04 F-XT owners - Page 3

capecod_wrx · 02-05-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaty

If you went in that far I don't think you had them, mine were right up by the top of the hole. Since your car is running well I don't think they are in the system anywhere.

thanks for the reassurance peaty... my wife also has an '04 FXT. i'll be checking her car soon for a comparison.

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rim3 · 02-05-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondaslayer

Mine was done about 2 weeks ago and the idle still has the Suby shake but it is not as viloent.

And at 33k just let the dealer do it. You are still under warranty.

Not a fan of the dealer, if you haven't seen my rants yet.

Just did mine this weekend. I agree, the shake isn't as violent. Both filters fell out and were easy to find. In all the pics, the top of the filter just looked like oil or something, but that is actually what the filter looks like. Before hooking the MAF sensor back up, I started the engine and let it idle to check for leaks. I also removed the resonator while I was at it. After assembling everything and starting the engine, the Check Engine light was on and the CRUISE light was flashing. Took it out for a spin to check things out and wasn't too impressed. I unhooked the battery to reset the ECU and the problem was all cleared. SHE'S BACK TO HER OLD SELF!!!! Thanks Peaty.

Does anybody have a clue what the blinking CRUISE light meant?

Hondaslayer · 02-05-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rim3

Not a fan of the dealer, if you haven't seen my rants yet.

Just did mine this weekend. I agree, the shake isn't as violent. Both filters fell out and were easy to find. In all the pics, the top of the filter just looked like oil or something, but that is actually what the filter looks like. Before hooking the MAF sensor back up, I started the engine and let it idle to check for leaks. I also removed the resonator while I was at it. After assembling everything and starting the engine, the Check Engine light was on and the CRUISE light was flashing. Took it out for a spin to check things out and wasn't too impressed. I unhooked the battery to reset the ECU and the problem was all cleared. SHE'S BACK TO HER OLD SELF!!!! Thanks Peaty.

Does anybody have a clue what the blinking CRUISE light meant?

It meant your CEL was on and you should have had it scanned before you cleared the ecm memory

rim3 · 02-05-2006, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondaslayer

It meant your CEL was on and you should have had it scanned before you cleared the ecm memory

Could I have possibly thrown the ECU off by starting the engine with the MAF disconnected? If it is actually a valid CEL and there is a malfunction, then wouldn't it come up again? I've put 150+ highway miles on it since then and it is still working well.

Hondaslayer · 02-05-2006, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rim3

Could I have possibly thrown the ECU off by starting the engine with the MAF disconnected? If it is actually a valid CEL and there is a malfunction, then wouldn't it come up again? I've put 150+ highway miles on it since then and it is still working well.

Yep.

Probably the cause, but it's always a good idea to get the code scanned before clearing the memory. You never know .

rim3 · 02-05-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondaslayer

Yep.

Probably the cause, but it's always a good idea to get the code scanned before clearing the memory. You never know .

I can't argue with that, but circumstances didn't allow.

How do I post pictures? Is there a size limit or will it automatically downsize images?

yungster1972 · 02-13-2006, 08:31 PM

I dont know if this is odd or not but my 04 FXT it didnt have any filters. Just thought I would throw that out there. -ED-

pleiad7 · 02-13-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rim3

How do I post pictures? Is there a size limit or will it automatically downsize images?

You can't attach pictures here, you have to host them someplace like photobucket.com and link them.

drew21180 · 02-14-2006, 09:25 PM

Thanks a mil, Peaty. How did you find out about this? Trial and error?

I just did this, way easier than I though. However, one problem I ran into was that I didnt have a long enough ratchet extension. I was still able to loosen the bolt but unfortunately touched the wrench handle to the positive battery terminal and shorted out. I just removed the negative terminal and continued, but scared the *%!@ out of me for a second.

Peaty · 02-14-2006, 10:31 PM

There is a TSB on this it's in the very first post.

