The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-06-2002, 08:08 PM
wasions's Avatar
wasions wasions is offline
SVX Black Belt Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Mount Carmel, Illinois
Posts: 1,353
Red face Ooooh, that smell. Smell that smell.

Wife, our daily driver, has been telling me the last couple of days, about a 'burning rubber' smell in the SVX on some, but not all days. So this a., on the way to church, "By golly, smells like burnin' rubber. Hmmmm".

Okay, I'll look into it as soon as I get a chance.

Took the X to a funeral later this afternoon. No smell. After the funeral,
No BATTERY! Dead. That's it. Kaput.

It's a seven-year DieHard that's only three-anahalf years old. It's real dead. (Sears is way out of *this* town - and probably closed.) AutoZone time. New 900 amp. battery. (Cheaper than the DieHard)

So now I've got this core in my trunk that I'm hoping to get big bucks for. Will I? I'll find out tomorrow.

What bothers me is: why? No warning lights. Alternator belt is plenty tight. Started fine four times just today, and then - Ooops, no fire. Puzzling, what?

And that smell.

Steve
__________________
Steve
'95 Polo Green SVX L AWD, 188K - "Kermit" (Gone, but not forgotten)
'02 Outback LLBean, 56K
'02 Black Sapphire Volvo V40, 133K - "Shadowfax"
'06 Triumph Tiger, 19K
'99 Suzuki DR350SE, 8.5K - "Geezer Killer"
<*}}}}>< ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ><{{{{*>
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-06-2002, 09:21 PM
Beav's Avatar
Beav Beav is offline
Not as old as Randy
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 3,883
Significant Technical Input
Usually when I get a customer complaining of a 'rubber burning' smell it turns out to be an oil leak dripping on hot exhaust. Sometimes a belt slipping over a frozen pulley (but that doesn't last very long ) or electrical insulation melting.

You'll be lucky if you don't have to pay someone to take your core - best bet is to take it to AutoZone with your receipt (to show that you bought its replacement there.)

Sudden battery failure is normally due to a broken cell connector or an internal short. If I remember correctly some Die Hards are calcium-whatever batteries and they hold a great amount of energy but when they completely discharge they can take three to four days of slow charging to completely restore. Just to be on the safe side I'd let someone check the alternator output.

Beav
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-06-2002, 09:37 PM
wasions's Avatar
wasions wasions is offline
SVX Black Belt Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Mount Carmel, Illinois
Posts: 1,353
Quote:
Originally posted by Beav
Usually when I get a customer complaining of a 'rubber burning' smell it turns out to be an oil leak dripping on hot exhaust. Sometimes a belt slipping over a frozen pulley (but that doesn't last very long ) or electrical insulation melting.

You'll be lucky if you don't have to pay someone to take your core - best bet is to take it to AutoZone with your receipt (to show that you bought its replacement there.)

Sudden battery failure is normally due to a broken cell connector or an internal short. If I remember correctly some Die Hards are calcium-whatever batteries and they hold a great amount of energy but when they completely discharge they can take three to four days of slow charging to completely restore. Just to be on the safe side I'd let someone check the alternator output.

Beav
Oh yeah. That's what I wanted. The really good news.

Thanks for the post anyway. I'll let you know what happened.

Steve
__________________
Steve
'95 Polo Green SVX L AWD, 188K - "Kermit" (Gone, but not forgotten)
'02 Outback LLBean, 56K
'02 Black Sapphire Volvo V40, 133K - "Shadowfax"
'06 Triumph Tiger, 19K
'99 Suzuki DR350SE, 8.5K - "Geezer Killer"
<*}}}}>< ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ><{{{{*>
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-07-2002, 09:35 AM
craigk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
pully

Check the crankshaft pully. Mine and several other peoples have failed. I don't remember a smell, but it's the rubber that fails and I suppose it could generate a smell. It fails because the pully comes loose from the rubber damper and then it slips. Which then causes the alternator belt to not turn at near the pace it is supposed to.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-07-2002, 01:41 PM
wasions's Avatar
wasions wasions is offline
SVX Black Belt Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Mount Carmel, Illinois
Posts: 1,353
Everything's tight.

I'm taking it in to have everything scoped out in the a. (Fuel sys, elec., plugs, bearings, CV's, etc.)

We're going to be doing a 4K trip next month on a tight schedule, and can't afford to have anything go wrong.

By the by. I got $45.23 from Sears this a.

