seconds, the "ER IU" message should change to the odometer reading as normal.
5. Start the car, do a test drive.
 
I just tried this and it did work. The "ER IU" message went away and I didn't notice when. I then test-drove the car and the cruise control worked fine. If this does not work, keep trying the web. Someone knows. Good luck.

#72 of 97 Re: more info [bvsmith] by ateixeira

Nov 05, 2009 (10:10 am)

Replying to: bvsmith (Nov 04, 2009 4:29 pm)
I've heard that, but if that doesn't work try leaving the battery disconnected for 20 minutes or so.
 
The brake light is supposed to use up any residual energy (didn't work for me for some reason), but giving it time will do that as well (that did).

#73 of 97 Oil Consumption test by Dealer is a joke by mistyone1

Nov 09, 2009 (5:57 pm)

Had my 08 H6 in the dealer to perform an oil consumption test after i told them that it was low on oil between oil changes. The first two checks at 1000 miles there was no noticeable difference in the level. Went on vacation from Floria to the Blue Ridge Mountains and and the dealer in Henderson ville checked the oil and they had to put in .5 qt and noted it on the form. The next 1000 miles drove around and went back to my dealer in Florida after driven 1050 miles an they said that it was down 1 qt. and that it met SOA standards of 1 qt per 1000 miles and that the car only burned 1.5 qt. for the 4000 miles. They guess that it was a qt low and did not fill it up. The next day I filled it up and it took 1.5 qts to the level mark. SOA says that if it burns over 1 qt per 1000 miles, do a compression check. It seems like when driving at interstate speed and in the mountain, the car is under stress and burns oil. Has anyone had similar problems and how did you get them resolved. It's not the oil filter, it is dry as a bone.

#74 of 97 Re: Oil Consumption test by Dealer is a joke [mistyone1] by benjarrett

Nov 13, 2009 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: mistyone1 (Nov 09, 2009 5:57 pm)
I had the same dealer oil analysis done on my 2008 Tribeca. The car had about 12,000 miles at the time. It took great effort to find a dealer that would agree to do the analysis. They claimed 1qt for 1000 miles is normal for Tribeca's. I spoke to four different dealers before I found one that seemed honest.
 
The first time the dealer topped it off after 1000 miles, they said they put in .8qts with the oil level on the dipstick at the bottom of the E hole. When I checked the dipstick it was overfilled by about 1/2 a qt. I took the car back and they removed the extra oil. I brought it back after 1000 miles again. They added a 1qt. but when I checked it was overfilled again. I asked if overfilling was their technique to disprove an oil consumption issue. I did this four times in total. Only once did they not overfill it. Then they agreed to do the wet/dry compression test. It came back normal. 125-135psi per cylinder. I was then told that 1qt per 1000 miles was acceptable and that usage had to be over 1qt per 1000 miles. SOA and Zone/Area rep confirmed this and stood behind the dealer.
 
When I picked up the car the dealer wrote on the Repair Order that I had tampered with the test and was purposely draining out the oil between each 1000 miles. I was horrified and asked the dealer why they would write that, yet not say anything about it to me in person. The dealer said they had marked the drain nut with a plastic ring but it was missing when I brought the car on the last test. I reminded the dealer that I had a quick release valve not a drain nut, and perhaps their plastic ring fell off?
 
The car now has 28,000 miles on it and it drinks oil like water. No dealer will touch it. The only theory that has been given to me is that I probably did not break the car in hard enough and that resulted in cylinder glazing. I've owned a lot of cars and none of them use a qt every 1000 miles. I hate adding oil every week. I despise Subaru and will never own another one. It bugs me so much, that sometimes I'm tempted to pay an independent shop to re-hone the cylinders and install new rings. I've read oil consumption without smoke can only be via the EGR valve or cylinder consumption. But the $4-6000 I have been quoted is not worth it. That would buy a lot of oil.
 
Cars use oil and I've read boxer engines use more, but most Tribeca owners I talk too don't have this problem. I guess my Tribeca is defective and I'm stuck with it. My stomach sours every time I lay eyes on that car.

#75 of 97 Re: Oil Consumption test by Dealer is a joke [benjarrett] by xwesx

Nov 13, 2009 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: benjarrett (Nov 13, 2009 5:12 pm)
That car is still under warranty. Raise hell or bring suit against the company, and I'm sure they will do something about it.
 
It is NOT normal. I have owned four Subaru's and not a one used oil. Well, okay, the '96 with 220,000 miles on it would drink maybe a pint every 1000 miles, but that was a gradual progression over many, many miles.

#76 of 97 Re: Oil Consumption test by Dealer is a joke [benjarrett] by mistyone1

Nov 14, 2009 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: benjarrett (Nov 13, 2009 5:12 pm)
Update, after arguing with the service manager, I got the general manager to approve a compression test. They showed me the results and every thing was in SOA guidelines 185- 215psi. Anything below 164psi is bad. Of course they performed the test with out a load and just crank the engine to 350rpm. Just because their test passed does not mean that the car is not burning oil, especially at interstate speeds or when the car is pulling something.
 
 If your car ia an H6, I would definitely take it back to the dealer if it check out 125-135 psi. Also your car engine is under warranty for 5 years or 50,000 miles. There can be some bad engines out there, I don't think SOA is that perfect in producing an engine that is trouble free. Maybe they are aware of the problem and it would cost the company too much to recall all of the H6 and fix the problem.
 
I just don't trust there test procedures. Four days prior, my battery went dead and had to have my son jump start it. Took it down the next day and they performed their load test and showed me the results, everything was up to standard. Made me look like a fool and they where kind of smug and "see there is nothing wrong" attitude. The next day the car would not start again, this time I called there roadside service to jump start it. The next day it did the same thing, this time roadside hauled it down to Subaru to fix. When I picked it up they were very surprised that there test did not determine it was a bad battery. So don't believe everything they tell you, research it.
 
What kind of oil do you use, I change my own to Castro 5w-30 with a top of the line Fran filter.
 
 
 
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#77 of 97 Re: Oil Consumption test by Dealer is a joke [mistyone1] by benjarrett

Nov 20, 2009 (5:15 pm)

Replying to: mistyone1 (Nov 14, 2009 12:38 pm)
For the first 20,000 miles I used 5W-30. Tried Castrol, Mobil 1, and Valvoline. Mobil 1 burned the fastest.
Since then I have also used 10W-30 and tried a 20W-50 in the summer. That helped, but I know it puts extra stress on the oil pump.
 
I was not aware the compression test numbers should be 185-215psi. They told me 125-135 was the normal range and everyone else (SOA, other dealers etc.) I spoke to at Subaru confirmed that.
I could not find the compression numbers in the technical manual either. I would need some sort of official supporting documentation or the dealer is not going to touch it.

Messages Page 8 of 10

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