Mr B

^ only if was liked to gearbox reverse switch and new oil helping movement/function of it !

The 255lph walbro does whine a bit, was old one same flow model ? Is a lot of china pumps out there .... The earlier sti (pre 2008) or wrx (2008-2009 wrx is same pump as earlier sti) is easy swap, we used them few times as easy find a few low mile pumps pulled purely for tuning and they cheap grade A quality pumps . I would imagine your issue was more than one fault, hopefully some of new parts have helped and bit of diagnosis can finish it off .

I would be inclined pick up a used oem sti/wrx pump and confirm the FPR is standard as your last attempt and tidy up before handing it to specialist . Just no need for a 255lph pump and you better off with oem match/quality . O2 readings etc should give someone idea/clues if fueling off, being intermittent stumble/miss possibly not but hopefully good visual inspection and diagnostics can pin something down . We got well over 20K in diagnostics kit, picoscope being one of our newer ones and it super useful, can pick out faulty commutator on a fuel pump motor for example in 5 minutes, intermittent stuff can still be pain but can't see it going be too much of a problem for Subaru specialist .

Using the new parts cannon technique is expensive ... Got be super fussy buying used turbo models, Subaru of this generation are above average in reliability so you guys been unlucky with what purchased . I wouldn't use a 255lph pump on it (assume running standard boost and map), ideally want pick up an sti or 2008-2009 wrx oem pump . We don't use walbro full stop, use denso mostly or bosch . You want get fuel pressure checked & see FPR (fuel Pressure regulator) is standard unit and working right. If has aftermarket FPR get an oem fitted . Ideally these faults needs diagnosis, we can run pressure guage in fuel line and also use an oscilloscope on pump power supply so can see pump operation and motor health etc . Can use oscilloscope on ignition too to rule out or pin down fault .

^ probably eBay but always worth getting price from local supplier before committing . personally I think Meyle drop links are better than the blueprint, can't go far wrong with blueprint stuff in general, ignition leads are junk though ;-) We find eBay prices can be better than what we get trade from local factors, so much so we got about 4K in common parts stocked now as makes prices better for customer plus jobs can be done quicker because stocked and using our preferred quality which generally fits far better as well as lasting like oem too .

Only brands we use are Blueprint or Meyle HD, we not had bother with either and price sensible too . Blueprint ADS78504 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anti-Roll-Bar-Link-fits-SUBARU-FORESTER-Front-Left-or-Right-2-0-2-5-2002-on-New-/232082360398? Meyle HD 34-160600003/HD http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEYLE-Front-Right-Stabiliser-anti-roll-bar-DROP-LINK-ROD-No-34-16-060-0003-HD-/361074352328? l like the Meyle ( used these on few local farm foresters and they been going strong almost 3yrs), left and right are same part so no need worry handed )

All my parts drivers have wired call mic and speaker system and 90% of similar business use do too without major drama as being described, is it a distraction, yes, but so is so many other things. How many people actually pay actual full possible 100% attention/focus when driving. emergency services etc use radio communication while in some awkward driving situations without major drama. Used sensibly for audio communication it not a big problem, If think driving so difficult while talking to someone try manoeuvring a helicopter while talking to ground crew via headset ...

It the individual not the technology, people been using CB and radio equipment in vehicles for over 3 decades without massive drama. I can remember the huge mobile box heavy as a car battery we had back in 1990 and amount of people using CB. It no drama with common sense, unfortunately newer generation don't have common sense and also suffer an addiction to social network apps which are the big problem not a basic audio phone call .

Sounds worthwhile having look at pump, pickup and filters. worth checking mounting position and pickup as most issues on low lank is pickup position related .

Rather than A/T, ones I like and think great buy are hankook optimo 4S , excellent in snow, ice, winter rain etc, quite good on muddy tracks but obviously heavier A/T tread beats it here.It all down to what usage you doing and annual mileage too really, likes of the optimo also good fuel rating and that helps quite a bit in the fozzy mpg. I got toyo open country on one of mine, they okay and got them as local tyre supplier had them left over from buyer who dropped out so done him a favour and had them, optimo 4S far far better if mainly road/hardish tracks and similar cost .

van drivers and businesses need phones working. This idea is not workable unless your phone had gps active, would also be easy hack around any implementation or use older hardware devices . End of day more severe punishment for offenders is only way. While writing text is indeed major stupidity, actually making or taking a call is no bother and with bluetooth & other wired handsfree more safe than many other things you can be doing while driving such as eating, smoking, playing with sat nav, playing with audio system etc . It not just drivers who an issue, pedestrians wondering round like zombies with smartphone or tablet in their face are a risk to themselves and everyone else, fine them as well ...

Time for a specialist and bit of diagnostics. Could be as simple as a small air leak, other things such as O2 sensor TPS maf/map could all be possible. Have seen air leaks trigger the egr codes so good area check as work through it . Doubt it anything major but Subaru specialist look over from basics to in depth scoping if needed could pin it down fairly quickly compared to someone less experience in the brand .

Updates us after your wales trip, would nice see most faults resolved and you had great drive .

Good result. Those plugs get left a lot, I seen it even on cars with full dealer history and a recent last stamp :-/ Coil packs do play up a lot too, keep old ones in a zipped bag as not all bad so got spare or 2 . Lucky really as DIY effort cost about same in parts as just labour/diagnostics probably and being done now means you get benefit of A1 new parts for the long run . Plugs get easier with practise, just right socket and extensions make all the difference too. Quite possible code not fully cleared or pump/valves needed bit of use to settle in . Glad it worked out and hope all is well . Have a good run on your trip and enjoy the 2.5 ...

