2002 Subaru Forester, what to look for?

[JTK]

This was a CL find my brother purchased today. I went with him. ~179Kmi, very solid body aside from some rust on the underside of the left rear door. Totally complete interior, but filthy. The car overall is dirty and needs a good going through.

Fairly clean under the hood, no immediate signs of head-gasket failure and the engine/trans run smooth, quiet and strong.

Front brakes looked good, tires very good and matching all around. Rear drums looked rusty.

The CEL was on and the owner had no problem with me plugging in my code reader. Had three codes, 1) for a faulty knock sensor, 2) EVAP system leak and 3) Catalyst inefficiency.

You could smell fuel vapors from around the fuel filler neck, so we *assume* the leak is somewhere around there.

The exhaust system looked original and very clean, hopefully we can work around the catalyst inefficiency with an anti-fouler if new fore and aft O2 sensors don't cut it.

Oh.. both inside boots for the front half-shafts were torn to oblivion.

Just lookin' for tips or tricks for this particular model if anyone cares to share!

FWIW, my brother loves buying basket cases to work on. He sells most, but will likely keep this one.

Joel

 

[NHGUY]

Converter inefficiency on a Subaru usually means....a bum converter,or an aftermarket converter was installed and it fails to meet Subaru's rather strict (it seems) emission requirements.I have also heard that a re-flash is needed when a Subaru converter is replaced.
Dont know if Forester/Impreza suffers from the same problem,but Legacy/Outback models have a nasty habit of rear subframe rust.It unbolts and is replaceable,but all suspension members bolt to it.

 

[yonyon]

The EVAP leak is very likely to be the filler neck itself. I think this is one of those where dirt thrown by the tire accumulates and causes the filler nect to rust up and crack. Also, price out replacement cats before you buy the car. I don't know what they go for on that car, but I've come across a few Subies that I couldn't find a cat for for less than $1600.

addition:

Oh, already purchased. Hmm,... Well, I dedicate my next beer to your getting a good cat at a reasonable price.

 

[JTK]

Thanks guys. Will look into those suggestions.

In regards to the bad CC deal, I'm sure he'll pursue a 'work around' rather than a new OEM CC assembly if that's how it goes.

It's funny how that works. His 1998 Outback that he brought back to life some years ago is rusty, but never has tossed a catalyst inefficiency code. That one was run with bad head gaskets for some time too!

Joel

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
..Dont know if Forester/Impreza suffers from the same problem,but Legacy/Outback models have a nasty habit of rear subframe rust.It unbolts and is replaceable,but all suspension members bolt to it.


You were right on the money with this one NH. (unfortunately!)

My bro was underneath checking out the fuel filler neck and dangling EVAP canister, only to discover he could put his HAND through the rear subframe. Oh no..

It's just odd given how clean the whole body is on this Suby w/ no evident paint/body work.

He yanked an excellent subframe from a local pick-n-pull for $25.

Next for the EVAP code.. then the dreaded catalyst inefficiency..

Joel