Coolant Leak

That really sucks, $4500 for the engine!? Man if you lived here, you could pick up another 2001 Forester like yours in top condition with the 2.5L for around $4800-$5k.

Have you thought about how much you could sell it for, then the additional $4500 you'd be saving ontop of that and put it towards a new ride?
 
These decisions are always tricky. My first forester had the head gasket go and a few other bits all at the same time . Although i loved the car and had some great adventures in it, it made more sense to get another ( think foresters are a good bit cheaper here in the UK second hand) Ended up with the exact same year and model, then kept my old one for spares.

Good luck!

Cheers

Tim
 
Its not an option to sell the car. I thought about it but as my parents have said I have put so much money and time in with other things like lift, spot light, uhf, stereo, and heaps of small things I wouldn't get my money back. It would be easier to fix, rebuilt or at a last resort get another engine.

I am going to start with the small thiongs in fixing it and see if how far I can get into fixing her.
 
Yeah, maybe you'll even be able to find a banged up subie somewhere with a desent engine in it & fetch it for a good price. That's a lesson learned on cars 101! Worst investment (money wise) people make. No matter what, you will never get back the money you put into them. ;) That's why i go for desent used cars that have let the previous owners take the big hits on loss in value vs what they paid.
 
*Update

With all my issues im going to look at fixing it before looking at a new engine. With some help from the AuSubaru enthusiasts :iconwink:

I am going to deal with one thing at a time and not start looking at new engines, swaps, conversions and all the rest. Only as a last resort.

Today I have organised and sorted out where to start:

1. Its booked in for a compression test on all 4 cylinder on Wednesday.

2. The water pump is getting replaced the same day.

My parent insisted it go to a mechanic to get done and I not do it myself for these two things so I said if so they can pay
icon_biggrin.gif


3. I am going to clean the O2 sensor 2night in petrol then put it back in 2moro.

4. I will also have a look at the condition of the spark plugs to get an idea of the condition of the enigne also.

5. If all is good after these I will do the head cover gaskets (rocker cover as I call it).

Then go from here if shes not running almost perfect by then.

Taza
 
To say that doing 40,000k's with lots of off road work per se is going to wear out your engine is the biggest load of garbage I have heard since I was told about anthropegenic global warming. You have to look at what wears out an engine. What wears an engine out more than anything else is when you start it from cold- and/or have a thermostat either removed or stuck open. Not servicing the car will also wear out an engine prematurely. I have on numerous occassions mentioned a WRX in our club that has now won our 2011 speed championship on the original, 316,000km old engine and turbo. Good servicing and sympathetic driving will do it. Of course, when you buy a second hand car you never know what you have bought although a service history does help. BUT. If you run her low on oil especially when at high revs then yes- the car will probably takes it's revenge and demand a lot of money out you. And obviously you need clean filters as well
 
Just pulled the oxygen sensor once I got home from work. There was mm of flakes of carbon and black soot that came off when I pulled it out. Wiped it all off with a rag and its now sitting in petrol which is all black now. haha

Im guessing thats most probably the running rich issue :P
 
Well after putting the oxygen sensor back in, the foz is no longer running rich. There is nothing black coming out the exhaust so now its more like a petrol than a diesel. haha

Its running almost normal but there is a slight bit of white/grey smoke out the back. So im guessing thats rings/valves. Its not that bad and doesn't do it when idling, normal driving or even if you put your foot down. Really only when you rev the hell out of her (4500+rpm) and its quite faint.

Looking better but I will wait until the compression test is done.

If the compression test comes back not so great, because it is still burning massive amounts of oil. I might have the option to get an EJ251 N/A, with wirring loom, ECU, cat coverter and everything for $1200. Only 168,000km and just recently had a service done. But im going to wait before looking into it more until I see how the compression test goes.

Taza
 
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A couple of things here:

- AWD vehicles are just as capable of offroading as a "real 4wd" is - the thing that could hold it back is the low range, poor approach and departure angles, as well as ground clearance.
I say this as my Dad's on the same war path - the subaru is a very capable, cheap and reliable offroading vehicle. If I got one of these "real 4wd's" I'd be completely broke and be looking for the seriously hard core stuff - usually this type of 4wd'n is made tough by the big machines chewing it up because they're bored...

- You really, REALLY need to find out what the compression is, how the spark plugs look and to do a very thorough inspection for oil leaks. Yes 1 litre of oil is a lot of oil to drop over 500km, but stranger things have happened.
Yes it is good to get forum member's ideas of what the problem(s) could be, but now that we've given you some ideas you really need to check out what we've discussed and get back to us with the results.

