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New Gen Subaru FAQ Sticky Compilation


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I've created this thread so you can post links to all the commonly brought up topics for the new gen Subarus, while not having millions of stickies cluttering the top of the forum.

 

For the time being I will leave the thread unlocked and allow users to post threads they feel are commonly brought up issues.

 

When posting, please ONLY post the link to the thread, and keep discusion regarding an item in that thread.

 

Also, please use the following format when posting

Note: Replace paranthesis with brackets.

 

(url=http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/somethread)Description of thread(/url)

 

If the thread becomes cluttered with extraneous threads or chatter I will close the thread, and you'll have to pm one of the mods to add a thread.

 

Enjoy!

 

Josh

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Allow me to introduce you to the "Subaru Virgin" switch. :)

 

There is a rocker switch on the top of the steering column. It is labeled with a P and some dashes indicating lighting. This switch turns on the parking lights even if the ignition is off, headlights are off, etc. This is a code/regulation requirement in other countries. What usually happens, is that the unsuspecting owner will bump this switch while cleaning the dash.

 

Don't feel bad, it's happened to many.

 

Commuter

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  • 2 weeks later...

This question comes up a lot.

 

The post by ferret in the following thread sums it up quite nicely (at least for North American 4 cyl engines). Thanks ferret.

 

Is my engine interference, or non-interference?

 

There are other posts that go deeper, ie whether pistons hit valves, or valves hit each other, or both. I don't have a link for that, but if someone knows of one, msg me and I'll add it to this post.

 

Commuter

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  • 3 weeks later...
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There are so many timing belt threads that searching is not effective. This is one thread that seems to cover the subject pretty well.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2455

 

 

This post covers about 98% of everthing said in all of the timing belt threads combined.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showpost.php?p=19460&postcount=37

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  • 2 weeks later...

That dang rattle! I have had several Subys and have found a long term solution. 2 Outbacks with a total of 60K miles on the repairs.

 

The nail and screw thing gets points for simplicity, but...

 

I had my muffler guy pry off the shields (the tabs are easily broken). He then wrapped performance exhaust tape (1" wide) under where the shields go and then replaced (re crimped) the shields and further secured them with (very tight) stainless zip ties (for exhaust systems). 15' of exhaust tape $18. 12 Stainless Zip Ties $24. Labor $55. The exhaust tape smells like burnt paint (bad!) the first few drives. When I drive by a concrete wall I think the car is now slightly, but noticably quieter than new.

 

The heat shields do serve some purposes...

 

1. They keep heat in the exhaust line which is theoretically more effecient (as a gas cools it contracts which flows more slowly which is less effecient if the system was originally designed around a particular exhaust velocity).

 

2. The catalytic converter relies (critically) on heat to function properly which is signifigantly preserved by the shields.

 

3. The signifigant escaped heat raises the underhood temp by maybe 10 or 20 (just a guess) at low speed which effects effeciency (heat dissapation is more effecient).

 

Ok, "So far so what?" you ask. True these effects are probably negligible until the cooler and less effeciently catalytically converted gas reaches the inline exhaust sensor, which tells the computer to adjust the fuel mixture and other parameters and suddenly you have an engine with a potential quirk.

 

4. The shields help reduce in cabin noise (untill they rattle).

 

5. The shields help reduce the likelyhood of a dry grass fire.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I'm a steel fabricator and we use K-Wool over a weld so that it cools down slower. You can put a 1" piece of this stuff in front of a blowtorch and your hand on the other and not feel a thing. Perhaps something like that stuffed into the heat shield would be a good solution, my only concern may be that the pipe itself would get TOO hot! It would definitely lengthen the time the vehicle takes to cool off.

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  • 1 month later...

Frameless windows... they have their pros and cons. One of the cons is leaks leading to wind noise. This thread discusses some simple solutions to fixing the problem.

 

Good luck. (It just recently worked for me on a 97 OB.)

 

Commuter

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  • 2 months later...
  • 3 months later...
Allow me to introduce you to the "Subaru Virgin" switch. :)

 

There is a rocker switch on the top of the steering column. It is labeled with a P and some dashes indicating lighting. This switch turns on the parking lights even if the ignition is off, headlights are off, etc. This is a code/regulation requirement in other countries. What usually happens, is that the unsuspecting owner will bump this switch while cleaning the dash.

 

Don't feel bad, it's happened to many.

 

Commuter

 

 

HAHA this happened to me last night in a blizzard, and I thought there was a short. So I'm out there in 2 feet of snow, and more coming down, in the dark, with the hood open, found the correct fuse and pulled it. I logged on here to find out what to do and this is the simple solution! Seems like there's always an easier answer eh?

 

While I am extremely glad this isn't a short, I am wondering why is that switch there? What's the purpose of that? I think I hit it thinking it was the hazzard lights. Yes, I'm a subaru virgin, just bought the car last week, but it got me home in about a foot of snow on the road. I plowed my way home last night! My Saturn wouldn't have made it 10 feet in that. Love my Subaru!

 

Jewl

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  • 1 month later...

Which engine models blow head gaskets?

 

compilation on Head Gasket failure modes by model/year

 

Also added links to useful information:

- description of other common issues

- where to buy rebuilt engines

- maintenance schedule

- endWrench mag timing belt replacement how-to

 

I think a FAQ entry on torque bind and piston slap is needed too.

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  • 10 months later...

There's a slew of threads about this issue; below are some of the meatier ones. The vibration related to this issue only occurs in gear (put it in Neutral, it goes away).

 

Unfortunately, not enough people return to let us know what worked to fix it or not fix it (hint to new people). A common thread appears to be that non-Subaru axles (half-shafts) are not good replacements. It's not clear why the non-Sub axles generate a vibration, but it happens often enough to defy coincidence. Other ideas are proposed and in some cases things other than half-shaft replacements have fixed it.

 

Another 1998 Outback idle shudder

 

1998 Outback vibrates when stopped in Drive

 

2000 Outback wagon shudders at idle after half-shaft replacement

 

2000 Outback vibrates when stopped at idle

 

1999 Outback idling at low speed after axle replacement

 

1995 Legacy wagon vibrates when idling in drive or reverse

 

2003 Outback vibrates in idle when stopped

 

1998 Outback idle vibration - considering replacing motor mounts

 

1997 Legacy Outback - same problem...

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