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Subaru B9 Tribeca Transmisson Problems

113 messages,  Last post on Feb 13, 2013 at 8:13 PM

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

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

Messages Page 10 of 12

#84 of 113 Unresolved Issue by ttribecca

Sep 28, 2011 (8:32 am)

About a month ago my B9 Tribecca started to "chug" when I started it. The chugging would stop and I would drive, then the car started hesitating and seemed like it was losing power. Then the check engine light came on. I took it in to the Subaru dealer. They said put a bottle of gas booster in, and put in premium gas. Then bring the car back in for a re-check. I did that, the check engine light came on, car was chugging on start and hesitating again in a few days. I took it in again. They couldn't find anything wrong with it. Told me to do the same thing I did before.
 
I have since tried a cleaner added to the gas, but that doesn't seem to help either, same problems exist. I did notice that the last two times when it has gone down to 1/4 tank, the engine light goes off, and the car runs better.
 
Any ideas as to what is wrong with the car? This is very frustrating.
 
Thanks.

#85 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [ttribecca] by xwesx

Sep 28, 2011 (8:45 am)

Replying to: ttribecca (Sep 28, 2011 8:32 am)
What was the code being recorded in the system? If you weren't given that information from the dealer, you might consider picking up a code reader (they cost $100 or less) and pulling it yourself the next time.
 
I almost think it is a problem with the knock sensor.

#86 of 113 filter may be dirty by 1bcpastor

Sep 28, 2011 (8:49 am)

I understand your frustration. Ours was very similar. We finally had to pull the fuel tank because it contained dirt/sediment that was clogging the fuel filter (sending unit in tank). After cleaning it out & replacing the filter, it has been fine. It doesn't take much sediment to cause problems in the fuel system. I found that I could shut the engine off for a minute or two and then it would run fine on restart. they said that would release the sediment from the sending unit & allow it to get "clean" fuel from the tank. We run premium 98% of the time; and try to limit the places we get fuel when possible. Hope that helps. BTW: it's not cheap to pull the tank, flush it, replace filter, and put it back together (approx. $2100 at the Dealer).

#87 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [xwesx] by ttribecca

Sep 28, 2011 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 28, 2011 8:45 am)
The dealer never mentioned the code. Can I just ask them for it? Shouldn't they have it in their documents? Also, stupid question, but what does the code tell you?

#88 of 113 Re: filter may be dirty [1bcpastor] by ttribecca

Sep 28, 2011 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: 1bcpastor (Sep 28, 2011 8:49 am)
hmm...I'll check this out. I have an extended warranty, so hopefully it would be covered. I'll look into that.
 
Interesting thing is, the last oil change showed some sediment in the old oil. Wondering if that is related.

#89 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [ttribecca] by xwesx

Sep 28, 2011 (7:04 pm)

Replying to: ttribecca (Sep 28, 2011 12:08 pm)
It should be documented. The code tells you which sensor(s) was out of spec, which can give someone diagnosing the issue some clues as to what went wrong. For example, if a misfire was thrown, then you know it was a fuel, air, or timing issue (or combination of those), and that can help pinpoint the problem. Since this message is in a "transmission problem" thread, one might conclude that you suspect your transmission... yet it may have nothing to do with it.

#90 of 113 Re: filter may be dirty [ttribecca] by xwesx

Sep 28, 2011 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: ttribecca (Sep 28, 2011 12:10 pm)
Sediment? That's not good. Consider an oil analysis so that you know what is actually in there; that could tell you something as well. They are pretty cheap at $25. I send mine to a company called Blackstone Labs.

#91 of 113 Re: filter may be dirty [xwesx] by ttribecca

Sep 29, 2011 (8:33 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 28, 2011 7:05 pm)
Thank you, will try that.

#92 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [xwesx] by ttribecca

Sep 29, 2011 (2:09 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 28, 2011 7:04 pm)
Just called dealer, only code was P0303 w/other cylinder misfires.

#93 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [ttribecca] by xwesx

Sep 29, 2011 (10:57 pm)

Replying to: ttribecca (Sep 29, 2011 2:09 pm)
Okay, so have we established the number of miles on your car? If you're getting misfires, I would start with ensuring the health of the spark plug wires, the plugs themselves, and then the distributor. You can check resistance in the wires with a multimeter tool in the ohmmeter setting.
 
If those things check out fine, and since you have already gone through the fuel system, I would consider replacing the knock sensor and see what happens. I had a knock sensor issue with my 1996 Outback, and it never registered in the computer. Yet, once replaced, it cleared up a whole array of issues (some serious, some just annoying). It was definitely the best money I ever spent on that car.

Messages Page 10 of 12

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