lytnin88
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Posts posted by lytnin88
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I have an '03 Forester with 70K miles on it. Owner's manual says to replace timing belt at 105K miles, but I read in a Chilton manual that timing belt on 2.5 L engine should be replaced at 60K miles. Whom should I believe? How difficult is it to change?
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99 Legacy Wagon 2.2. Can I Unhook Battery ? If So How Long ? Or Do I Need A Scan Tool Since It's Obd2 System ? Thanks Kit
Go to AutoZone if you have one in your area. You can borrow their OBD II scanner for free and reset codes with it.
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I'm considering buying a 2003 Forester 2.5 xs with low miles. Does anyone have any info on problems with these or comments on quality? TIA
I have an '03 Forester with 68K miles on it. No major problems so far. Factory installed disc brakes didn't last long, though. Having said that, I wouldn't buy a Forester if I had to do it again. As was mentioned, doesn't make a lot of sense in Southern CA. Depends on the weather and road conditions where you are.
As was also mentioned, not much leg room in the back.
But, I think it's a very well made vehicle. Problems with earlier Foresters seem to have been rectified by '03.
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So has anyone else heard about the Subaru filter shortage?
Went to the dealership and they would not sell me any because they said they are down to under 500 and they usually have over 3000 in stock. They said the manufacture had short fall and they were not sure when they would get more??
I think Napa sells Wix built but not sure??
Why do you need Subaru filter? WHy not get Fram, or Purolator?
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I have an '03 Forester with 68K miles. I noticed that it has two O2 sensors, a front and a rear. I think the rear one plugs into the catalytic converter. Does this one ever need to be replaced?
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If your car has OBD II, you might try reading the code with a scanner. Auto Zone has scanners to loan.
When did you last change spark plugs?
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Sounds like the same type of filter in my '03 Forester. Subaru says it doesn't ever need to be changed, but I changed mine anyway at about 65K when I replaced the AT fluid. It's a dealer part, or you can order it from one of the Subaru parts websites.
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You should be aware that just removing the plug will not completely drain all of the auto trans fluid. I was able to drain about 4 out of 10 quarts doing this on my '03 Forester. But if you repeat this procedure 3 times, running the engine in between drains, it should be a pretty good flush. On my car, you can remove another quart or two by removing the ATF filter, which looks like a motor oil filter.
The alternative to the above procedure is taking it to an auto trans shop, where they have a special machine that sucks out the old fluid while replacing it with new.
There is another procedure for the do-it-yourselfer, which involves opening up the transmission fluid line at the radiator, draining the old fluid into a bucket (with engine running) while replacing it with new fluid. I haven't tried this, and it seems a bit risky.
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I have a 2003 Forester with 67K miles on it. Owner's manual doesn't say anything about when to replace 02 sensor. Should I just wait until I get CEL?
Also, when should I change spark plug wires? Still have factory wires. I checked resistance recently when I changed spark plugs, and all wires are between 6.1K and 7.9K ohms.
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Can anyone tell me the MPG they get with later model Foresters? I'm considering getting another car. Thanks.
I have an '03 Forester, auto trans, that gets about 22 mpg. This is in Southern CA.
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I removed the glove compartment of my '03 Forester today to replace the air filtration filter and--lo and behold--there was no filter installed. I bought the car new and had it serviced once at the dealer, so either the filter wasn't installed at the factory, or the dealer took it out and didn't replace it when I had the car serviced at about 35K miles. It currently has 67K miles on it.
By the way, Subaru recommends that this filter, which filters the cabin air, be changed every year or 7500 miles, which seems a bit excessive to me.
Anyway, I installed the new one. Let's see if it makes any noticable difference.
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Second, the gas mileage has been poorer than expected.
Zooma,
I also have an '03 Forester and live in S. Cal (San Diego). I'm dissappointed with my gas mileage. I get about 22 mpg, and this is mostly highway miles. How's your mileage? Your smog equipment and type of gas should be the same as mine, since you're in SoCal.
Other than the mileage, I don't have any major complaints. Haven't had any major mechanical problems with the car. It's got 67K miles on it. I service it myself, so finding a dealer for service is not an issue with me. Actually, if all you need is service (oil change, filter change, etc) you don't have to take it to a Subaru dealer. 30K maintenance can be done by an independant shop.
Having said all that, I don't think the next car I buy will be a Subaru. With the kind of driving I do, the AWD is really not needed (although I do like the way the vehicle handles), and I think that the AWD is one of the reasons for less than great gas mileage.
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Also a forester does fall in the "rolling brick" catagory.
