subyroo

Sounds like a gas issue to me! If it starts out cold and then slowly gets hot then that is generally a sign of low gas. Check the sight glass for bubbles or foam when the A/C is running if you see any then your A/C needs re-gassing.

Try asking a Wrecking Yard for a complete swap out of back seats with a wrecked (frontal) MY 02 onwards, plus ...... say $10.00 USD. ;) You can only ask. :)

You can read about it here too: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10791#post10791

Does that bar allow for the airbags to be deployed under normal circumstances??

I have an MY03 XS Forester 5MT and it does 3,000rpm for 74.56mph or 120kph and that is 250rpm less the the MY01 Liberty RX 5MT I had before it. The OB will cruise at that speed and RPM all day long and survive for years and miles. Just look after the mtce side of things as per the schedule. That rule of thumb applies to any vehicle anyway, whether it be a Porsche - BMW or a Miata.

I had an MY01 Liberty RX 5MT and the Cruise Control in that thing used to piss me off big time as it was like "LameRandomName's". I now have an MY03 XS Forester 5MT and the Cruise control in this car is not in the same league as the Liberty, "it's as smooth as silk" to engage. When you flick the stalk up or down for the 2kph increments there is no jerking associated with the speed increase/decrease and when you cancel it there is a smooth slowing down of the car, in 3 words................. "I love it".................. and the car too :D

:rolleyes: give it a chance to settle down and run in matey!

Fill it up!!! 3 gals would probably put it at the E mark. P.S. Reading the owners handbook too might help, if it came with one.

I have an MY03 XS Forester too and the fuel gauge is not accurate in it either. Here's is what you do: 1. Fill up your tank and use it around town like you normally do and make a written note or a mental one for the mileages when the needle hits ¾ - ½ - ¼ and then again when the bowser light comes on. 2. Do the same thing when you do a long trip. From then on you can make a mental assessment of how your car is running. I have done this in preference to fiddling with the sensors or gauges. I also prefer to use the old rule of "If it ain't broke - don't fix it" or it will end up costing you double and being 2 gals out means it ain't broke so leave it alone. :D :D My Forester does: 100kms before it move off FULL 200kms to ¾ 350kms to ½ 475kms to ¼ and 600+ before the Bowser light comes on for a trip. Around town I fill it up when I have done about 520 - 540kms.

I found a thread on a F_F_F_F_Ford forum and it said that their P04020 code was the lack of comms between the front & rear 02 sensors. I will get my mate to check them both out. Thanks for your replies fella's.

Does anybody have an idea on what this code means on a 99 Forester with 118k on the clock: P420 - Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold. Is this pointing me toward the Catalytic Converter or am I on wrong track?

I'm onto my 4th year and 2nd car with an Optima Red Top, see they outlast the car even :D :D Nah! I traded the MY01 Liberty in on a My03 Forester much better car for my needs.

Subaru Model Codes When referring to a chassis alone, you use the first two characters of the model code. 1993-2001 Impreza Chassis: Sedan: GC Coupe: GM Wagon: GF 2002+ Impreza Chassis: Sedan: GD Wagon: GG 1991-1994 Legacy Chassis: Sedan: BC Wagon: BF (Yes, the C and F indicate the same chassis as Imprezas) 1995-1999 Legacy Chassis: Sedan: BD Outback Wagon: BG Wagon: BK 2000+ Legacy Chassis: Sedan: BE Wagon: BH Forester Chassis: 1998-2002: SF 2003+: SG SVX Chassis: 1992-1997: CX The third character refers to the engine that particular chassis was equipped with from the factory. The engine code itself implies engine size, configuration, and other things like radiator type and crossmember used. Due to some confusion on the VIN versus the applied model code, the table has been revised to show Model Codes and VINs. Applied Model Codes: 2.0L (pre-MY01 WRX): 8 (ie: GC8 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Sedan) 2.0L (MY01+ WRX): A (ie: GGA is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Wagon) 2.0L (MY02+ WRX STi): B (ie: GDB is a 2.0L Impreza WRX STi Sedan) 2.2L (NA): C (ie: GFC is a 2.2L Impreza Wagon) 2.5L (NA-Impreza): E (ie: GME is a 2.5L Impreza Coupe) 2.5L (NA-Legacy): 6 (ie: BE6 is a 2.5L Legacy Sedan) 2.5L (XT): 9 (ie: SG9 is a 2.5L Forester XT) 2.5L (STi): F (ie: GDF is a 2.5L Impreza WRX STi Sedan) 3.0L (H6): 9 (ie: BE9 is a 3.0L Legacy Sedan) VIN Chassis Codes: 1.8L: 2 (ie: GC2 is a 1.8L Impreza Sedan) 2.0L: 2 (ie: GD2 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Sedan) 2.2L: 4 (ie: GF4 is a 2.2L Impreza Wagon) 2.5L (NA and XT): 6 (ie: GM6 is a 2.5L Impreza Coupe) 2.5L (STi): 7 (ie: GD7 is a 2.5L Impreza WRX STi Sedan) 3.0L (H6): 8 (ie: BH8 Is a 3.0L Legacy Wagon) 3.3L (H6): 3 (ie: CX3 is a 3.3L SVX) Some of this information is trivial, but in some cases being specific will ensure the correct answer to your question. Specific model code indication required: If you are requesting fitment of a radiator into a GFA, there are two things to consider: GF indicates pre-MY02 Impreza chassis, while A indicates it is a 2.0L turbo engine. For a vendor to simply reply saying that, yes, they have a GC8 radiator ( when it is really a GC4/6 radiator) does NOT mean it will apply to your application. It does mean it will fit the GC/GF chassis, however. Since you have a turbo engine (A), it means you probably do not want a radiator designed for a naturally aspirated engine (6). Specific model code indication not required: If you ask if a STi V6 drivetrain will fit into a GC8 chassis, then of course it will. That is the exact car the engine is in. However, if you are asking if it will fit into a GC/GF chassis (or maybe just GF4 specifically), then your question is less ambiguous as to what you are trying to do. However, it is obvious to see what is being asked. (Thanks to whoever put this data together, I cannot remember whom I got it from) :o