You have to be real careful with making the battery spark. I've seen one blow up on a friend when he was testing for a spark on a sparkplug cable close to the battery. Blew the top right off the battery. Very scary.

capecod_wrx · 02-19-2006, 04:20 PM

i checked my wife's FXT this morning when i changed the oil. sure enough - both filters were there - (unlike in my FXT) - and they had both dropped.

they were a pain to get out - but in the end i was victorious. the car idles much better and runs smoother too.

SubaruCO · 02-26-2006, 01:46 AM

Pulled mine out yesterday. Both filters were there and had fallen out of the banjos. Can't say it runs any differently now, but peace of mind is a good thing.

Oddly enough this is the first time I've put a wrench to the FXT in a long time. It's a good thing I have the race car to work on to get my mod itches worked out. No need messing with the daily transportation.

pleiad7 · 02-26-2006, 02:31 AM

We finally got around to performing this minor surgery on Subed today. One of the filters was still in the bolt, the other one had dropped (but was easily retrieved with a pair of needle nose pliers).

geoffrey raiser · 03-11-2006, 04:53 PM

Thanks, Peaty! I found 1 filter had dropped, 1 was still in the banjo bolt. The dropped one came out easily with a 3-pronged grabby thingy tool. I reused the washers, torqued the bolts to 22 ft pounds, no leaks.

The motor is now noticeably quieter and smoother at idle. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention!

Geoffrey

bo9877 · 03-30-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ez bturbo

sparkplugs were changed 3k miles ago, didnt fix the problem.

Just saw this....

What brand plugs did you install? The Champions that come on the Indiana-built cars are crap to begin with, and if you replaced them with the same type of plugs it could still cause problems. Try swapping them out with a set of NGKs and then resetting the computer...most of the time that alone will fix the hesitation experienced in the Baja and last-generation Legacy/Outback.

Peaty · 03-30-2006, 05:50 PM

F-XT's come with iridium NGK plugs, it's the NA 2.5's that came with champion AFAIK

bo9877 · 03-30-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaty

F-XT's come with iridium NGK plugs, it's the NA 2.5's that came with champion AFAIK

Yes, but the guy I responded to has a Baja Turbo, which came with champions.

bhhamblin · 05-18-2006, 12:46 AM

does anybody have any pics of there Forester?

dizizjake · 05-18-2006, 02:03 AM

Here's mine....

Seayak · 07-24-2006, 09:16 AM

Peaty - you are THE MAN! I did this yesterday and I have my great car back! No more hesitation, stuttering, etc... I should've done this MONTHS ago! FYI - both filters had dropped down, just like everyone else's.

I even had a printout of the TSB for my dealer to look at - they did some diagnostics and said my car didn't need the fix! Probably took them longer to test it than it did for me to fix it ;-)

destroir · 08-24-2006, 12:23 PM

I did this fix but still have hesitation problems. It hesitates during "mild" acceleration between 2500 and 3500 RPMs... after that it's smooth. Not sure what this could be and when I took it to the dealer the last time, they said that they didn't notice anything! I'm certainly not imagining this (everyone that's ridden in my car notices it too) so I'm going to take the dealer for a ride next time around. Removing the filter almost seems to have made it worse! I'm thinking maybe spark plugs?!?

SirWilliam · 08-24-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by destroir

I did this fix but still have hesitation problems. It hesitates during "mild" acceleration between 2500 and 3500 RPMs... after that it's smooth. Not sure what this could be and when I took it to the dealer the last time, they said that they didn't notice anything! I'm certainly not imagining this (everyone that's ridden in my car notices it too) so I'm going to take the dealer for a ride next time around. Removing the filter almost seems to have made it worse! I'm thinking maybe spark plugs?!?

A grounding kit could help. How many miles? When did you change your plugs last? Do you have an aftermarket stereo system?

ne0stai2dust · 08-24-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhhamblin

does anybody have any pics of there Forester?

you can check out www.subaruforester.org. all the guys you see in here are members of that forum.

I still need to do this TSB on my car as well.....

destroir · 08-25-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirWilliam

A grounding kit could help. How many miles? When did you change your plugs last? Do you have an aftermarket stereo system?

