Comments for http://allwheeldriveauto.com Mon, 20 May 2013 20:25:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Which Coolant is Right For My Subaru? by Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/which-coolant-is-right-for-my-subaru/#comment-209092 Justin Stobb Mon, 20 May 2013 20:25:35 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=980#comment-209092 Hi Charles, I would encourage you to rethink the brand of gaskets you are using unless you also plan on dropping in a domestic V8 into the Subaru while you are at it, as that's what that company is good at and not so much with the Subaru. I realize they have a popular name as they make gaskets for everything, but they don't make the "best gaskets" for every application and thats what you want to focus on. Any aluminum safe, green in color coolant should suffice. Justin Hi Charles,

I would encourage you to rethink the brand of gaskets you are using unless you also plan on dropping in a domestic V8 into the Subaru while you are at it, as that’s what that company is good at and not so much with the Subaru. I realize they have a popular name as they make gaskets for everything, but they don’t make the “best gaskets” for every application and thats what you want to focus on.

Any aluminum safe, green in color coolant should suffice.

Justin

]]> Comment on Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. by Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-209089 Justin Stobb Mon, 20 May 2013 20:20:38 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-209089 If the Vibration is still there the first Tech might be right. Its better to address the HG prior to it overheating, but not if they show no early signs of failing. Justin If the Vibration is still there the first Tech might be right.

Its better to address the HG prior to it overheating, but not if they show no early signs of failing.

Justin

]]> Comment on Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. by Gibby http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-208984 Gibby Mon, 20 May 2013 05:29:37 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-208984 Thank you Justin. Your feedback is very much appreciated. I will go ahead with replacing the HG. Yes it's hard to find a good diagnostician (same with doctors' diagnoses), especially out here in sticksville. However, I trust my mechanic fully. So that if he says he can replace it, I believe him. (Surprisingly, I have a lawyer I can trust too, so there is something to be said about sticksville.) I will let you know how we make out. Overall, we have had very few major problems with our Subarus, and though I wish some engineer had done a better job in the first place, as you said, the HG problem is just a bump in the road Thank you Justin. Your feedback is very much appreciated. I will go ahead with replacing the HG.
Yes it’s hard to find a good diagnostician (same with doctors’ diagnoses), especially out here in sticksville. However, I trust my mechanic fully. So that if he says he can replace it, I believe him. (Surprisingly, I have a lawyer I can trust too, so there is something to be said about sticksville.)
I will let you know how we make out.
Overall, we have had very few major problems with our Subarus, and though I wish some engineer had done a better job in the first place, as you said, the HG problem is just a bump in the road

]]> Comment on Which Coolant is Right For My Subaru? by Charles M http://allwheeldriveauto.com/which-coolant-is-right-for-my-subaru/#comment-208836 Charles M Sun, 19 May 2013 00:42:19 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=980#comment-208836 I have a 2004 Forester XT. I'll be rebuilding the short block myself in a couple weeks. I'll be using Felpro Head Gaskets and Felpro/Victor Reinz for other miscellaneous seals/gaskets. It is at 99,000 miles. Does it matter what coolant I use as long as it does not contain any phosphates? I have a 2004 Forester XT. I’ll be rebuilding the short block myself in a couple weeks. I’ll be using Felpro Head Gaskets and Felpro/Victor Reinz for other miscellaneous seals/gaskets. It is at 99,000 miles. Does it matter what coolant I use as long as it does not contain any phosphates?

]]> Comment on Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. by Holly http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-208677 Holly Sat, 18 May 2013 00:29:30 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-208677 We have a 97 outback legacy. Had it in the shop this week because of a weird vibration in back(you only hear it on the freeway when decelerating). Mechanic checked it out said the tires were separating and needed an alignment. Took it to the tire and alignment store. They said tires were fine and not separating. They did an alignment and re balanced the tires. Haven't been back on the freeway yet hope that took care of the problem. Any thoughts if the vibration noise is still there? Also when I came to pick up the car he told me about the HG issue and encouraged us to fix it before we had a problem we are at 166k . No mention of oil in the coolant reserve. Seems like an expensive repair for a maybe issue. Thoughts? We have a 97 outback legacy. Had it in the shop this week because of a weird vibration in back(you only hear it on the freeway when decelerating). Mechanic checked it out said the tires were separating and needed an alignment. Took it to the tire and alignment store. They said tires were fine and not separating. They did an alignment and re balanced the tires. Haven’t been back on the freeway yet hope that took care of the problem. Any thoughts if the vibration noise is still there? Also when I came to pick up the car he told me about the HG issue and encouraged us to fix it before we had a problem we are at 166k . No mention of oil in the coolant reserve. Seems like an expensive repair for a maybe issue. Thoughts?

