My Impreza is very nearly 3 years old and it has developed a couple of intermittent probs. I have taken out the extended warranty already BUT its in for its 3 year service a week Monday and I would like to give the dealer some info.

Prob.1 - My offside hanbrake (I assume its the handbrake) jams on solid sometimes and it takes a lot of power to release it (I mean engine power here, 1st gear and clutch out!!!) - also, when driving, if I do what the handbook says and slowly apply the handbrake the offside snatches on!! - how does the hanbrake work? any one any pictures? how do I get in to the offside hanbrake pads/mechanism?

Prob.2 - The blowing over the top of a bottle sound, this happens occasionally, at least once on a journey - Dump Valve I thought, my dealer says I haven't got a Dump Valve as such!! (MY00 Turbo Wagon UK) - its no good handing it in to them unless it is doing it all the time!!?? Could it be anything else? The car runs absolutely fine otherwise.

Any hints/help?

Pete

 

Hi Pete,

"dealer says I haven't got a Dump Valve as such!! (MY00 Turbo Wagon UK)"

don't think i would leave my car with someone that knows nothing about the car!

what does he mean "as such"

don't think they would be getting any of my money for an extended warranty if they are not prepared to fix an obvious problem!

who may i ask did you take the car to???


[Edited by jonny gav - 4/26/2003 9:35:53 PM]

 

what the **** are they on about of course your impreza has a dump valve, its a recurculating one..!

Dan

 

Loud noise between 2-4000 rpm which sounds like someone blowing over top of a bottle.
its the dump valve you do have one they all do
it was a problem with my 97/98 cars

as for handbrake i dont know sorry

 

There seems to be a recognised problem with the 1997 specification car's dump valve. This does not shut properly under boost and thus vibrates giving the sound similar to someone blowing across the top of an open bottle. It has also been likened to a steam train whistle or ship fog horn in extreme circumstances!. Meanwhile the 1998 model seems to have a totally revamped and larger blow off system, but I have had reports that the problem sometimes still occurs.

 

Bloody hell - fast replies!!

My Servicing Dealer is Mill Lane Engineering, Basingstoke - they have seemed to know what they are on about .... they have, however, gone dual franchise with Mitsubishi - I wonder if their loyalty to Subaru is quite what it used to be? I rang them up and explained the sound to the servicing manager, I said that it could be the dump valve, he sniggered and siad that I dont have a Dump Valve as such and what I have wouldnt make the noise I described. What do I make of taht then? I can only assume he knows what hes talking about?

Pete

 

By the way, the sound is most noticable when the engine is idling!!??

Pete

 

pete,

obviously he doesnt know what he is on about...

Your dump valve is fitted in the pipe circled



Not sure if the dump valve problem is associated with noise at tick over though.

Dan

 

Hi Pete

Yes of course you have a dump valve as everyone says.

The handbrake problem could well be the cable on that side not allowing the brake to disengage completely because it has gone stiff for some reason. This causes the leading brake shoe to pick up on the drum and this makes it want to engage harder as you go forwards. Maybe a temporary measure until it is fixed would be to try a short reverse to disengage the brake-it sometimes works.

Les