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High Output Alternator 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i 4cyl

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Jan 032020

cant find any higher output alternators that look like they fit the mount. do they even make them or will i have to have one built?

There doesn’t seem to be a factory fit high performance alternator that will fit the factory mounts. There are a couple options for this. Purchase an Overdrive pulley and see if it takes care of your needed power supply issues. The factory out put is 110 amps. The Overdrive pulley sold by Carid advertises 50% increase.

They also sell a high output performance alternator that claims up to 300% more charging power but no mention of amps. And this may require using a different mounting system or fabricating one.

Maperformance offers an aftermarket alternator mounting bracket but carries a hefty price tag.

Front Brake Pad Replacement 2014 Subaru Crosstrek

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Oct 082019

My rotors, brakes or calipers are making this very high pitched noise but only have some time of driving, with the turn of the wheel, even just a little and after hitting bumps… it stops when i hit the brakes. I have a video of the noise if theres a way to share that

Generally if the noise stops when the brake pedal is applied it means you need to have the brakes serviced. Simple put, you need the brake pads replaced at a minimum. I recommend replacing the rotors at the same time you have the brake pads replaced.

Brakes

Brake Pads, Replace

Front

Removal

Do not disconnect brake hose from caliper body assembly.

1. Raise and support vehicle and then remove front wheels.

2. Remove caliper bolt on lower side.

3. Raise caliper body assembly and support it, see image.

4. Remove brake pads from caliper bracket, see image.

Installation

Ensure to install so that pad return spring faces input side of direction of brake rotor rotation.

Correctly install pad return spring to supporting surface of pad retainer.

If pad return spring is deformed or damaged, replace brake pad with a new component.

Before installation, remove mud and foreign matter from caliper body assembly and support.

Install brake pad indicator in proper direction.

1. Inspect brake pad.

2. Apply a thin coat of grease to pad retainer, see image.

3. Apply a thin coat of grease to pad and both sides of shim, disc brake front inner (a), see image.

4. Install brake pad to bracket.

5. Install caliper body assembly to support. Torque caliper bolt to 20 ft. lbs.

6. Install front wheel and tire assemblies. Torque wheel nuts; except for C4 model to 89 ft. lbs. and C4 model to 74 ft. lbs.

Inspection

Wear indicators are installed on inner and outer disc brake pads.

If pad is worn to limit, end of wear indicator contacts disc rotor and a squeaking sound is heard as wheel rotates. If sound is heard, replace pad.

Always replace pads of both wheels and both sides as a set.

Replace pad retainers if they are twisted or worn.

Replace pad if there is oil or grease on it.

1. Inspect pad thickness. Standard .43 inch, Wear limit .059 inch.

2. If wear limit is exceeded in inspection, replace brake pad.

Fans not coming on 2012 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder

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Apr 102019

My car smells like its overheating but not steaming. Fans are not coming on. tested it last night and after about 30 min of running and reving it up, it blew a little steam out radiator cap. I am not getting warning lights on the dash at all. I tested all fuses and relays to the fans. could it be thermostat? why would fans not work?

First you may want to use an external infrared thermometer. Aim it at the engine block and check the temperature. This will prove if the engine is overheating or not. If the engine is not warm enough the fan will not come on.

Fans not coming on

The Engine cooling fan is controlled by the ECM. The ECM uses an Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor signal to decide when to turn the fan on and off. I the coolant level is low the sensor will not be able to read the correct temperature. So first thing to do would be to check the coolant level. If the coolant level is low, find out why and make the necessary repairs.

Subaru Code P0037 Oxygen Sensor

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Mar 192019

I replaced my converters and the oxygen sensor but my check engine light is still on. I took it and the code was P0037 bank 1, sensor 2 low voltage ? It is a 2003 Subaru Outback with 2.5.

Subaru Code P0037

– HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor 2

How to Diagnose Code P0037

Head gasket replacement 2001 Subaru Outback Wagon

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Nov 302018

Do I need to remove the engine to replace the left hand head gasket?

No. Does not require engine removal.

Head Gasket Replacement Labor Time

2.5L Engine

one side only = 6.5 hours
both sides = 10.2 hours

3.0L Engine

one side only = 11.9 hours
both side = 12.8 hours

2001 Subaru outback makes a ticking noise

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Feb 102018

Changed my oil Wednesday and transmission. Car was running not that great before hand. Filled up oil with 10w30 synthetic and added a bottle of Lucas oil stabilizer. (I always use to add 10w30). Filled transmission with DEX3 5 quarts. (Over filled it by a quart) ever since I changed fluids when I start the car it makes a ticking noise. Once it warms up it gets lower.

