1998 Forester with 333,333 miles on the odometer

[Ravenwoods]

A couple weeks ago our 1998 Forester with a manual transmission turned over 333,000 miles. We bought it in 2003 with about 110,000 miles on it. A previous owner had outfitted it to be towed behind an RV and we were told that about 50,000 miles on the odometer were towing miles, so the engine had maybe 60,000 miles on it. We had the timing belt changed at about 120,000 miles on it and it was still good and was the original belt. 

The clutch went out at about 160,000 miles and we had it redone. The body looks like hell with lots of rust around the right rear fender. Someone drove into the Forester at some stage causing some cosmetic damage, enough for the insurance company to total it. We kept it since the cosmetic damage was rather minor.  The trim that runs along the bottom below the doors on the right side was hanging so I just tore it off. 

The car still drives well and I replaced the timing belt and pulleys, spark plugs, and spark plug wires about a year ago. I have parked it for the winter as I now have a 2005 Outback that I got for a decent price that needed new struts and had a bad wheel bearing. I'm using the Foresters 16" alloy wheels on my 2005 Outback with some new Michelin X-Ice studless tires. The original alloy wheels that came with the Outback have summer tires on them. So I've got decent wheels for the Outback regardless of summer or winter. 

I'm hanging onto the old Forester as a backup car. I'm expecting visitors from Norway next summer and they could borrow that car while they are here.

So I'm not sure what part of the Forester will give problems next, probably the clutch or head gaskets. We had the head gaskets redone when we had the clutch replaced. The clutch pedal does cause some problems when we have hot weather here in Fairbanks, Alaska, when it get about 85 Fahrenheit.

Are there many of you who put over 300,000 miles on your Subaru? Maybe I should find another Subaru body that needs an engine and swap it out.

 

[el_freddo]

I just rolled a 2000 RX Liberty with the EJ251 (matching numbers) over 500,000km today. That’s the equivalent to 312,000 miles. 

It’s still going strong and has its own unique story too. Dunno what owner number we are, but it was a $500 special with 300,000km (187,500 miles) on the clock back in 2016. New clutch, new head gaskets and we were winning (got it registered). 

My sister owns it and has given up on it since having a company car, now I drive it in our rotation of vehicles. It’s back at no1 commuter now since having its cam belt done and the oil pump resealed (minor leak that may not have been it in the first place). 

I have to keep an eye on the oil level between changes as it seems to use some but isn’t smokey - I usually use a semi synthetic so it should show up if it’s being burnt.

If the engine is good, there’s really no reason why you can’t swap the engine into another good body if it comes to that.

Cheers 

Bennie

Edited November 18 by el_freddo

[lmdew]

Yep, good parts or spare Subaru.  I put well over 300K on a few Impreza wagons.  You've done most of the large items already.  Keep it going.

[Ravenwoods]

The engine does turn over a few times before firing up. Perhaps a sign of lower compression? Of maybe the fuel injectors are not as good any more?

[lmdew]

A leaking injector will bleed off the pressure overtime and it takes a bit to build it back up.

[el_freddo]

The Liberty mentioned above either cranks for longer than I’m happy with or if you crank it then stop and go again it will fire up instantly. This only occurs when doing a cold start in the morning or after work at the end of the day. Once it’s warmed up starting in the first crank or two is a non issue.

It’s just one of those quirks. I don’t know when it started but that’s my work around. 

Cheers 

Bennie

Edited November 19 by el_freddo
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