ModemJunki

Bad coil? Broken spark plug insulator? Does it misfire?

Had a good look and drive today at the Scooby. No leakage from heads. Rear diff not leaking. It has new brakes all around. The tow package is installed. The auto trans fluid is fine (no bad smell), I couldn't find the dipstick for the center diff? Does an '01 auto have a dipstick for the center diff? The bearing suspect noise doesn't seem like a bearing, it only happens at a low speed, doesn't change when loading/unloading (turning side to side while noise is happening in a parking lot). I think it's a tire, the tires are OK but 2/3 worn out. There is no pull. A slight (very slight) shimmy tells me a wheel is not true or - more likely - a tire is out of round (would match the suspicion above). The transmission shows no signs of binding and shifts the way I've felt other auto Subies shift, not the most sophisticated or smooth thing when you're on it but smooth when cruising. Struts seem a little soft, according to the friend that is selling it this shouldn't be a surprise as the previous owners are "on the husky side". Everything works including the overhead clock, car is straight (never been hit), no wind noise is present. The rear cupholder is broken. The interior isn't badly worn but it's disgustingly dirty. Car is a smokers car (no major burns I could see, but it's *dirty* in there). Someone used shiny stuff on the dash (I can't stand that stuff). It's a Chicago city car, so the bumper covers have normal nicks and dings, the passenger marker/turn lamp is cracked and the trim piece under the passsenger headlamp is gone, looks to be about $120 for both (1stsubaruparts for the trim, ebay for the marker housing). Headlights are fogged pretty bad. Some Meguiars plastic polish and some clearcoat would do wonders for them, or just replace 'em with ebay cheapies for $150. I offered $4600, which is KBB trade-in value for the vehicle in "rough" shape, and they accepted. All I have to do is fork over the bread, then I can start pimpin' my ride with some soap and water.

Yes but - the kids been pounding the pavement and no jobs. One of his friends went and joined the Army because he didn't find a job, my son sort of considered that but he's got a scholarship he'd lose out on. Finding a job is kinda tough these days, here's looking forward to better times. I'll report back on the Scooby after I get the chance to look at it.

Thanks for the replies. I didn't think of the bad/worn tire scenario for the rear end noise, I'll definitely look out for that. Bad bearing noises can also be caused by a bent wheel. The head gasket issue is something I remember now from when I researched the first Scooby we got (I ended up waiting for an '03 back then), thanks for the reminder to check for that. As I said, for the asking price it could be a little bit of a project car and I won't mind, we have three cars (and three drivers) in the family so this one could be my toy, and with the miles currently on it should still be running well when my daughter starts driving in a couple of years. It's a one family/two owner car, the fellow who will introduce me to it is a friend of mine who is helping a family member sell it (he sells cars on the side) and is going to bring me the car "as is" without cleaning anything up, so I will get an honest look at it's condition. I hope it turns out to be a car I want, I miss the Forester a lot, and this one sounds to be an S with the premium package (moonroof etc.). It would be perfect as a commuter car, and we could drop the insurance to "liability only" on one of our older cars with a good "spare" car on hand. Having an 18 year old driver living at home with an at-fault accident on record is darned expensive! So if I buy it and there is any spare change found in it, should I donate the change to the USMB BBS? :-p

Hi all, it's been about three years since I've been on here (our old Forester gave it's last in a bad crash, but no one got hurt, so she did her job). Now I have the opportunity to buy a 2001 with 84k on the odometer. I have not seen it yet, but there is "noise from the rear end" so it at least will need bearings. The price is very good, so I wouldn't mind having to spend some money on parts to bring it up to snuff. I do most of my own mechanical work, and of course Subarus are pretty easy to work on. What other things do I need to look for in a Forester with that many miles? Any advice given is appreciated!

OK, so our '04 Forester X 5-speed, which has been pretty much trouble free except for the airbag warning light going on (harness replaced), trips it's check engine light. It's got just under 30K. I've been working a lot lately, so I don't pull the code, but I did at least check the gas cap. My wife takes it in for service (it's her daily driver). The dealer service record indicates: "Valves adjusted too tight, misfire 1-2 cyl B243-008, ABW-88 warr=.6 adjusted l/s bank valves to specs. Please advise customer to purchase gas at another station as the fuel sample showed a small amount of contamination." Now, there are *no* tool marks anywhere on any bolt that I can see under the hood. I'm thinking it can't be *that* simple to adjust the valves on this engine! I would believe the bad gas theory, it wouldn't be the first time it's happened to me. I don't want to slam the dealer - hey, if the CEL tripped because of poor gas and they want to charge Subaru for a bit of warrantee time, so be it. But this thing about adjusting the valves - could this be some type of valve I'm unaware of? Or is adjusting the valves on this car quite that simple? Or is this pure, unadulterated, meadowmuffin material? Anyone have thoughts on this?

