howards11

Just an update: Here in Philadelphia we are in the midst of another "blizzard". The 2nd part of the storm is expected later tonight and ending early Friday with 6" - 12" more inches for this snowy season. I haven't switched to FWD yet but I'm waiting for the storm to pass. The problem is now starting from the time the car starts rather than driving for at least 1/2 hr. When it does it's shaking at idle, it feels more like someone has hit you from behind rather than coming from the front. Early on when I had just purchased this vehicle my mechanic discovered an old Penna state inspection sticker which indicated about 20K more mileage than what I had purchased it. We were both confused how you could roll a digital odometer and we both thought it was just an error. But now I believe it wasn't an error and instead of having 77K on this Forester I have 97K. This would explain things like why I had to replace all of the struts this past fall. ~Howard

Mr Radon: Thanks for your help. I will try the FWD mode as soon as the coming snow storm passes. ~Howard

I took a look at the Car Talk site and found another nearby dealer to use. I'll give them a call and setup an appointment for next week after the next big storm is over. ~Howard

NIPPER: This has been going on since around December. It has gotten progressively worse. Do you know of anyone down here in Philly ? Should I take it to another Subaru dealer or go to my general mechanic ? The last time I had a weird problem with this vehicle my general mechanic just threw up his hand and said "I don't know. Take it to a Subaru dealer." One last question: Should I switch it over to FWD and see what happens ? Thanks for your help !! ~Howard

NIPPER: When you got the tune-up, what plugs and wires did you use? I believe my mechanic used NGK plugs. The wires he purchased from the same Subaru dealer. Do you have a CEL on? No CEL. Why was the timing belt changed so early, when it is required at 106,000 miles. I had my mechanic change all the belts as a precaution. I did not purchase this car new. I got it used, 3 yrs old with 25K. I wanted to make sure I did not have problems. Why didnt the dealer notice the rough running? I dont trust this dealer. They told me the mechanic did not let it run enough for the problem to occur. On a second attempt, he did feel the problem. I don't trust this dealer either but I have used them in the past when my general mechanic could not come up with a solution. My mechanic gets his Subaru parts from them. I have PM'd you with the name of the dealer. They are not in Philadelphia but in Bucks County, PA. ~Howard

I'm in Philadelphia, PA. In the Northeast section of the city. ~Howard

NIPPER: When was the last time it had a full tuneup? About 1 1/2 yrs How many miles on this car? 77K Have you had the air filter replaced recently? Spring 2009 When was the last time the timing belt was changed? 60K ~Howard

Let me go over what happens: After driving a while...sometimes about 1/2 hr, when you stop the car shakes like the timing is off. Sometimes it does it once and other times it continues to do it. This shaking can be very slight or forceful. Once in a while the car will backfire when I start up after stopping. The mechanic at the dealer did not have a problem initially but after driving it as I suggested did feel the problem. He described it as being hit by something in the rear. The ATF was down a quart (I don't understand this at all) and the dealer felt that by adding fluid it may clear the problem. It doesn't. They want $1,500 to replace the AWD unit and at this point in time I don't want to spend any more on this auto as it's becoming a bottomless pit. ~Howard

I will try that and see. It was too late last night after I picked up the Forester to make the change. ~Howard

The Forester is a automatic. All tires are the same size, age and wear. Several times in the past I have driven unknowingly on a flat. Once I did discover it I switched over to FWD using the fuse before having it repaired. ~Howard

I had the Forester at the local dealer today. The thumping noise was a bad left FRONT axel. That was replaced and that problem is gone. The rough idle problem isn't an engine problem as I first thought. It's an AWD issue. The mechanic said it feels like someone has hit you from behind when this problem happens. The car shakes for a bit. The mechanic from the dealer said the AWD system is failing. The AT was about a quart low on fluid. They added more fluid thinking that would solve the problem. It didn't. On the ride home from the dealer and driving around tonight the problem continued. The dealership wants $1,500.00 to replace the AWD system. I'm quite upset; I don't want to spend this large sum on a repair and I wasn't planning on getting another car at this time. There is only 77K on the car; almost all of it city driving here in Philadelphia. Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks in advance for your help. ~Howard

This sounds to me like a problem only a dealer can resolve. ~Howard

Update #1 The rough idle continues and seems to have gotten worse. Plus it backfired yesterday. No codes are being generated. Another problem has cropped up: I'm getting a thumping sound that seems to be on the left rear. It sounds like a bad tire when it happens. Could this be the wheel bearing on that side? The right rear was replaced a while back. I had hoped to get it back to the local dealer sooner than this but the "wonderful" weather we have been having in Philadelphia stopped me from doing it. I'm going to set an appointment up with the dealer for early next week. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Suggestions or comments ? ~Howard

Maybe you need new ABS wheel sensors ? ~Howard

It's not the ABS that's at fault......it's the tires ! ~Howard