I have just bought a 2004 (with 200,000 kms)Forester after the recent death of my 2000 model. Have just noticed there's a faint squeal for a couple of seconds after pushing the clutch in or letting it out. Sounds like a bearing starting to go in the gearbox or drive shaft somewhere near the gear box. Does anyone have any advice? I don't have a hoist so I haven't listened from outside the car.
The second question I have is about air conditioning. There's plenty of gas in the system, it runs cold for about 5 minutes and then starts to run warm. If I then turn it off it will work again after waiting five minutes to turn it on. I took it to an air con technician who said it might be the compressor clutch had worn. He was a bit vague about the details but said something about using a puller to remove the bolts, take off the pulley wheel ad put it back on tighter to close the gap. Has anyone had the same issue with their air con, and was this the issue? Will I have to let the gas out/ get the system regassed to do it my self?
Thanks for any advice
Tim