Steve
__________________
Steve
'95 Polo Green SVX L AWD, 188K - "Kermit" (Gone, but not forgotten)
'02 Outback LLBean, 56K
'02 Black Sapphire Volvo V40, 133K - "Shadowfax"
'06 Triumph Tiger, 19K
'99 Suzuki DR350SE, 8.5K - "Geezer Killer"
<*}}}}>< ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ><{{{{*>
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-07-2002, 02:14 PM
mohrds's Avatar
mohrds mohrds is offline
Fight Eminent Domain Abuse!
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 3,175
Send a message via AIM to mohrds Send a message via Yahoo to mohrds
There was a class action suit against Sears recently regarding faulty batteries knowingly being sent to stores.

I heard on BBC radio news that Sears has decided to settle out of court to avoid a long and costly court battle, even though they are confidant they would win.

Hang on to that old battery! It may get you some cash.

Doug
__________________
1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap
Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip
1992 LS Touring (6/91)
Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler
1994 LSi (4/93)
Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction.

1969 Mustang GT Convertible
1970 Mustang Convertible
2000 Ford Excursion
Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua.

My Locker
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-07-2002, 10:24 PM
wasions's Avatar
wasions wasions is offline
SVX Black Belt Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Mount Carmel, Illinois
Posts: 1,353
$45.23 is probably better than I could recoup on any class action suit (unless I was a lawyer). They've already got the battery. I'm gonna take the money and run!

Steve
__________________
Steve
'95 Polo Green SVX L AWD, 188K - "Kermit" (Gone, but not forgotten)
'02 Outback LLBean, 56K
'02 Black Sapphire Volvo V40, 133K - "Shadowfax"
'06 Triumph Tiger, 19K
'99 Suzuki DR350SE, 8.5K - "Geezer Killer"
<*}}}}>< ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ><{{{{*>
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-08-2002, 06:28 AM
svx1999 svx1999 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC
Posts: 220
DIehard

I noticed not long ago my car always started a bit differenty but sometimes was a tad weak sounding. I charged the battery a couple of times soon after. There was enough juice to start the car, not according to the battery meter on the charger?, battery was nearly drained. took a lot longer to charge

Well another month later. the battery is DEAD. I went to pick up my car yesturday from the meachanic. he said all it need NOW was a battery. Geeze..

I have heard evetone talk about the Diehards and to use that as a suitable replacement. The meachanic checked everything out for a electrical drain and found nothing.
other then someone left the door light on. Not me!.

any ideas on what type of Battery is needed.? I feel the SVX must drain some batteries.

SVX1999
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-08-2002, 07:51 AM
mohrds's Avatar
mohrds mohrds is offline
Fight Eminent Domain Abuse!
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 3,175
Send a message via AIM to mohrds Send a message via Yahoo to mohrds
<<any ideas on what type of Battery is needed.? I feel the SVX must drain some batteries>>

I've been a loyal fan of the optima since its inception in the late 80's. I'm actually only on my 2nd purchased one. the first one died in its fifth year and was replaced for free (the original optimas had a 5 yr free replacement and 5th through 7th year proration.

I never told them that the battery actually sat for three years outside while I was away at college and wouldn't take a charge when I came back (go figure).

I just replaced it (the warranty replacement) with a new Optima a month or two ago.

I wouldn't buy any other battery. Its fun to go out to the car on a frigid day and walk past the people with their hoods up and get in may car and listen to the fast cranking.

Doug
__________________
1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap
Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip
1992 LS Touring (6/91)
Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler
1994 LSi (4/93)
Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction.

1969 Mustang GT Convertible
1970 Mustang Convertible
2000 Ford Excursion
Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua.

My Locker
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-08-2002, 08:10 AM
svx1999 svx1999 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC
Posts: 220
battery " diehard"

Thanks for the reply Morphds.
I need a battery and don't think I will buy a Die hard.
It did not last very long or as long as most of the battery warrantes. I will have to look into things further. The was a garaged kept. Die hards, Die sooner. thanks though.

I have a replacemnt now that I used to get the car home.

There is a noticeable difference in how the car starts bwtween the 2. the old, was slower and weak.

SVX1999
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-08-2002, 12:53 PM
wasions's Avatar
wasions wasions is offline
SVX Black Belt Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Mount Carmel, Illinois
Posts: 1,353
Update . . .

I picked up a 900 amp/8 year (three year free replacement) at AutoZone for $69.95. The 800 amp./7yr. (two year free replacement) DieHard was $76.xx just over three years ago. I'm thinking I got a better deal than at Sears (where you wait, and wait, and wait to get waited on - sheesh! ).

And now! That smell! I had a seized AC idler pulley. It only smelled icky when the defroster was on - we just didn't put that one together. 60 bucks plus belt plus installation. It'll be in tomorrow. While I was there - the elec./fuel system checked out savvy. Put on front pads. The plugs and wheel bearings (which have never been changed - pushing 120K miles) were okay. They didn't feel like I should mess with them. They didn't mention the CV joints and boots - which I suppose is a good thing.

