Mallory

I tried back flushing already and it didn't help. I had another thread on this, but my problem is my heater is only producing heat on the driver's side. I've tried bleeding the air out of the system too, but I didn't try it with the front of the car raised up. That idea makes good sense, so I'll try that next. I'm willing to try about anything if I can avoid pulling the heater core out!

I've tried everything suggested in another thread to get my heater working and nothing helped, so the next step is to replace the heater core. What will I be getting into with that project? Can I do it without tearing the whole dashboard out? Any tips or tricks to make it easier? Thanks!

I tried the throttle blip for a few minutes and still nothing. I'll try flushing next. I'm guessing you have to about tear the whole dash out in order to get the heater core out?

Ahhh...... I held the throttle steady, I didn't blip. I'll try that again. Would it help to bleed the air out if I left the radiator cap off?

Well I tried everything mentioned above and I still only have heat on one side. I guessing that flushing out the heater core is my next step?

If I have a restricted core, do I need to flush it out to get it working again? Another thought: I just had the timing belt and water pump replaced. I'm thinking maybe my mechanic didn't get all the air bled out of the system? Sounds like maybe I should start there? Thanks for the info guys!

Yes, it's single zone climate. By air in the heater core I'm guessing you mean air in the cooling system, and I need to bleed it out? Even if there was air in the heater core, why would it just blow heat on one side? It seems like the whole system would be cold. I'm not being a jerk, I'm just trying to understand. Thanks!

I noticed the other day that my 2010 Forester is only putting out heat on the driver's side, and cold air on the passenger side. It doesn't matter what setting I use for the heater, it only blows cold air out the floor, defroster, or dash on the passenger side. The driver's side seems to work fine though. I'm guessing maybe it's a broken vacuum line under the dash somewhere, assuming vacuum is what controls the heater settings. Any ideas where I should start looking?

What about this kit? They say it's all OEM parts. https://www.smartqualityparts.com/engine/79-subaru-timing-belt-kit.html?msclkid=51a2746dec001c3ed88e2832c46a2a6c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Preferred_PLAs&utm_term=4584688612649115&utm_content=Cat_Seg#/90-awpdetails-/79-model-2003_forester_at?keyword=

Does Aisin make a timing belt kit for an '03 Forester with auto trans? Every one I find listed is for a manual trans. Is there really a difference? Will the manual trans versions work with an auto? If there is a kit, can someone give me the part number of the auto kit? Thanks!

Every Aisin kit I find says it's only for manual transmission cars, and mine is an automatic. Is there a difference in belt kits? I don't see why there would be. I don't find any other kits listed that way, but I don't dare order without knowing for sure.

How can I tell which engine my car has? All I know for sure is it's a 2.5 liter single cam. Does that make it an EJ25? Is there a tag or is it stamped on the engine somewhere so I can tell for sure?

OK, you convinced me! If it turns out I need new head gaskets I'll pull the engine. Thanks for the advice!

Can I replace the head gaskets on my '03 Forester without pulling the engine out of the car? Is there room enough inside the inner fenders to get the heads off? It's looking like that is the source of my oil and anti-freeze leak.

El freddo - I have no idea on how much oil or anti-freeze it's using. I haven't driven it and my daughter wasn't the best at keeping track. That's why I wanted to know the main problem areas to look at first so I don't find them the hard way! My buddy has a shop and we're going to put it up on the lift and look it over close for leaks. From the posts I've read so far I'm thinking it will probably need head gaskets. What is the cam belt change interval on these cars?

I have a 2003 Forester that my daughter has been driving for a couple of years. It has 160,000 miles on it. It is either using or leaking oil and also either using or leaking anti-freeze. Both are slow enough that there's never any sign on it leaking on the ground, even if I leave it parked and idling for a long time. I haven't gotten into this project yet, but I'm looking for ideas as to what I should be checking. I'm pretty sure it still has the original cam belt, and I will be changing that and the water pump very soon. I'm hoping the water pump is the source of my anti-freeze leak. What are some common leaks on these cars that I should be looking at? Thanks.

I haven't been on here in a long time, but I used this site a lot to maintain my Subaru Loyale and GL, and later on some early Legacy wagons. I had to re-register to get on, so I thought I'd start here. I'm about to take on a 2011 Subaru Forester project. It leaks oil and water so I know I need to fix that. It also needs some bodywork (deer damage) and some other repairs. I'd like to put a lift kit on it and bigger tires once I get all the mechanical issues fixed. My most recent vehicle has been a Nissan Murano - and I can say without hesitation that it's no Subaru! I can't wait to part company with that and get in another Subaru, where I should have stayed to begin with.