20 Most Recent 1998 Subaru Forester - Page 8 Questions & Answers

The oil would thin out and could show lower pressure when its warmed. The sender for the gauge could also be bad.

Well the gauge issue could be your Coolant temp switch is bad.But if the car is blowing hot air out when the ac is on,that can be a faulty thermostat new in the box(it does happen) or you have a airpocket in your cooling system which just needs bled out.Usually there is a small valve located near the water inlet to the engine just open it and run the engine until water starts coming out then close off.Or if the car is not running hot,then you may just have a blend door or the heater control valve under the dash stuck on heat so it is just letting in hot air all the time.Narrow down what it is not then you will find out what is doing it.Check the switch,check your bleed valve,then check your heater valve and hoses.All are fairly cheap to replace.

Hi, If you can't find a manual, go to Subaru for one. Good luck.

you will find the thermostat in the housing where the top radiator hose is connected to the engine.......cheers

Firing order: 1-3-2-4

The sequence of engine started normally, then the rpm dropped, followed by the bad noise is not a good sign.

The "bad noise" could be nasty, as in $$$$$ , and unrelated to the change of spark plug wires.

I'll bet the engine turns over but won't start, of maybe it fires a few times and stops. If this is the case, DO NOT keep trying to start the engine. It won't and you will do more damage trying.

What I suspect is that the main cam belt has slipped a few teeth, commonly because one of the idler bearings has jammed. What then happens is that the pistons hit the valves and bend them.

The diagnosis is done as follows (by your local garage as I doubt you have the skill or inclination):

a) remove the belts, main pulley and 3 front covers from the engine
b) remove the cam belt and inspect the idler pulleys for damage and wear.
c) realign the cams and belt correctly, and see if the engine will start. It may, but will run rough or won't start at all.
d) do a compression test on all cylinders. There should be about 150 psi in each one. You will almost certainly find one or both banks of cylinders have 50-80 psi or so, which indicates bent valves.

The fix for this requires that the heads be removed and the bent valves replaced. Taking the engine out is BY FAR the easiest way to do this, as doing it in place is extremely difficult. Getting the engine out is pretty simple once the radiator and AC condensor are removed. There's no need to remove the transmission.

In fact, if the valves are bent, its usually cheaper to get a complete running engine from a wrecker than repairing yours.

Your 98 likely has the FJ25 DOHC engine, but it could be the FJ25 SOHC. Make sure your garage gets the right one, and replaces the idler bearings, water pump and cam belt before they put it back in.

im sure it would for a subaru in extreme cases like taking it to a shop to be repaired anymore than that and you are asking for trouble that car is designed for all wheel drive

A car running hot can be of many causes. Thermostat can be checked by removing and place in boiling water thermostat should open when water reachs temp, hole in hoses hoses will expand when they become hot so a pinhole will open and beome lager when hoses heat, enginge needs flushing a lot of rust and dirt in anti freeze will cause the car not to run correctly, and water pump going bad. Also heater core however I would flush engine before replaceing heater core as it may become clogged.

Subarus tend to block their radiators. Often there is only 10% or less flow. The radiator needs to be taken out and have a radiator shop strip and rod out the core tubes or fit a new or recored radiator.

This is a system on subarus to stop you rolling back when on a hill with the clutch depressed . The brakes should unlock as you release the clutch. There is a cable attached to the clutch fork in the engine bay. This goes to a brake actuator on the left hand side. If it isnt working corectly check the cable for wear or fraying. It may need adjusting by a mechanic.

check fluid level and slave cylnder

Hi by removing the door card and removing a retaining surclip that holds it onto the door handle from the inside it should then just slide out

possible ignition problem check ignition coil wires and spark plugs

When you open the hood you will see the adjusters for the headlamp, one is for horizontal and the other vertical . Make sure that you have then on when adjusting so they will be even.

Hi, as an experienced person on this field, the four wheel drive has nothing to do with the consumption of fuel in your car. Either you use it or not, it consumes the normal fuel usage except you have some other problem with your car....

You can use my tips below to know some of the reasons why your car is using too much gas

Tire Pressure Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can negatively affect gas mileage and pose safety issues. Check the sidewall of the tires to see what the ideal tire pressure is and use a tire pressure gauge to see how your tire pressure compares.
Air Filters A dirty air filter can reduce your gas mileage. Checking it, or having it checked every time you have the oil changed, and changing it when necessary can help increase your fuel efficiency.

Faulty spark plugs, dragging brakes, kinked vacuum lines and faulty fuel injectors can cause your car to use more fuel than you think it should. Take your car to a mechanic; he should be able to identify the problem.

You may have a clogged heater core, thus restricting the flow of antifeeze in the engine, causing it to over heat. Are you certain that the car is over heating? Have you checked the coolant temperature switch? I would recommend that you run a system flush. To do this, you will need to turn the heater on while the flush is circulating. This will allow the flush to clean out the heater core.