It only has 12,000 kms (about 7500 miles). Plugs have never been changed. Factory Stereo. I only bought it about 6 months ago from a dealer that had it "sitting" in the showroom for a year and a half so when I bought it, it only had 350 kms!

Not trying to be a smartass but why would a grounding kit help?

brett s · 08-25-2006, 07:34 PM

It's an ecu thing, emissions related - that's the rpm range where it transitions between open & closed loop. A reflash can do away with it but it's not hurting anything - it's just mildly annoying. You'll get to where you either ignore it or avoid it by using more throttle...

08-24-2006, 12:23 PM	#71
destroir Scooby Newbie Member#: 120582 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ottawa - Canada Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT Silver	I did this fix but still have hesitation problems. It hesitates during "mild" acceleration between 2500 and 3500 RPMs... after that it's smooth. Not sure what this could be and when I took it to the dealer the last time, they said that they didn't notice anything! I'm certainly not imagining this (everyone that's ridden in my car notices it too) so I'm going to take the dealer for a ride next time around. Removing the filter almost seems to have made it worse! I'm thinking maybe spark plugs?!? Last edited by destroir; 08-24-2006 at 12:58 PM. Reason: upload pic

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02-13-2006, 08:31 PM	#57
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Peaty Techno Sapien Moderator Member#: 449 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lawrence, KS Vehicle: 2019 Impreza Sport Lithium Red	There is a TSB on this it's in the very first post. You have to be real careful with making the battery spark. I've seen one blow up on a friend when he was testing for a spark on a sparkplug cable close to the battery. Blew the top right off the battery. Very scary.

02-19-2006, 04:20 PM	#61
capecod_wrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 43277 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Cape Cod, MA --> Austin, TX Vehicle: '08 VDub R32	i checked my wife's FXT this morning when i changed the oil. sure enough - both filters were there - (unlike in my FXT) - and they had both dropped. they were a pain to get out - but in the end i was victorious. the car idles much better and runs smoother too.

02-26-2006, 01:46 AM	#62
SubaruCO Scooby Newbie Member#: 33566 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: International Location: Aberdeen, Scotland	Pulled mine out yesterday. Both filters were there and had fallen out of the banjos. Can't say it runs any differently now, but peace of mind is a good thing. Oddly enough this is the first time I've put a wrench to the FXT in a long time. It's a good thing I have the race car to work on to get my mod itches worked out. No need messing with the daily transportation.

02-26-2006, 02:31 AM	#63
pleiad7 Scooby Specialist Member#: 71056 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Forester central Vehicle: MY04 Forester XT PSM	We finally got around to performing this minor surgery on Subed today. One of the filters was still in the bolt, the other one had dropped (but was easily retrieved with a pair of needle nose pliers).

03-11-2006, 04:53 PM	#64
geoffrey raiser Scooby Newbie Member#: 59578 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Augustine, Florida Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT	Thanks, Peaty! I found 1 filter had dropped, 1 was still in the banjo bolt. The dropped one came out easily with a 3-pronged grabby thingy tool. I reused the washers, torqued the bolts to 22 ft pounds, no leaks. The motor is now noticeably quieter and smoother at idle. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention! Geoffrey

03-30-2006, 05:50 PM	#66
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07-24-2006, 09:16 AM	#70
Seayak Scooby Newbie Member#: 52687 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Yorktown, VA Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT 5M Silver	Peaty - you are THE MAN! I did this yesterday and I have my great car back! No more hesitation, stuttering, etc... I should've done this MONTHS ago! FYI - both filters had dropped down, just like everyone else's. I even had a printout of the TSB for my dealer to look at - they did some diagnostics and said my car didn't need the fix! Probably took them longer to test it than it did for me to fix it ;-)

08-25-2006, 07:34 PM	#75
brett s Scooby Newbie Member#: 44606 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ball Ground, GA Vehicle: 2022 Outback XT	It's an ecu thing, emissions related - that's the rpm range where it transitions between open & closed loop. A reflash can do away with it but it's not hurting anything - it's just mildly annoying. You'll get to where you either ignore it or avoid it by using more throttle...