mkdwalk Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Alright, I need opinions from you Subaru guys. Here's the story. Bought my 1st Subaru (2000 OB Wagon) 2 yrs ago. Fine car. No problems except replacing the FL wheel bearing. I take the car in for the 60K service, they tell me I need to replace the FR CV boot. Fine, I understand and I'm not surprised. So, here's where it gets good. . . I picked up the car Saturday afternoon after the service. Immediately I notice something wrong. The car won't go over about 3k RPMs. Pulling onto the interstate I can't get it to kick into 4th gear, but again, the RPMs aren't spiking either. I call the dealer and they tell me to bring it in immediately. I return immediately. The mechanic drives it, comes back and tells me he didn't notice anything. I drive it with him, and sure enough, its driving like a charm. He mentions it could be some fuel additive remaining from where they had flushed the fuel lines. Makes sense, I leave. By the time I get home (30 minutes) the car is basically stalling out at stop signs. We don't drive the car on Sunday. Monday morning my wife calls w/ the same issues. She calls Subaru and takes it in. The mechanic rides w/ her and it drives fine, of course. I insist she leave the car, get a loaner, and let them drive the car when its "cold". Next morning, I drive the car w/ the service guy and it FINALLY acts up. Its as though when you push the gas, the engine doesn't get the message. In my non-mechanic mind I tell the guy it seems to be a fuel-line issue or a bad plug. He agrees. Then, the mechanic drives it home last night and back this morning so he can experience this problem because we think its primarily happening when the car is 'cold'. I call this afternoon to get an update and they tell me the it looks like I might have a fuel pump going out. The tone of his voice hinted that this would not be a free fix and he believes the 60k service and this fuel pump are not related. I didn't argue or push the point as this will be a discussion for tomorrow. Now, is it me, or does this seem WAY too ironic for my fuel pump to start acting up w/i 3 miles of me picking up my car from its 60k service? The service guy who finally experienced my hiccups even noted that the car was undrivable in this condition and he believes me when I say this was not a pre-existing condition. Am I off-base in assuming that the 60k and my new problem are related? Any and all comments/suggestions are grately appreciated. Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Stuff happens..... That being said its unusal for the fuel pump to go that early and yes its not a cheap fix. If you are handy you can go to an autoparts store and get just the pump. Subaru may sell you an assembly, which can give you a heart attack. Ask them to do a fuel pump pressure and flow test to see what is going on. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 It could be either way. When it happens to me it is usually because I left a connection loose or something. I have seen coincidence too though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkdwalk Posted March 2, 2006 Author Share Posted March 2, 2006 Thanks for your replies. I guess, what I'm really trying to ask is this: In your opinion, is the fuel pump related to my 60k service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 If they left a vacume hose off someplace, yes. If it is a fuel problem, no.. stuff breaks. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkdwalk Posted March 2, 2006 Author Share Posted March 2, 2006 Nipper, how much $$ are we talking about for the fuel pump assembly and how much $$ for the fuel pump only at a parts store? After the 60k + cv boot + 4 new tires soon + fuel pump, I'm thinking I'd rather sell it and go back to good 'ol Honda (or the nice '06 Forrester loaner they have me in). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Nipper, how much $$ are we talking about for the fuel pump assembly and how much $$ for the fuel pump only at a parts store? After the 60k + cv boot + 4 new tires soon + fuel pump, I'm thinking I'd rather sell it and go back to good 'ol Honda (or the nice '06 Forrester loaner they have me in). OK in all fairness you cant blame tires at 60K on the car . Also boots rip thats a fact of life. There arent too many complaints of riped boots on here. The only thing i see here unusual is the fuelpump, and i have no idea as to the $$. Not to pick on you personally, but its annoying when people put the car down because wear items, well they wear. There are many differnt tires out there, some wear out faster then others. Gte a high milage tire next time if you want, but beware the trade off is ride and noise. Last time i checked Hondas wore out tires too. The boots are in a very harsh enviroment and road trash can rip one, the same way road trash can crack a windsheild. Call a parts store that carries name brand parts and ask them, then call the dealership. Also this is from a fuel pump site on the net for subaru pumps : Alleged fuel pump failures can often be traced to a faulty fuel pressure regulator instead of (or in addition to) the pump itself. To avoid unnecessary warranty returns and comebacks, Seller strongly recommends testing (and, if in doubt, replacing) the fuel pressure regulator before considering the diagnosis of a faulty fuel pump to be complete and correct Like i said the need to test the pump performance, and i find it unusal for a pump to go bad so early, but it happens. Testing the pump performance will tell them if it is the regulator or not. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 I'd want to be pretty sure it is the fuel pump. A bunch of things can give you those symptoms and I would want to see a guage on it while it was misbehaving. Water in the gas can do that as well as a fuel filter cloging up. When did you last service the filter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Ermmm, the fuel filter is supposed to be replaced at 30k and 60k. I think either they didn't replace it and "cleaning the lines" freed up enough gunk to clog the filter, or during the install someone overlooked something. Gunk could in theory also have killed the fuel pressure regulator. Both these items should be serviced/replaced before the fuel pump!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkdwalk Posted March 2, 2006 Author Share Posted March 2, 2006 Thanks to all who responded. Turns out to be an $80 Mass Air Sensor (??). Should have it back tonight. And, Nip, the only issue troubling me w/ the car was the fuel pump. As stated in my initial post, CV Boot & tires didn't surprise or bother me. "I take the car in for the 60K service, they tell me I need to replace the FR CV boot. Fine, I understand and I'm not surprised." Having my car drive great on the way to the 60k and dirve like crap after the service does irritate me to no end. This is my 1st Subaru, and I owned 4 Honda's prior -- so forgive the Honda reference, but its the only car experience I can compare to. I was growing to love my Suby, this week de-railed me, and hopefully tonight I can begin to love it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 I was growing to love my Suby, this week de-railed me, and hopefully tonight I can begin to love it again. mkdwalk, you've just experienced the weakest link in the Subaru organization, most dealerships and service centers suck. Love your car, hate your stealership. BTW, maybe they sabotaged your Legacy so they could bait you with a new Forester ... then lowball you in a trade for a poorly running car and you go away in a brand new demo. But then, I'm a cynic by nature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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