]]> Comment on Subaru Repair Seattle: Wheel Bearings Explained Part 1 by Barrie Richardson http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-repair-seattle-wheel-bearings-explained-part-1/#comment-208655 Barrie Richardson Fri, 17 May 2013 21:55:26 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=440#comment-208655 Lat year i was looking for a "beater" to replace my 20 year old Grand Cherokee V8. I came across a 2001 subarea which had its entire service history included, including three Right Rear Bearings. I am no going to have the upgrade you described installed. Nevertheless, this is a great little car. AT 305,000 Kilometers it has had its timing belt break, causing the then owner to sell it. The garage that bought it rebuilt one cylinder bank and re-gasketed the other. It came with fresh brake pads and disks, everything from clock to A/C to heated seats works! Tranny is tight, and the thing starts up every time and soldiers on. I would defiitely get another Subaru with the 4-cam motor, and the rugged serivce I can expect. Lat year i was looking for a “beater” to replace my 20 year old Grand Cherokee V8.

I came across a 2001 subarea which had its entire service history included, including three Right Rear Bearings. I am no going to have the upgrade you described installed.

Nevertheless, this is a great little car. AT 305,000 Kilometers it has had its timing belt break, causing the then owner to sell it. The garage that bought it rebuilt one cylinder bank and re-gasketed the other. It came with fresh brake pads and disks, everything from clock to A/C to heated seats works! Tranny is tight, and the thing starts up every time and soldiers on.

I would defiitely get another Subaru with the 4-cam motor, and the rugged serivce I can expect.

]]> Comment on Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. by Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-208642 Justin Stobb Fri, 17 May 2013 18:32:33 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-208642 Hello Gibby, I am confused about the cam/cranks sensor thing because of a overheat event? So it sounds like maybe the HG was failing, some coolant made its way into the cylinders and because water is not all that flammable the car had some symptoms. Then after the internal HG was misdiagnosed it was ran to the point where it stopped? My suggestion first of all is to not let the shop that missed the internal HG failure anywhere near it, if that can be done the engine should come out and be accessed as best as possible, a Subaru that overheats severely can in fact damage the oil control rings so the risk in making HG repair is that it may use some oil in between oil changes, which to me is not the end of the world but to others a big deal. I would never ever ever ever install a used engine with out taking it a part and replacing the head gaskets. I would not spend $ on a 2003 you already have the same car, just repair what you have even if it means a reman shortblock, and some work to your heads and costs $4500. That's the single best way to handle your situation in my opinion, this advice will cost the least amount of money, makes sense if you still like the car which seems like that is the case if you were thinking about a 2003 Outback. Putting money int a car you already own will impact your back account the least out of any other option other than taking the Bus. Justin Hello Gibby,

I am confused about the cam/cranks sensor thing because of a overheat event?

So it sounds like maybe the HG was failing, some coolant made its way into the cylinders and because water is not all that flammable the car had some symptoms. Then after the internal HG was misdiagnosed it was ran to the point where it stopped?

My suggestion first of all is to not let the shop that missed the internal HG failure anywhere near it, if that can be done the engine should come out and be accessed as best as possible, a Subaru that overheats severely can in fact damage the oil control rings so the risk in making HG repair is that it may use some oil in between oil changes, which to me is not the end of the world but to others a big deal.

I would never ever ever ever install a used engine with out taking it a part and replacing the head gaskets.

I would not spend $ on a 2003 you already have the same car, just repair what you have even if it means a reman shortblock, and some work to your heads and costs $4500. That’s the single best way to handle your situation in my opinion, this advice will cost the least amount of money, makes sense if you still like the car which seems like that is the case if you were thinking about a 2003 Outback.

Putting money int a car you already own will impact your back account the least out of any other option other than taking the Bus.

Justin

]]> Comment on Subaru Head Gasket Repair by Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-repair/#comment-208640 Justin Stobb Fri, 17 May 2013 18:09:30 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=1544#comment-208640 The bolt is torqued to over 100 ft lbs, it can take double that in reverse break it free and that will require leverage unless you are "Arnold" back in the 80's, the crank shaft pulley tool will help, or a band wrench or once the engine is out a 1/2 impact wrench. Justin The bolt is torqued to over 100 ft lbs, it can take double that in reverse break it free and that will require leverage unless you are “Arnold” back in the 80′s, the crank shaft pulley tool will help, or a band wrench or once the engine is out a 1/2 impact wrench.

Justin

]]> Comment on Why Does My Subaru Use Oil? by Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-does-my-subaru-use-oil/#comment-208639 Justin Stobb Fri, 17 May 2013 18:07:20 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=1242#comment-208639 I would not suggest an aftermarket oil filter during the warranty period of 5 years 60k Why take the chance? As far as would a lower bypass cause a problem, it may force it into bypass sooner, the idea is to change the oil and pre bypass mode. Justin I would not suggest an aftermarket oil filter during the warranty period of 5 years 60k

Why take the chance?

As far as would a lower bypass cause a problem, it may force it into bypass sooner, the idea is to change the oil and pre bypass mode.

Justin

]]> Comment on Seattle Subaru CV Boots And Axle Problems Explained by Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/seattle-subaru-cv-boots-and-axle-problems-explained/#comment-208638 Justin Stobb Fri, 17 May 2013 18:05:00 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/?p=380#comment-208638 Cant answer that without knowing the Date of production from both, and then a physical comparison may be needed. Justin Cant answer that without knowing the Date of production from both, and then a physical comparison may be needed.

Justin

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