my subaru forester just laid down on me...

[caseydog]

Before you get too bummed out over $376, let me tell you, plastic parts can do way more damage than that.

This story is on the forum somewhere, but it was a couple years ago. I was just arriving home from the Palo Duro gathering, when I heard a very loud BANG from the front of my car.

Well, the primary cooling fan, belt driven, was made of plastic, and must have been defective, because it basically disintegrated while spinning quite fast. That sent plastic shrapnel in all directions at very high velocity. One piece put a hole in the radiator, another cut through a group of wires, another killed the alternator, while another took out the AC compressor.

Total damage? $3,500!

And, the car was out of warranty.

After a week or so of negotiating, Audi agreed to pick up $2,500, and I paid the other $1,000.

So, believe me, the damage from those plastic parts could have been MUCH worse.

CD

[Miriam C.]

You got out cheap. Heck a tune up costs that much these days. You should have heard the guy telling me $150 for wires...... My motherly "I don't think so" caused him to call me back with a $60 set......

Happy it got fixed. Now I have to wonder if the sound is the air conditioner since it is whacky too.......

[steve smoot]

CD, I do feel good about only spending $376. It could have cost way more....

Miriam, I just put plugs and wires on my Subaru less than two months ago and it cost me $150...and, it's a dang 4 cylinder....

OH and you guys did notice...the "check engine" light is on again...

So, it's back to the shop in the morning to see what else is screwed up...

[Creamcracker]

CD, I do feel good about only spending $376. It could have cost way more....

Miriam, I just put plugs and wires on my Subaru less than two months ago and it cost me $150...and, it's a dang 4 cylinder....

OH and you guys did notice...the "check engine" light is on again...

So, it's back to the shop in the morning to see what else is screwed up...

Is the GAS Cap on tightly?
Philip

[Miriam C.]

Possibly they forgot to reset the check engine light. That is if it resets...... Don't remember anymore.

[exminnesotaboy]

If the timing belt needs to be replaced, it should cost $700-$800.

We just had our super-trusty local mechanic do the timing belt on our 2002 Forester(should be identical to your 2001) and it was very reasonable: $400. So when that comes up, shouldn't be too bad. We have over 110k on it now and only replaced 2 O2 sensors, 1 knock sensor and one wheel bearing - we would buy another Forester in a second!

Anyone on here drive a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 extended cab?

My vehicle is a 2001 Tacoma 4x4 v6 extended cab. I have had it for about a year and am very happy with it.

[bledsoe3]

I love my Tacoma!

[steve smoot]

Anthony, That's a good looking truck...just what I need...

[steve smoot]

Okay...the "check engine" light went off...guess it reset itself..

[CliffinGA]

Steve if it comes back on instead of taking it too the mechanic take it by one of the national parts stores and have them check and see what the Obd code is. It will give you an idea before you take it in. My mother in law had been getting a check engine light and had planned on taking it to the shop and mentioned it to me when we were there last weekend. I took her car and had the thing checked by Adavance and just spent $13 to replace the fuel cap. Ya never know!!!

Cliff

[emiller]

That was a good price on your fix. Glad it wasn't anything too major. And yes everything is going plastic to lighten the vehicles and it is cheaper to build. A lot of vehicles now have plastic intake runners now also.

[stumphugger]

The Check Engine light has been on for 6 years on my Outback. I'm about to take it in for some work. The last guy said the computer did not report anything amiss. I should buy a gas cap as it came back on both times after a fillup.

My 1998 Outback has gone through 2 alternators, paid for by Subaru and NAPA, and blew a cam seal. I've kind of lost my faith in Subaru and am also thinking Toyota Tacoma.

[exminnesotaboy]

Anthony, That's a good looking truck...just what I need...

Thank you - and I just lifted it up 2" and added new wheels and tires:

[exminnesotaboy]

our 2001 Forester has also had a Check Engine light on and off for the last 4 years. Never runs bad and gas mileage has stayed just fine. I have a code scanner and it keeps running PO420, which is a code for "emissions system".

That code can be several different things, but since nothing is giving us issues, I just reset it and it stays off for about a month. Like clockwork, about 4-6 weeks later, it comes back on. About 4 months ago, I replaced the gas cap with a generic one from a local parts store for $9 and it has stayed off for the longest duration in recent memory.

[steve smoot]

I left the gas cap loose once and the check engine light came on. I always make sure now to turn the cap until it clicks a few times...