Another factor to look at is your tires. They can have a lot of effect on milage. The more sticky the tires are (handling) the more rolling resistance, the lower the gas mileage. High mileage tires tend ot give better gas milage. Also wht kind of terrane do you drive on on the highway. If its alot of hills, and you find the car hunting alot for the right gear in Drive, go to d3 as that may help. ALso you can get a vaccum gauge. The higher the needle the better the gas mileage. That would give you some feedback for your left foot.
One last thing, what condition are your O2 sensors in?
nipper
Thanks for the suggestions, nipper. It's pretty flat where I live, so terrain wouldn't be a factor. How do you go about testing O2 sensors? Will OBDIII scanner tell you if they need replacement? The front one looks OK: haven't seen the rear one.
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Some people might call 22 mpg "somewhat below average" or even "average", not "lousy", and as you probably know, there are lots of things that can cause fuel mileage to suffer. But first...
Those are interesting inflation pressures; I believe spec is 29f/28r. While the fronts are at spec, you might try another couple of pounds there, which shouldn't stiffen the ride too much or cause wear problems. Unless you're hauling very heavy loads (in which case, that might explain where the fuel is going), 36 psi at the rears is high. Lightly loaded, they should be a pound or so lower than the fronts; carrying more weight, equal to the fronts or very slightly higher than them. Pressure is, of course, measured with tires cold. Uneven tire wear or inflation pressures can cause drivetrain problems.
With a bit more info, maybe we can offer other suggestions. Some questions:
1) Are you sure your tire gauge is accurate?
2) Did you buy the Forester new?
3) Did it ever get better mileage?
4) Is the terrain flat or hilly where you mostly drive?
5) What viscosity oil are you using?
6) Can we assume there are no driveability problems, unusual sounds, or other possible clues?
--OB99W
1)yes
2)yes, I bought it new
3)not that I measured
4)pretty flat
5)5W-30
6) I think that's a reasonable assumption.
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Try putting the same pressure in all the tires. That way, all of your tires will have the same circumference and the rears won't be pushing the fronts down the road. Recheck your mileage and get back to us.
I'll try that. THanks for the advise.
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I have an '03 Forester, auto trans, with 67K miles on it. About the best mileage I can get is 22 mpg, and this is mostly highway driving. Recently changed air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs (Denso), keep tires inflated at 29 psi front, 36 rear. Still using dino oil. Am I missing anything?
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Greetings,
I have an '03 Forester with 67K mi on it. Haven't had any problems with it. Handles well. Probably would appreciate it more if we had a lot of bad weather here in SoCal. The only complaint I have is the less than great mileage. I guess that's the price you pay for AWD.
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Thanks, Gnuman. So, where is the ABS computer? Is it that rectangular black box mounted back by the gas tank?
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I was looking around the under side of my '03 Forester today, and I noticed a small-diameter hose going to each of the front wheels. (Disc brakes in the front.) It wasn't the brake fluid line, which is a larger diameter hose. Anyone know what this hose is for?
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Just a quesion or two, as I've never done this myself.
How are you putting the new fluid in?
I'm not sure it it's healthy to let it pour out of the pressure hose and not have any coming in the return line.
Is a tranny flush that expensive?
Seems like a lot of work and mess if it doesn't cost that much.
You could always drain your pan, refill it, then repeat the procedure the next week, and once more if you want.
If you are thinking all the old fluid will be replaced in the torque converter, I don't believe it will be, doing a flush as you are suggesting.
New fluid goes in the dipstick hole.
I think a tranny flush is about $100, which I would like to avoid paying if possible.
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The auto transmission fluid cooler, which is located below the radiator, has an inlet and an outlet hose between it and the tranny, but I don't know which is which. They are at the same height; one is on the driver side, the other on the passenger side of the cooler. If I guessed, I'd have a 50/50 chance of being right (or wrong).
The reason I'm asking this question is I'm planning to do an ATF flush, which involves disconning the return line and letting the old fluid drain into a bucket while replacing it with new fluid.
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I have an '03 Forester. I want to install a T in the heater hose so I can flush the coolant. Not sure which of the two heater hoses going to the firewall to cut. Anyone know?
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Where is the connecter located for the diagnostic tool, and what does it look like? I saw a couple of loose connectors below the steering wheel, but they only had one or two pins each.
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I have a 203 Forrester with 65K mi. Had a major service at dealer at 30K ($500!). They didn't change auto trans fluid filter, which looks like a small oil filter and is mounted next to AT drain pan. Does this ever need to be changed?
Also, I need to change front and rear diff gear oil. Should I use synthetic or petroleum based oil?
Thanks to Sean in N. VA for his response to my previous question.
remote door opener
in 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza, Outback, Forester, Baja, WRX&WrxSTI, SVX
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The remote door opener on my '03 Forrester is acting flakey. Internittant operation. I think the transmitter is OK--changed battery recently and the little LED comes on when I push a button. So, I think problem is in the sensor. Where is sensor located, and what might be wrong with it?