augustsky3

New-to-me 2009 Forester. I am noticing that immediately after startup, it wants to idle around 1100-1200rpm. If I lightly press the throttle and release, it settles down closer to 700-800 and stays there for the most part. Is this an abnormality, or some kind of tactic to warm the engine faster on a cold start? Thoughts?

Sonic, do you have plans of making any modifications to yours, specifically perhaps ones that lend to off-pavement competence?

That is a pretty rig! The only turbo in my area had apparently been owned by a packet wild dogs, and also has almost 120k. I am honestly pretty happy with the 2.5 NA's ability to scoot, at least compared to my 01 Cherokee!

Greetings all. My long and arduous search finally paid off, and I landed a really clean 09 Forester Premium with a tick over 80k. I have begun embellishing my imagination and assembling ideas for the kind of rig I want Moonbeam to become. What might one want to take care of first? I am dreaming of an eventual 1.5" lift (Possibly from Primitive Racing), a beefy bar up front, and modular roof-rack system up top, DIY awning, not to mention interior conversions to make her a bid more ready for the back-country. Also, what oil and filter should I look for? I have found a lot of older articles stating that most filters are not suited for the 2.5's pressure specs. Thoughts?

I 'misspoke", it isn't a dealership, just a dinky used car lot selling out of a modular. All this and other information is turning me towards ditching that particular vehicle. That generation soob is proving to be a bit of a pain, because of exactly the mileage and age that they have, it seems hard to avoid either paying a high price for a vehicle that is well maintained or shelling out for timing systems and gasket work. What a pickle.

I agree. Their guy assured me that they'd use a better gasket, but I digress on whether or not to trust them. I would hate to drop several thousand on a loan and find out that the heads or blocks are FUBAR. What does the fact that it was leaking oil so soon after startup, visibly, and smoking tell us? I didn't drive or give it a chance to overheat, and was too disappointed to check the coolant system for oil or bubbles.

This week I drove a few hours to check out a 2010 Forester Limited with 117k on it. I knew after researching the dealership that I should be on the lookout for shady business. The car was clean as could be inside and out, and the engine has obviously been thoroughly cleaned. It started up eagerly, and immediately upon popping the hood, there's was faint but obvious smoke coming from the heads. Their mechanic slid out from the garage and immediately diagnosed that oil was burning and leaking from the head gasket. I was NOT impressed. and now trust the dealer even less. They have promised to replace the gasket and notify my when its been done. So I know that even slight gasket damage can lead to real problems from end to end. I don't expect them to instead the block, cylinders, or heads when they do the gasket. Should I trust them? (Naive I know, but I want the damn car. Of course I will have it independently inspected if I look at it again. Could damage to the motor be diagnosed without me having to pay for the whole motor being pulled out? I am no expert and am looking for some more experienced advice from the soob community! Thanks!