tomgr7

HI All, Looking for some advice please. Recently bought a 2017 XV with 36k miles on it. I was told it was FSH, but was never given any documents. So i'm not sure if this is true or not. I bought it via Evans Halshaw, Hyundai in Gateshead. In september I decided to get it serviced by an independant subaru garage in hexham (Gilesgate autocare). Used them many times before with no issues. It was also making a bit of droning type noise that I thought might have been a wheel bearing or something and I asked for some diagnosis on this. Anyway, when they serviced/inspected it they found a number of issues and told me to go back to Evans and ask for work under warranty. I've was told that the centre propshaft bearing is worn and this is what is making the "abnormal noise". Also that there is some sort of fault with the steering system and that the "steering is abnormally heavy". It was suggested that this might be the steering rack, but needed further diagnosis. There was some other issues identified as well, corrosion to the brake pipes, exhaust flange, front suspension bushes needed replacing and the engine sump pan is damaged and needed replacement. Long story short after many back and forths I had managed to get Evans Halshaw to inspect the car, but they have come back and said that there is nothing wrong with it at all. So I'm not sure if they are fobbing me off or if the original garage is trying to rip me off. That said, I know that there is something wrong with it as there is a droning type noise when driving over 40mph and the steering does feel heavy. - When compared with the three subaru's I have had in the past. Anyway, I wanted to check if anyone knows of any subaru specialists in the North East? I'm of a view to get a third opinion re the propshaft and steering issues. Also, does anyone know if a propshaft and steering rack faults are common on these cars? Its barely done any miles at 36/37k. Thanks in advance.

Hi All, Returning member needing some advice. I have a 2010 Subaru Outback. Last year the battery went flat and unfortunately I ended up going to halfords for a replacement battery and fitting. (ive learned my lesson). Unfortunately, the battery had disconnected for a good 30 minutes or so during the replacement. It took so long as they fitted the wrong battery... Anyway, once recconected everything was fine engine wise, however, upon trying to lock the car with the key fob I get an audible chirping beep type noise. The car will lock but the beep continues. I can lock the car with the key in the door and start the car with the key in the ignition. But I cannot lock the car with the key fob without getting the audible chirping noise. I've looked all over youtube and google to try to find a solution, but ive not found anything of use at all. I've read the manual and the alarm operating instructions (that came with the car) but I cannot find a solution. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Ive got a 2.5 ltr outback 2010 with a CVT. I personally dont have a bad thing to say about it, sure it drives a little bit different. However, I've never driven any other autos. So i dont have anything to compare it to. I like how smooth it is and its great for town/city driving. Also great on motorways and long journeys. I found it quite enjoyable on country roads and didnt feel that it was any less fun to my older legacy 2.0 manual. Thery are pretty reliable, although, like most things there are always scare stories about the valve body and the solinoids failing. No doubt it would be an expensive repair if it were to happen. But you dont have to buy a new clutch/flywheel like you would on a manual. In terms of CVT servicing its more complicated. Subaru Japan reccomends 3 years / 36k mile CVT servicing. However, over here Subaru UK maintain they are lifetime sealed units and not to be tampered with. Therefore you will find that no UK dealer will service at all. Which i find crazy considering that nearly every subaru sold and built for the last 5-10 years has a CVT fitted and moving forward they will all have CVT's fitted. Expecting the fluid to last 10-15 years is a little bit questionable in my opinion. That said, my 2010 has 108k miles and is (to my knowledge) still on the original fluid and it drives perfectly fine. The oil change process is a little complicated and there is a precise proceedure that needs to be followed. so you would need an experiences subaru specialist to do it properly (check out Mrsubaru1387 on youtube for videos). You also have to use specific subaru CVT fluid and they have different fluids for different models, which cant be mixed and matched. And to make it more of a pain, Subaru UK will only sell the fluid in 20ltr drums at around £200+ All in all, i quite like my CVT, Yes it would be nice to find somewhere to get the fluid changed out. But i've got no problems with it at all and it drives lovely.

There is a specifc process on a CVT fluid change. Maybe worth checking if this was followed precisely. Also, i think you have to do a "relearn" on the CVT also.

Just a quick update incase anyone is interested. Gilesgate Autocare in Hexham are willing / able to change the Transmission fluid. But only if i supply the oil first. I wasnt aware, but there are a few different types of Subaru CVT fluid and you have to use the correct one depending on which model CVT you have. If you dont, it could potentially cause problems. I havent even been able to determine exactly which fluid my CVT uses. To make it further difficult, Subaru dealers will not service them because they are considered to be lifelong sealed units. And they only sell the fluid in 20ltr drums. The CVT holds about 12lrs, but due to the design a a drain and fill will only change about 5 ltrs of that fluid and theres a whole process that needs to be followed. So i've decided to leave it for now, in fear of it costing a fortune and incase a fluid change ends up causing problems for the CVT due to the exact drain and fill process potentially not being followed.

I'd personally just have your mechanic do a visual inspection when its next in. Also, if you do change it, make sure your mechanic uses proper Subaru / oem timing belt kit.

thanks for the information, will take a look at the links. I've used Martin from Sheffield Subaru Service before. Depending on where you are he may be fairly close. I've also used Autotecnia, who are another independant subaru garage. Although, they are based in the peak district/buxton and not local to Cumbria, Durham, Yorkshire. They are very good though. At the moment im looking at Gilesgate autocare, who are another indepentant subaru/4x4 garage based in Hexham / Northumberland. So not too bad from a durham / cumbria perspective. but a good 1-2hr drive from N.Yorks. http://www.gilesgateautocare.co.uk/ Other than those three indy garages i dont know of any other garages in the north. But yes i'd wonder about the knowledge of the mechanics at the new dealerships.

Hi thanks for the reply. The car drives lovely and to my knowledge the CVT is working perfectly fine. When Croxdale looked it at re the oil temp light they couldnt find anything wrong with it and i've not had any issues since. I had noticed that croxdale had vanished off the subaru website a few weeks ago. I wasnt aware why though. You believe that they have been dropped by Subaru UK? Why would they do that I wonder. Good shout with the email suggestion. Who are [email protected]? I assume part of Subaru? I've emailed an indy subaru garage in Hexham to get it booked in for some other jobs. So i've asked him what he thinks. I think there is a dealer in Alnwick, but thats a good two hour drive from me. So not particually ideal. The new dealer in Darlington is closer, but again, depends on whether or not they do it, or have the knowledge to do it.

Hi All, I've got a 2010 2.5 Outback (EJ253) It's got 107k miles and has an auto/CTV transmission. When i got the car around two years ago, The AT Oil Temp light was flashing so i took it to Subaru Durham for a diagnostic. Whilst they had the car i asked them to service the CVT for me and made them aware in advcance that i was happy to pay whatever it cost. When i collected the car, they couldnt fhey couldnt find anything wrong with the CVT and they turned the OT oil light off. However, they didnt service the CVT for me. I was told that they had spoken to Subaru tech HQ and they were told that the CVT fluid is lifetime fluid and never requires replacing. I find it suprising that the dealer I dealt with didnt seem to have a foggiest until i asked them about it. Interestingly they are no longer a subaru dealer... However, this is silly. No oil/fluid is lifetime. (MR Subaru1387 on youtube talks about this if interested). He argues that Subaru Japan state CVT oil changes every three years / 36k miles Given that all subaru's now have CVT's fitted. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has had their CVT serviced and if so who did it. thanks all.

Out of interest where did you order the accessories from?