Tires (at 42K) look to have about half their life left - love those Bridgestones - although the tread looks a little deeper on the front, and I'm gonna leave them that way.

I didn't get out of there before becoming $379.xx lighter, but that ain't so tough when you're not making monthly payments.

Another satisfied customer. Ready for our trip to Colorado (and beyond) next month!

Steve
__________________
Steve
'95 Polo Green SVX L AWD, 188K - "Kermit" (Gone, but not forgotten)
'02 Outback LLBean, 56K
'02 Black Sapphire Volvo V40, 133K - "Shadowfax"
'06 Triumph Tiger, 19K
'99 Suzuki DR350SE, 8.5K - "Geezer Killer"
<*}}}}>< ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ><{{{{*>
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-08-2002, 02:13 PM
svxter's Avatar
svxter svxter is offline
This account is scheduled to be deleted for inactivity
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 862
Send a message via Yahoo to svxter
Quote:
Originally posted by mohrds
<<any ideas on what type of Battery is needed.? I feel the SVX must drain some batteries>>

I've been a loyal fan of the optima since its inception in the late 80's. I'm actually only on my 2nd purchased one. the first one died in its fifth year and was replaced for free (the original optimas had a 5 yr free replacement and 5th through 7th year proration.

I never told them that the battery actually sat for three years outside while I was away at college and wouldn't take a charge when I came back (go figure).

I just replaced it (the warranty replacement) with a new Optima a month or two ago.

I wouldn't buy any other battery. Its fun to go out to the car on a frigid day and walk past the people with their hoods up and get in may car and listen to the fast cranking.

Doug
Advance Auto is selling an Optima under their house brand; probably a bit cheaper. I don't know if it has the same warranty or not. When it's battery time here, that's what I think I'll go with.
__________________
bill
Green 95 SVX - Cleo
Green 97 Outback - Maxine
Red F-150 Extended Cab Long Bed - Big Boy

Even the best monkey sometimes drops his banana.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-09-2002, 11:51 PM
Aredubjay's Avatar
Aredubjay Aredubjay is offline
Rat Fink Member ~:o)
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Owensboro, KY
Posts: 11,672
Send a message via ICQ to Aredubjay Send a message via AIM to Aredubjay Send a message via Yahoo to Aredubjay
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally posted by svxter


Advance Auto is selling an Optima under their house brand; probably a bit cheaper. I don't know if it has the same warranty or not. When it's battery time here, that's what I think I'll go with.
Yep, this was going to be my next battery, but, as fate would have it, I thought the optima clone was at Autozone. When the body shop called (they were willing to drive me to get it and then, put it in) they said they'd never heard of it. I wound up buying a run of the mill 3 year Interstate from the shop (I still think they're the ones that damaged it -- the negative post was broken. I think they did it prying while putting the shim in the fender I was having them fix after they'd repaired it from my fender bender). I walk into Advance a couple of weeks later and almost tripped over their display of Optima clones. Could've had one for just a few more bucks than I paid for the "regular" battery (Around 60 bucks). To add insult to injury, I found out that their Optima clone is made by none other than Interstate.
__________________
Randy Johnson
3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001
First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts
First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet
Subaru Ambassador

1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k
1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles
2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles
2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles

"Reading is my favorite Holiday"
Mike Davis -- at Reading VI
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-10-2002, 04:31 AM
mohrds's Avatar
mohrds mohrds is offline
Fight Eminent Domain Abuse!
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 3,175
Send a message via AIM to mohrds Send a message via Yahoo to mohrds
<<To add insult to injury, I found out that their Optima clone is made by none other than Interstate.>>

Have you ever considered writing a book "My bad luck with cars" by RWJ?

Doug
__________________
1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap
Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip
1992 LS Touring (6/91)
Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler
1994 LSi (4/93)
Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction.

1969 Mustang GT Convertible
1970 Mustang Convertible
2000 Ford Excursion
Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua.

My Locker
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-10-2002, 06:12 AM
SSSVX's Avatar
SSSVX SSSVX is offline
One teal and One yellow
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: WV
Posts: 2,687
Quote:
Originally posted by Aredubjay
.....I found out that their Optima clone is made by none other than Interstate.
'someone' in the store told me that all the batteries are actually from 'three main manufactures.' just that what you see in the market are with different stickers only.....
__________________
-SSSVX

92 LS-L TEAL since Aug '01
92 LS-L YELLOW since Mar '05
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122