^ EJ201 NA . you have MAP sensor , no MAF .

Likes of ebay good place get plugs at sensible price. Coils don't have service schedule, being intermittent issue not likely you going diagnose bad one easily, If have a multimeter you can do checks on coil winding impedance.

Sounds a plan, if lucky it plugs, coil packs are reasonably common and finding a visually cracked one or more would in some ways be good :-) If all coils look fine you would be wise do plugs and test outcome . expect halfords or small car accessory parts store doing sunday trading can do plugs, prices won't be as good as online pricing wise . ngk or bosch plugs would do you . Would be wise review you plug tools before going shopping as find may need longer tool/extension you can try source all in one trip.

Coil packs easy/quick remove compared plugs so no bother removing again. Up to you if want invest in set of new coil packs, will be £160 roughly and if issue not ignition then money wasted. I would ideally look at them and do road test with diagnostics logging . Plugs make sense as never a bad thing have known new plugs in, whether you go for coils is entirely your decision, I would try look at them asap as only 1 bolt & plug loom then pull off, if see crack or spark tracking marks then get new and fit when do plugs . Plenty other things could be causing hesitation/missing but I can understand the frustration .

mmm possibly airpump, when valves been stuck open airpump gets rough time. see if code thrown again :-/ Plugs are a driveway job, how easy it turns out depends on what plug tools you have at your disposal, watch a youtube video and have a go, you may need invest £10-£20 in plug tools. It not hard just little awkward till got tool & technique sussed. Set of iridium plugs can be had under £35. Mark position of removed plugs as tip colours will tell you a lot about how cylinders are running. You will be removing plug coil packs off of each plug so best physically look at these, the plastic housing has a habit of cracking so have a good look at them for cracks and signs of arcing from a short, new decent quality set of coil packs around £160 so no point buying until had a look at current ones, plugs are cheap & might as well have new on hand and bang them in. Under what scenario does it misfire, is it always under load/boost,does it ever miss when idling or light throttle ?

In long run it will probably be cheap fun car . A scruffy body is worse than small mechanical niggles, you never get same paint quality as the older factory original paint, they can last well over 25yrs with basic care. It quite hard find unmarked forester SG's as bumpers and arches so easily marked as all painted and over prominent . Hopefully you new valves have the air system working okay so you won't be back tracking on that and to be fair they should last your ownership hopefully . Old Fozzies look like sick dogs with the saggy butt, handling is indeed awful when sls strut hydraulics fail. Subaru parts prices are shocking, new rear shocks would cost about £800 a pair for bare shock strut :-O they would be wise discounting prices on common older parts to keep the business and subaru dealer image but they not too smart so it falls to us subaru specialists :-) Be fussy with your servicing (quality ester synthetic for engine changed regular and good coolant, 2,5 head gasket issues amplified from poor oil and old or bad choice of antifreeze), use good fuel and motoring should be pretty smooth going with luck . Crack on and enjoy it, wiser spending on this than having newer junk on credit . This is link to cheap easy use code reader, work well on subaru and what I recommend to users who not into obd via phone app . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Engine-Fault-Code-Reader-Diagnostic-Scanner-Reset-Tool-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-EOBD-UK-/172200936611

I would advise you get a cheap obd reader. Either Bluetooth dongle for torque app if android user or simple stand alone handheld unit (£10) worth their weight in gold and just store in glove box . Is an eBay link to one in couple threads. Your buying price seems fair and if condition super clean it still worth it. Problem with air valve system is you likely end up buying most parts get it fully working so is expensive . Misfire hopefully easy one (if indeed misfire). Coil packs split so likely cause along with plugs and a must 1st check area, boosted cars need A1 ignition system, higher compression from boost equals more resistance so systems fails easier. I would assume previous owner sold due to air valve issue, main dealers would priced that at heart attack figures. You best avoiding main dealers as much as possible as besides basic servicing they got little older vehicle fault experience and only know replacing oem new for old . Stick with it as likely get perfect with bit more time and money . Your mechanic sounds genuine and helpful, Subaru very easy work on once gain basic knowledge .

Best bet would of been removal of the secondary air system, system is just a con to dilute emission readings and best place for it is in a metal skip. What is current code for CEL Ideally you going want pull plugs and check them and the coils, as they hard to get to they get left a LOT, I've done a few even ones with stamped recent history have had junk plugs that been overlooked out of laziness. I would get them pulled inspected and bang a new set in just to eliminate basics plus plugs sorted for long term . Big mistake so far was spending on air valves, about half that cost would of had it removed from map and blanked thus never anymore issue. Hopefully current cel more related to misfire ! Going Subaru specialist is way go as generally we can pinpoint areas of fault more accurately and wisely invest your money for long term benefit . Good luck .

neutral switch is the highest mounted of the 2 If in doubt put ignition on and in reverse and if pull connector off reverse switch the reverse lights will go out. You may have the later model with map intake system over maf. if maf - maf is a small square looking block with loom connector bolted to flat moulding on plastic intake pipe. you remove plug and bolts and sensor pulls out and element cleaned with carb cleaner. Give me your engine number if need more precise info to what you actually got . Shame mouldings not going on, would been nice way do them if rust minimal . One of those jobs where 4 arms and a heat gun or hair drier would be useful .

generally the oem units don't .

Good luck and maybe you get some snow to play in. chase up any glitches and use warranty to the max as these models can get expensive sorting issues if unlucky .