A few ongoing problems with 2002 Forrester

[mtbtom]

1. Back fire or "poping" sounds from the exhaust. Happens when I'm shifting from first or second gear. Seems to happen more when it's 50 - 60 degrees F. Dealer says they hook the car up to the computer and everything checks out fine (and they can't recreate it on the road test) Are they feeding me a line?

 

2. Small cloud of smoke when I start the car sometimes after it's been sitting. (Not really sure if it's blue or white) Dealer tells me it's normal - the car is running lean when it's cold.

 

3. Burning smell when driving on snowy roads. (Like when the AWD is kicking in?) Smells like the clutch ! Hasn't happened lately but I plan to take it in for this.

 

Thanks for any advice!!

T

[1 Lucky Texan]

Seems possibly 2 different problems. strange

 

Would it be possible to smell the 'smoke on startup'? If sweet,caramel like smell, that is coolant and a definite issue to be examined immediately. Actually, now I think of it, your dealer is putting you off I think. If they are telling you it's normal, have them start one up and show you the smoke. It can really only be 4 things, fuel, oil, condensed water or coolant. 3 of those are not good in a newish car.

[nickb21]

I've got the same "popping" ( http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/usmb/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5303 )

 

My only concern is for my O2 sensor(s), hope it doesn't get damaged from this.

 

I'm starting to think it's just a side-affect of being a low-emmision vehicle, maybe the ECU is trying to regulate the fuel more efficiently and this is an unexpected result... would be nice to know more though.

[83projectbrat]

get the control unit reprogramed for the popping, also is it a summer day when it smokes or is it cold out? how many miles on this car?

 

matt

[mtbtom]

Hello:

 

Thanks for the great advice. There's 30,000 miles on the car right now. The smoke seems to be more noticiable after the car has been sitting for a few days. ( it does not get driven every day ) I'll pay more attention and respond at a later date.

 

I'll also add the the "hydraulic timing belt adjuster" had to be replaced at 15,000 miles ! Probably trade it in when the warranty runs out if things keep going this way.

 

T

[myles]

Originally posted by mtbtom

1. Back fire or "poping" sounds from the exhaust. Happens when I'm shifting from first or second gear. Seems to happen more when it's 50 - 60 degrees F. Dealer says they hook the car up to the computer and everything checks out fine (and they can't recreate it on the road test) Are they feeding me a line?

 

2. Small cloud of smoke when I start the car sometimes after it's been sitting. (Not really sure if it's blue or white) Dealer tells me it's normal - the car is running lean when it's cold.

 

3. Burning smell when driving on snowy roads. (Like when the AWD is kicking in?) Smells like the clutch ! Hasn't happened lately but I plan to take it in for this.

 

Thanks for any advice!!

T

 

I get the pop sound from time to time. I think it's caused by the ignition of unburned fuel in the cat.

 

The smoke's probably not normal, and the dealer's lying and/or incompetent. Cars run _rich_ when cold, not lean. You see, oxygen sensors don't spring to life 'til they reach a certain temperature. Until then, the engine runs in open-loop mode, meaning the input from the oxygen sensor is not used to adjust the air-fuel mixture. To prevent a knock-inducing lean condition, the ECU errs on the side of caution and selects a slightly rich mixture.

 

With the exception of the WRX STI, the all-wheel drive doesn't "kick in" on cars equipped with the manual transmission. The viscous coupling in the center differential will tend to equalize the speeds at which the front and rear axles turn, when the difference in speeds between the two is enough to shear the fluid enough to cause it to thicken. I doubt this is the source of the smell. Perhaps it's the smell of coolant cooking on a hot surface (exhaust)?

[myles]

Originally posted by mtbtom

Hello:

 

Thanks for the great advice. There's 30,000 miles on the car right now. The smoke seems to be more noticiable after the car has been sitting for a few days. ( it does not get driven every day ) I'll pay more attention and respond at a later date.

 

I'll also add the the "hydraulic timing belt adjuster" had to be replaced at 15,000 miles ! Probably trade it in when the warranty runs out if things keep going this way.

 

T

 

Why was the timing belt tensioner replaced? Was it noisy? I'm trying to decide if my cold-engine noise is piston slap or a bad tensioner.

[mtbtom]

The engine was knocking pretty bad when it was cold. I took it in and they replaced that part.

[myles]

Originally posted by mtbtom

The engine was knocking pretty bad when it was cold. I took it in and they replaced that part.

 

Was it quiet after they replace the tensioner?

[mtbtom]

Yes, the knocking stopped when they replaced the part.

[BlueSoob]

If it makes you feel any better, Before 36,000 miles, I had replaced the ECM, the clutch, the door seals, spark plugs, airbags, airbag sensors, - and that was outside of routine maintenance. It really did frighten me about what was to become of my car. I panicked and bought the extended warrenty. But ever since I passed the 36,000 mile mark, the car has given me ABSOLUTELY NO trouble whatsoever. (except the howl which I think is coming from the tires) No biggie.

 

Don't worry yet.

[tacode]

It really did frighten me about what was to become of my car. I panicked and bought the extended warrenty. But ever since I passed the 36,000 mile mark, the car has given me ABSOLUTELY NO trouble whatsoever.

 

So, once you buy the extended warrenty, SOA will turn off the "premature failure" option for you?!?:D Man, I shoulda gotten the extended warrenty!

 

(except the howl which I think is coming from the tires)

Seriously though, make sure the howling isn't your rear bearings going. My rear passenger bearing started going and I blamed the tires for the longest time - it "howled" at speeds over 40mph. My mechanic knew what it was instantly and replaced the orginal Forester bearing with a Legacy-type one.

[blitz]

Originally posted by mtbtom

1. Back fire or "poping" sounds from the exhaust. Happens when I'm shifting from first or second gear. Seems to happen more when it's 50 - 60 degrees F. Dealer says they hook the car up to the computer and everything checks out fine (and they can't recreate it on the road test) Are they feeding me a line?

I'll second the dealer ECU reflash fix for this.

 

2. Small cloud of smoke when I start the car sometimes after it's been sitting. (Not really sure if it's blue or white) Dealer tells me it's normal - the car is running lean when it's cold.

The only thing I'm aware that would cause this would be oil seeping into the combustion chambers overnight via the valve guides. Didn't think this was a problem on subes however. I used to have a late 70's GM that did this.

 

3. Burning smell when driving on snowy roads. (Like when the AWD is kicking in?) Smells like the clutch ! Hasn't happened lately but I plan to take it in for this.

After some spirited snowbank slalom work, I get a burning smell like this on my '02 OBS. It's the front transaxle seals leaking onto the cat converter.