I’ve read the scheduled maintenance for 2015 but how long do parts like the water pump, thermostat and other previous TB parts need to be replaced? I know we don’t have TB anymore but do these related parts last? Thanks
2015 Forester Maintenance
('14-'18)
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Good question. I haven't seen many, if any, complaints on this board about water pump and thermostat failures on FB engine Foresters (2011+).
I would replace the thermostat with the first coolant change at 137k miles since it is cheap preventative maintenance. Usually a failing water pump will give you advance warning by a slow drip or rattle-like noise, so you might just want to wing the water pump. However, the plastic shield covering the bottom of the engine compartment may hide a drip so you may want to do a periodic visual inspection.
I would replace the thermostat with the first coolant change at 137k miles since it is cheap preventative maintenance. Usually a failing water pump will give you advance warning by a slow drip or rattle-like noise, so you might just want to wing the water pump. However, the plastic shield covering the bottom of the engine compartment may hide a drip so you may want to do a periodic visual inspection.
So long as you keep up with proper coolant maintenance, the pump shouldn't wear to the point where it's ineffective. Unfortunately, there's no way to know whether the pump is degraded internally without having some major outward indication, such as insufficient cooling.
As ForesterBill said, check for leakage at the first coolant change and each follow-on change. Leakage from the weep hole indicates a bearing/seal issue, so if you see indications of dried coolant or an active leak, it's time to replace the water pump.
The timing chain should be lifetime, but, as we all know, nothing is lifetime. If you start to hear a rattle or any other noises that can't be located, take it to your mechanic and ensure it's not the timing chain, guides, etc. The chain can stretch over time and the guides can wear.
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I think the key to keeping any vehicle long-term, is to be proactive about investigating potential problems, which includes periodically inspecting the vehicle yourself or having a mechanic do this for you.
As ForesterBill said, check for leakage at the first coolant change and each follow-on change. Leakage from the weep hole indicates a bearing/seal issue, so if you see indications of dried coolant or an active leak, it's time to replace the water pump.
The timing chain should be lifetime, but, as we all know, nothing is lifetime. If you start to hear a rattle or any other noises that can't be located, take it to your mechanic and ensure it's not the timing chain, guides, etc. The chain can stretch over time and the guides can wear.
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I think the key to keeping any vehicle long-term, is to be proactive about investigating potential problems, which includes periodically inspecting the vehicle yourself or having a mechanic do this for you.
Amen to that! Personally I inspect my vehicles at every DIY oil change or before a long trip. In addition, I have a professional mechanic who is well-versed in Subarus do an inspection at least once a year.
Curious: how often has your mechanic saved your butt picking up on something you missed?
I don't have a personal mechanic, since I've stupidly purchased new cars only in my 20's. Now that I'm in my mid-30's and have a family, I plan to keep my vehicles looooong-term and only buy used from now on.
It probably makes sense to pay a mechanic to perform a full inspection every year, if for no other reason than to build rapport, so that they know the vehicle when it comes in for bigger-ticket items I can't do myself.
On my 2010 Forester - various mechanics suggested replacing brake pads, plug wires and control arm bushings over the course of driving it 197k miles. Not sure I really needed plug wires but took his word for it. Brake pads were not a butt-saving safety issue at the time but simply wore most of their useful life, thereby saving my wallet's butt.
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