librarygal

I am sure happy that it is all going to mean improvement. I really do appreciate all the comments and advice...Pam:cool:

I forgot to say that my daughter told me she had been smelling rotten eggs for awhile before the light came on...is this the converter...it is too late to just do the sensor...the deed is done..

A call just now saying...they used a "scanner tool" to determine that the converter is worn internally...I have to trust that they are being truthful...I asked them to save the worn parts--I don't know why but my Dad always said to ask for them..just for ducks, what would I look for. You can tell I am a driver and not a mechanic...

Well, the little green monster ate 11.9 gallons for 209 miles. I figure that to be about 17.5 miles per gallon which isn't the best. Still, the work was done on it about during this tank so the next go around or two should tell the real story. I did just fill it with 89 octane tonight. We'll see if that makes a difference too. See ya in about 200 miles ya'll.

Dear Matt: Well, we are waiting to fill up the tank...have gone at this point 190 miles 3/4 of a tank. Spent $417 on a laundry list of stuff including new spark plugs a new trottle body 2 new radiator hoses (original ones still on at 129,000 miles kinda freaked out the mechanics) rebuilt the exhaust insulators inside (rattled like crazy) and flushed the power steering fluid. No codes came for sensors like the o2. it runs really well right now...I think especially because of the throttle not hesitating anymore but don't really know about the mileage yet...I was kinda shocked at $100 for changing the spark plugs alone...I guess you have to remove alot of things to get to them? Any way the parts were about $90 bucks and the labor was the rest...I'll let you know when the tank gets filled up...thanks for checking up...

Yeah, I can't believe the prices for what I thought were really easy things like spark plugs, hoses, cleaning things...but since I don't do those things and I can only hope they are being cool about it...I am going to just "put it out in the universe" and go for a road trip soon...probably have to go camping after this round of repairs...no hyatt in my future..:-\

yep, probably close to $250 buckazoids...ouch

Dear All: The little green monster is having these things done today: No codes were evident of a problem...but the spark plugs were horrible and they are being replaced. Also, they say the throttle body is really bad and needs cleaned...the tail pipe exhaust system is rattling and needs to be fixed (although they said this doesn't affect mileage) the power steering is really dark and needs to be flushed...and the radiator hoses are looking bad and they are changing them. They also suggest a higher octane gas like 89...and we should see some significant improvement...will let you know when we get her back and go through a tank or two...Thanks to everyone...this car has had alot of things fixed since we got her and I am hoping that with this, can go another few years:D

maybe THAT is IT!! I am pulling an invisible trailer!!

ha...

Matt, Would the check engine light be on if this were the case with the os sensor? It did pass smog in June...should have some answers on Friday with the mechanics...thanks again...

We live in Chico...it is around town driving for sure. We do have another subaru forester that get about 23-24 around town (manual trans)..it is a 2002 with 68K. So, I will see about the o2 sensor and etc. on Friday when I take it to the Subaru guys. btw, these two guys are really good. They used to work for the dealership here and now have their own shop. So, they should have some kind of idea when they run through the code thingy..Thanks for the reply. Pam

Dear Matt: Yep, I am doing it the correct way...thanks for checking up with me though...

In town driving...3 miles here 5 miles there..but very conservative about taking off too fast etc...hardly ever run the a/c ... I know, it's hard to believe that it is getting such poor mileage. We have a 2002 manual trans forester and it does 23 at least in the same situations...and really good on long trips. Will have the subaru guys check for codes on Friday...it did past smog in CA in July and no check engine light comes on ever...maybe just the high mileage...Ha! Rolling bricks they are...but they are my favorite.

Yep, I am going to probably get those plugs Friday...when I had the new tires put on today, they checked on the brake drag possibility and all was fine there...I am measuring the fuel by what I put in the tank. I am using the 15.9 full tank that the manual states...is that correct? Thanks alot! Seriously, a cleaner for gas gauges..who would have thought!:-p

New tires today and alignment.Had the oil changed and they checked the air filter which was fine. Checked around and saved $80 on 4 new tires and alignment. I truly think the car rides alot better! I talked to our Subaru Mechanics today and they said California gasoline isn't the greatest right now. They suggested a higher octane maybe..So, they will look at it on Friday and see if it needs tuned up. Since we mostly just putt around town, it would be good to get it out on the road for a couple hours...might try that this weekend. Now that it has new tires gotta try em out!

Thanks to all who responded. For the record, when we bought the little green monster,(presently named Tortuga.. we had the following done: replaced engine coil and #3 spark plug wires, reset computer logics, flushed the transmission, replaced timing belt--I will check with them for the o2 sensors and see about the other suggestions such as the air filter etc. I have filled the car at the same station and never go beyond the click because I have had the experience of spilling and that is never fun. One thing I did notice, the actual reading on the gas indicator never goes all the way up to full...it stays down about 1 tick mark...the first time I thought the tank was full and drove home and saw that I went back to put in more gas (because the low mileage thing is bugging me and I wanted to be sure I had it full) and it took exactly .0158 which cost .12 cents and I was truly befundled. Anyway, I don't know if this is an issue or not. Over two tanks of gas we traveled 272 miles and the car used 16.7 gallons so that's about 16 miles per gallon... Also, I had the tires checked yesterday and apparently the rear back right tire is "new" and the other three are the same depth....the guy at the tire store said this can ruin the transmission...Is this true? Should I also go get new tires? Could this be affecting the mileage...sorry to be so long winded...and to not give all this info in the first post...guess it's the busy mom syndrome

Hello...purchased a 2001 2.5 automatic with 127K. Had everything gone over including flushing transmission, brakes etc...but sadly I have been tracking the gas mileage and today found that I had gone 98 miles on about 7.8 gallons. Not good news. The car seems to run fine...I checked my math and looked back over receipts and verified the gallons and mileage just to be sure...any suggestions? Thanks as always, Pam:-\

Thanks so much, I'll try to look up the recall and ask them about it.

will do, thanks! It is the "S" model.

thanks so much, will do.

Hello all, I have an opportunity to buy a 2001 subaru forester for my daughter. It has 127K on it and seems good, but I read in consumer reports that this year forester had "drive train" as "poor". What if anything should I be looking at or does anyone know what they are referring too? It is a nice little car and she will be commuting to college in it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hello, This is my first post. Just purchased a 02 Forester L. Want to know if I can buy a 98 retractable cargo cover and have it fit the 02. Thanks, Pam