Monacle-Pete

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. Well this turned out to be kinda strange. The problem is solved. I used the diagram in a Chilton manual for cylinder to coil connections, however, that diagram is wrong. Bennie, thank you! You set me on the path to check and recheck everything and that is how I came across the problem with the plug wires going to the wrong connections on the coil. Once I connected them properly it started right up! Thanks again! I appreciate all the help and suggestions!

NVU, thank you for that info. I will double check the big connector. I do have a thick copper ground wire connected to the engine and I cleaned the end before reconnecting it. Fuel lines are correct. I had them labeled but I will double check. I will check the coil wires and I have an extra boot laying around. Battery is freshly charged and when I was cranking I put the battery charger on boost (100A) so as not to run the battery down. Thank you for your help with this, I do appreciate it very much!

NVU, I double checked all of the connectors and hoses on the engine and intake manifold. All are tight. I ordered two new camshaft position sensors and a new crankshaft sensor to be safe. I also ordered two Variable Valve Timing solenoids because mine were looking a bit shady. They will be arriving on Thursday.

Thanks NVU, I will double check them again. 1 Lucky Texan, it is a 2009 Subaru Forester X Limited 2.5 non turbo

Hi Bennie, Thanks for the information. I feel it is a timing issue also but I've followed the steps in the manual while setting the cams and crankshaft before putting the timing belt on (see attached picture). The metal cam gear (driver side) is under tension and the plastic cam gear (passenger side) is not. Paul

I used TDC to make sure I had cylinder 1. I put the timing marks in the correct positions and then put the timing belt on.

Hey everyone, I can really use your help. I'm at a loss for what to try next. So I posted a few weeks ago about my 2009 Subaru Forster antifreeze bubbling into the overflow tank but never fully returning back into the radiator after the engine cools down. I had rebuilt it in May 2018 and used FelPro gaskets. Was running fine until I noticed the antifreeze issue and the overflow reservoir being always full. So I pulled my engine Labor day weekend (last weekend) and replaced the head gaskets (I did see where it was blowing the exhaust gases into my cooling system. Put everything back together per all the specs. So after putting it all back together and putting the engine back into the car, it wouldn't start. Kinda sounded like it was sometimes trying to start and sometimes almost like a mild backfire. Thinking I screwed up the timing I put a compression gauge on cylinder 1 and finding TDC and that my timing was set correctly. Both heads as well as the crankshaft were set correctly. I checked compression on all 4 cylinders, all good. Thinking I screwed something up I pulled it again yesterday (Saturday). Replaced all of the gaskets with new ones (MLS Subaru head gaskets) and verified TDC with the heads off. I checked the heads and pistons to see if maybe they made contact or even possibly the valves were bent. All looked good and no issues found. Put it all back together and put the engine back into the car. Put everything else back on and tried to start it. Same thing as before. Some times sounds like it is going to catch and sometimes a mild "poof" but not starting. I checked the coil and the spark plugs. All plugs are getting a spark and working. All cylinders are getting fuel. I pulled each plug after cranking to verify gas was present. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Thanks!

I just started having this same problem myself on my 2009 Forester X Limited non-turbo. There is bubbling in the radiator overflow tank and the fluid never gets sucked back into the radiator like it should. After the engine cools down (overnight), when I open the radiator can I can hear a bit of a suction. When I rebuilt it in 2018, I used FelPro gaskets and seals (including HG). I've burped the radiator twice after I just replaced the water pump, thermostat and both radiator fans. I have an uneasy suspicion that my HG is failing but I wanted to see if there is anything else that could cause this. If it does turn out to be the HG, I will pull my engine again and replace them. Thank you in advance for your help on this.