Subaru Forester 2003 FAQs

Check out real-world situations relating to the Subaru Forester 2003 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

• Subaru Forester 2003: Rotten-egg smell?

  THE rotten-egg smell is sulphur dioxide, usually a sign your catalytic converter has failed. If that's what you smell take it back to the dealer and pursue a resolution with him. A malfunctioning converter should be picked up by a diagnostic check by the mechanic, but may have been missed. If the smell is always present when you get out of the car, take the car back to the dealer and go for a drive with the service manager or mechanic to show him what you are concerned about.

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• Subaru Forester 2003: When to change the water pump?

  SUBARU told us it is not necessary to replace the water pump every time the cam belt is changed. The company says current spare parts sales for cam belts are more than six times those of water pumps for the Forester. But they say some workshops recommend checking the water pump when replacing the cam belt because replacing the pump requires the cam belt to be removed. It is suspected some workshops replace the water pump unnecessarily because of small signs of seepage from the breather hole. Slight seepage is normal as this is designed to drain water pump seal seepage. Subaru Australia issued a bulletin to dealers in July 2006 to inform them of this.

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• Subaru Forester 2003: Wind noise from driver's side

  A Subaru dealer would be able to fix it for you, so too should a competent panel beater or mechanic. If you're not sure of your local panel beaters or mechanics take it to a dealer who should have both the competence and parts needed to affect a repair.

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