Yipee! I found something useful, instead of some crusty old wheels.

Now, I've never actually seen the inside of a Brat... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33696&item=2458011274

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43954&item=2456988572 "You are bidding on the set of 4 13" wheels that came off of a 1985 Subaru 4 door sedan that was junked. None of the wheels wobbled when I put them on a computer balancer to check for warps or bends. I junked the car because the transmission went bad and couldn't find another one cheap enough. One center cap is missing (it was stolen off the car before I took the wheels off) but it shouldn't much of a problem to locate one at your local used parts dealer." Whoops, forgot the quotes. It's not my auction (though our '03 Forester would look very pimp with these on it if they were gold!) ;-P Found more! These look nasty, though. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43954&item=2457481295 "this auction is for a set of original equipment subaru wheels. 13" with center caps. wheels would be great to refinish. they are rusty, but solid and hard to find. will fit most subaru models from the 80's four wheel drive or two. they are heavy so shipping will be a little expensive probably. will fit all gl models and brats!!!! thanks for checking it out:)" And another http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33744&item=2457966832 "New never used Subaru Loyale starburst wheel cover 13 inch. This listing is for one hubcap. I have two more available." Not sure what these go to http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33749&item=2458023482 "This auction is for ONE set of 4 used SUBARU center caps. This set is silver finish with a slightly domed face, 2 5/16" in diameter by 1/2" deep. These are used and may have minor scratches and nicks. Please look at the pictures and e-mail if you have any questions. We accept money orders and cashiers checks. Sorry, we DO NOT take Paypal. Payment is expected within 10 days of the close of auction. We ship to the United States only at this time. shipping charge of $8.00. Thanks for stopping and good luck in your eBay adventures!" Another nasty looking pair http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43954&item=2458340729 "Hello, I have 4 Subaru DL, GL, Brat 8 spoke steel wheels. They are in poor condition but can be sand plasted and then power coated white to look like new. They are straight and hold air. Shipping may be expensive because they are heavy, I think that they are about 25 lbs each. Please check my other auctions because I have many other Subaru parts. Email me with your requests."

I used to have a device that looked just like a turkey baster but was from a science supply place. It was made of Pyrex glass with a black rubber squeeze thingy. Not quite as big as a turkey baster. The bulb was supposed to be chemical resistant. It was great for brake fluid and the like. It was stolen quite a few years back from an apartment storage along with some other tools and I never bothered to buy another one. :-(

Hmmm.. The 95 automatic was in OK condition, but the paint/interior showed signs of neglect. The 96 5-speed was in better overall shape, but someone had disconnected the keyless entry by ripping the wires out of the connectors (the power door locks didnt work). The hill holder was disconnected at the clutch fork, and it needed new tires. One of the heat shields had a little bit of a rattle. A few dings, normal for the age of the car. The car ran well, no binding in turns, clutch engaged fairly low. The only real question I have about it: is it normal for the the transmissions in these to have a lot of gear whine in 1st/2nd? Sadly, the dealer has set a "no haggle" price of $6000, and the car (with 120K) isn't worth that to me.

Sweet Brat! And fair price, too. But alas, I must have 4 seats in the cabin.

A Brat would be great for me, but I have to haul two mid-size rugrats quite frequently (in northern Illinois).:-) One of them plays the bass - the upright kind. The Brat would do quite nicely for that! I like the idea of a wagon body. Even though we already have a Forester, you can't beat the utility of a carryall. I only looked at the LSI because of the overall package, and of course the price was in my ballpark. So where is the ad for your Brat? I looked but didn't see any by ShawnW...

:boohoo: The LSI had a fair amount of overspray on the left front undercarriage. The left front knuckle, arm, and rotor looked fresher than the rest of the car, too. The dealer, of course, didn't know anything about that. Though the body panels look straight, so did the ones on my old Miata. It's wondrous what a good body shop can do. Too bad, the LSI package is very nice. Off to look at the wagons, then. A moonroof would have been sweet. :-\ Thanks again for all the replies, everyone!

The car I want to look at has a 2.2 automatic. I have also found a couple of wagons, both 2.2, one stick, one auto. I've read enough in the forums to know the 2.5 for those years wasn't so great, and I don't want a car that runs on premium.