2001 Subaru outback makes a ticking noise

How to diagnose a noise

White Smoke Subaru Forester 2001 GT turbo, automatic

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Feb 092017

So, one day I went to check my oil and coolant and they were both low. So I used a different car to go get the products to top them up, using both permite (that’s what last owner used) but I wasn’t sure what oil they used. There was 5-30 but there was also 5-40 which recommended using if i was putting 5-30 in it. So I put the 5-40 one in anyways that’s not the point of the story.

The point is afterwards I went to the petrol station to get some fuel and as I was stopped at the lights on my way out white smoke just came out of my exhaust. As soon as the light turned green I took off and parked to see what was going on, and it stopped? But now every time I drive my car and stop at a red light or something it smokes. At first not so much but as I’m sitting there idling it gets worse. It does stop after I’ve stopped like 4 times (for example on my way back from the shops I stopped my car in the driveway to see the smoke and it didn’t smoke at all…its soo weird, suggestions?

RESPONSE

White Smoke

White smoke is an indication of a engine coolant being burned in the engine. This can be caused by a blown head gasket or leaking intake manifold gasket.

Blown Head Gasket Symptoms

Blue Smoke

Blue smoke is created by the vehicles engine oil entering a cylinder and being burned along with the Air/Fuel mixture. A small amount of oil leaking into a cylinder will create blue smoke out the tailpipe. Blue smoke is more often and issue in older or higher mileage vehicles.

Sometimes using a thicker oil can help, but in most cases replacing the failed gaskets and seals is the best way to insure the issue is fixed.

Black Smoke

Vehicles before 1996 will sometimes emit black exhaust smoke during the first start up of the day, this is normal as long as it clears up once warm. On vehicles built after 1996 , Black exhaust smoke is not normal. This is an indication that the engine is not burning the fuel efficiently and or the fuel injection system is trying to force to much fuel through the engine.
Possible causes range from a failed O2 Sensor, Injector Stuck open, or failing MAF Sensor. Some times a simple tune up is all that is needed.

Brake Fluid Sealer 1993 Subaru Legacy wagon

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Dec 122016

Can I put some kind of brake fluid sealer to stop it from leaking?

RESPONSE

Brake Fluid Sealer

My response is NO. The brake system utilizes extreme pressures to operate. The brake fluid leak needs to be properly repaired in order for the system to function correctly. The basic principle of a brake system is the free movement of fluid through the brake lines. Any kind of brake fluid sealer would ruin the entire system and cause more damage.

How to locate a brake fluid leak

First of all park on a flat clean surface or place clean cardboard under the vehicle.Top off the brake fluid reservoir. Pump the brake pedal a few times while someone looks under the car. Hence you may notice a hissing noise. This is the fluid escaping. Look on the ground and note a puddle. If none are found maybe look at the insides of your tires. Finally this will give you an idea of the location of the leak. In conclusion brake fluid leaks are generally affordable to fix.

Turbo on 2002 Subaru Forester XT

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May 232016

My Subaru’s turbo is only active in colder weather. I live in Southern Africa where it rarely gets very cold. This car has been imported from Japan. The highest octane fuel we can get here is 95 octane. Can anybody help me with some idea where to start looking for the problem?

RESPONSE

No Recalls or Technical Service Bulletins were found when searching for Turbo related issues.

That is odd since the turbo works off the exhaust system. The Turbocharger may be going out.

Turbo Charger Replacement

Removal & Installation

Before servicing the vehicle.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the center exhaust pipe.
Separate the turbocharger joint pipe from the turbocharger.
Disconnect the engine coolant hose from the coolant filler tank.
Loosen the clamp that attaches the turbocharger to the intake duct.
Remove the oil pipe-to-turbocharger bolt and remove the oil pipe from the turbocharger.
Remove the turbocharger bracket and disconnect the oil outlet hose from the pipe.
Remove the turbocharger.

To install:

Installation is the reverse of removal, please note the following torque specs:
1. Turbocharger-to-intake duct: 2 ft. lbs. (2 Nm).
2. Oil pipe-to-turbocharger: 11 ft. lbs. (16 Nm).
3. Joint pipe-to-turbocharger using a new gasket: 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).
4. Turbocharger bracket: 24 ft. lbs. (33 Nm).

1998 Subaru forester s

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Apr 282016

My car randomly misses and bogs down and at red lights it sometimes revs up and lurches forward when holding the brake down. I have put a new fuel pump and filter, New alternator, plugs and wires, and a new coil. The transmission sometimes shifts hard but has never slipped or anything. The car has 263k miles.

RESPONSE

This sounds like a vacuum leak. Of course if the check engine light is on, the first thing to do would be to pull the engine trouble codes and post them below.

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