I know you're parents are on your back about these issues, but until you check things out and get some solid, measurable results, you're going to be jumping to the worst conclusions before you probably need to be.

I'm hoping it's just a couple of small things. Also, revving the engine will always give a little bit of smoke. You also need to heat the engine AND the exhaust before looking at what's coming out, a cool morning/evening will see water vapour being produced.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Just got a call from the mechanic, quite a few things need replacing. The timming belt, something Hydraulic (couldn't hear real well on the phone but its to do with the timing belt), water pump and a few other things. About $600-700 worth of parts. This is going to be an expensive trip to the mechanic.

He recommended that I do them but since the front end of the motor is apart labour wouldn't be much more. Plus id rather not have the timing belt let go on the sand dune or at all.

Taza
 
I imagine the hydraulic bit he refers to is the tensioner. Replace them all as required. Looks like I need a new radiator for my car. Of course there is not a single one left in the entire country! :(
 
Rally said:
I imagine the hydraulic bit he refers to is the tensioner. Replace them all as required. Looks like I need a new radiator for my car. Of course there is not a single one left in the entire country! :(
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That sucks rally, atleast you have the impreza to drive over christmas or until you can get one :)
 
Rally said:
Looks like I need a new radiator for my car. Of course there is not a single one left in the entire country! :(
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Isn't that always the way :evil:
When you don't need something they have it, but when you do need it they don't :shrug:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Rally said:
I imagine the hydraulic bit he refers to is the tensioner. Replace them all as required. Looks like I need a new radiator for my car. Of course there is not a single one left in the entire country! :(
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Oh crap! Not the best xmas pressie :furious:

Good luck Taza, let us know how you go...
 
Car is still driveable. I first noticed it when I pulled up for lunch at Goulburn- I had been in Canberra. Drove all the way back to Sydney and it appears blocked- or partly so. One fan was blowing out hot air and the other was blowing out cool air. Thermostat already replaced. I'm flying to Mackay tomorrow and will take it to the airport as I think it will be ok. Then on Monday I'm flying to Brisbane and all going well I think it will do that too. Then next Wednesday I was going to drive to Newcastle but I think I'll take the Impreza for that. But it did have to happen when I'm going here, there and everywhere.
 
Ok picked her up... She runs great, like a new engine. Only small amount of oil burning now, nothing major :mrgreen:

As said on AuSubaru 200psi is really good for compression, 150psi for a 10year old car.

Mine:
235psi on Cylinder 1
225psi on Cylinder 2
230psi on Cylinder 3
230psi on Cylinder 4

Pretty much a new engine :twisted::cool:

I ended up doing the timing belt(plus whole kit), water pump and a few other bits and pieces aswell as the compression test. I was shown the leak on the actual water pump which I thought was interesting :P

Can't complain with the price, ($1000) nothing else is wrong with the car other than the small oil burning. She could do with a few cans of SUEC but other than that shes running great. Good for another 300k+

Really happy and in perfect time before Christmas :mrgreen:

Now I can actually go offroad. Haven't been properly in over 3 months

Thanks for the support, tips and help guys, much appreciated :biggrin:

Cheers
Taza
 
Awesome news Taza...very happy for you! :biggrin:

Your compression looks amazing, cant wait to hear what others say.

So was that $1000 for everything, parts and labour? Sounds very good for so much work.

Now comes the big test...offroad lol. Please try to be gentle on her...at least for a little while haha ;)
 
Nachaluva said:
Awesome news Taza...very happy for you! :biggrin:

Your compression looks amazing, cant wait to hear what others say.

So was that $1000 for everything, parts and labour? Sounds very good for so much work.

Now comes the big test...offroad lol. Please try to be gentle on her...at least for a little while haha ;)
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Thanks heaps Nachaluva. The compression test is god damn excellent :biggrin:

$1020 exactly for everything. Took them 3.8hours ($100 per hour they are kind enough not to charge me a complete 4hours), $600 for the timing belt kit, $80 for the water pump then just a few other bits and pieces like clamps, abit of oil, etc...

Just have to fix a few things up first on her before I hit the beach but that will be done this weekend :raspberry:

Taza
 
taza said:
Ok picked her up... She runs great, like a new engine. Only small amount of oil burning now, nothing major :mrgreen:
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Thats great news mate :)
I bet you're glad to have your Forry back & running the way it should be :raz:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
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