Hey everyone! I just bought a 1999 Subaru Forester L and it's having some issues, evidently.

 

I need the downlow on parts. I KNOW some of you would have to know where there is an awesome wrecking yard (or something) that can pull and ship things or could be in Washington somewhere.

Maybe someone knows a good shop that won't rip me off in my ignorance,(machanical stuff and me are like lemons and milk!).

 

Basically, I think I'm saying "Let me into the club! I want to learn and keep my Subaru for a long time!"

 

Right now it's making a crappy clacky noise at a tight U-Turn and sometimes it smells funny. I can't really describe the smell, I'll check on it again after I get the free diagnostic at Auto Zone (to set me on the right track).

 

My husband said something about the transmission being jumpy but I drove it more then he did and didn't get that, so we'll see.

 

I know someone didn't take good care of it at some point in it's life but I love it and want to make it well.

 

By the way: If there is an internal coolant leak, how would you detect that?

It's a bit of a ride for you, but the best independent shop in the area is Smart Service (http://www.smart-service.com/). A little late now, but an inspection of your new purchase runs about $100 and they'll give you an honest evaluation of what you need to have done. I would guess that your clacking noise is a bad cv joint on the front axle. Check the rubber boots on the outside ends of your two front axles and if you find grease all over one of them, it's the axle. Finding parts for your car at the wrecking yards will be tough since it's so new, but Aaron's in West Seattle is your best bet for newer Subes. Other than that you might luck out with the two Pull a Part yards; one in Tacoma (just off SR512, Steele St. exit) and the other in Lynnwood on Hwy. 99 just north of 188th St.

It's a bit of a ride for you, but the best independent shop in the area is Smart Service (http://www.smart-service.com/). A little late now, but an inspection of your new purchase runs about $100 and they'll give you an honest evaluation of what you need to have done. I would guess that your clacking noise is a bad cv joint on the front axle. Check the rubber boots on the outside ends of your two front axles and if you find grease all over one of them, it's the axle. Finding parts for your car at the wrecking yards will be tough since it's so new, but Aaron's in West Seattle is your best bet for newer Subes. Other than that you might luck out with the two Pull a Part yards; one in Tacoma (just off SR512, Steele St. exit) and the other in Lynnwood on Hwy. 99 just north of 188th St.

 

AWESOME!, yes, I wanted to get a pre-buy inspection, but my husband vetoed it. Ithink he really was both thinking I was not very serious about buying the car and really wanted to put me into a Land Rover Discovery.

But oh, well, the problems aren't that bad.

If it isn't the CV boot couldn't the noise also be either a steering box problem or a tire rotation issue? I'm just learning, so feel free to make fun of me!

 

ALso, how do you determine if how long a boot has been cracked and whether or not the axel, bearings or other bits in there are damaged?

AWESOME!, yes, I wanted to get a pre-buy inspection, but my husband vetoed it. I think he really was both thinking I was not very serious about buying the car and really wanted to put me into a Land Rover Discovery.

But oh, well, the problems aren't that bad.

If it isn't the CV boot couldn't the noise also be either a steering box problem or a tire rotation issue? I'm just learning, so feel free to make fun of me!

 

ALso, how do you determine if how long a boot has been cracked and whether or not the axel, bearings or other bits in there are damaged?

 

I just went out and farted around in the Forester. It's not the CV boots. I peered through the engine compartment and there is no grease on the axels and the Boots look happy and healthy.

Re the u-turn noise--might want to check your power steering pump. See if the fluid level is okay and if there's any leakage there.

and a 99 forester is a phase 2 engine. Internal head gasket leaks would be very rare. You could get an external one, but make sure you have Subaru's cure all goop installed for that. This is only a few bucks.

Take it over to Smart and they'll give you an idea what you need to do.

Re the u-turn noise--might want to check your power steering pump. See if the fluid level is okay and if there's any leakage there.

Steering pump is a good possibility; mine makes noise when it's cold so I'll be replacing it soon. Glad to hear the cv boots are okay.

Steering pump is a good possibility; mine makes noise when it's cold so I'll be replacing it soon. Glad to hear the cv boots are okay.

I checked the pump fluid and it looks beautiful and full, no leakage.

 

It's not a so much of a clunk it's a "chirp! chirp! chirp!" and it's only when I have the steering wheel wanged all the way to the lock...such as backing out of a parking space.

My husband says it's the power steering belt. So, he's going to swap that out (if he can, he hates japanese cars...he's a weird Rover freak)

We'll see if that clears it up.

 

Another thing, the "weird smell" is coming from the radiator. I couldn't smell it when I opened the engine compartment but I can smell it when I get out of the car, I don't think I recognized it as coolant because it was heated and antifreeze smalls a bit different when it's warm or something. Duh.

But there is no leak under the car, and no smell of coolant, warm or otherwise in the engine.

 

 

Thanks for all your help, everyone.

It is not unusual for a power steering system to chirp when you crank it too tight. Let up when it squeaks if it only does it at the end of the travel. Usually this is caused because you have reached the end of the movement and are still appling pressure.

If a 99 has not had all the seals changed odds are it will leak a tiny bit.

I gaurantee that your husband's views will change when he actually goes to change the belts. He is expecting the engine to be jammed in the wrong way (transverse) like most jap cars and a real PITA to work on. The soob ones are in the right way, like a pickup trucks. Really easy to change the belts.

It took me a while to find things, but now it seems easier than my BMW.