My apologies :o :o I misunderstood your post. We have had the dreaded "clutch shudder" problem down here with 2.5's but as yet it hasn't reared it's ugly head with the MY03 Foresters..........touch wood.

Cookie I have still to hear of any of these issues with the MY03 Foresters down here. Where have you read about these issues with the Aussie 03 Foresters, I would be interested in reading them matey, especially the bit about "I still envy the Kiwis and Aussies that had the good old reliable engines in thier foresters till just lately." Thanks!

Re red text above: I don't mean to sound rude or abusive here matey, but RTM, Manufacturers put it in the car for you to familiarise yourself with the car and it's workings, it has a layout of the fusebox in it. That is such a lame/lazy question IMHO, especially for somebody onto their 2nd Subaru (re Signature).

Subegrl are you making this sweeping statement about ALL Foresters?? I have an MY03 XS and I have so far run up 26,000kms and it hasn't missed a beat. I just did a 3451 mile (US Miles) round trip from Brisbane to Melbourne on Christmas Vacation and averaged 29.56 mpg (US mpg) and that included mainly Hwy & some City driving here in Australia. The Forester even outpulled a Nissan X-Trail uphill where there were overtaking lanes and we were both loaded up. I cannot speak highly enough of my Forester at the moment, I had an MY01 Liberty (Legacy) before the Forester and it had to have the clutch replaced as it got the dreaded clutch shudder after just 3 mths. The MY03 Forester clutch has not yet exhibited any signs of that happening to date. There are lot of US & International Forester owners on another Forum where I'm member and they love their Foresters to bits and I haven't read of any of the things you mentioned above on that Forum.

I extracted the following from a reply on another Forum where I am a member: The guy who posted that has been recognised as Scooby Mod specialist and has made many mods to Scooby's in the past and to his current XT Forester. Sorry to bear bad news. :-((((((

If you are servicing the car yourself then you need to have the dealer run the Subaru Carbon Cleaner or whatever they call it, it is dispensed into "a" intake hose, I do not know which one, but it sure gets rid of a heap of crap out of your engine. That would be my next move.

It is the 4 cyl 2.5L with a Single Turbo. 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Turbo 0 - 100mph 15.52 s The XT Forester comes in at 63/269 here http://www.car-videos.com/performance/speed.asp?Speed1=0&Speed2=100

This Subaru is known as the MY04 XT Forester to help you in your search etc.

I am averaging 27.42 US MPG from my MY03 XS Forester and that is over 45 tank fulls (I fill to the neck everytime) and 12245.98 US Miles and due to where I live in Australia that includes the A/C running 98% of the time and I am not a slow driver by any stretch of the imagination. :eek: :eek:

Check out this thread over at the forester forum and you may see some improvement too. http://www.subaruforester.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1222

If you want advice on Foresters try this Forum Site http://www.subaruforester.com/forum/index.php?sid=b4fa408c4cbc201e9d998a5d12b0e903

It's a GM - SAAB "thingymabob" :D :D