Body - Water 'Sloshing' Sound When Driving
NUMBER: 12-70-01DATE: 04/01/01
APPLICABILITY:
2001 MY-2002 MY Forester
SUBJECT:
Clogged Right-hand Rear-body Drain Plug
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that some 2001 MY-2002 MY Forester vehicles have an issue where the right-hand rear-body drain plug may be clogged by excessive body undercoating. This could result in water being trapped in this area and a customer complaint of a water "sloshing" sound during vehicle operation.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Potentially involved vehicles will have a January or February production date and fall within the VIN numbers shown.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
The repair is to clear the existing plug or replace it. We have found that most plugs can be cleared and cleaned successfully without replacement. The plug is accessed from underneath the vehicle at the bottom of the right-hand rear quarter panel by the fuel vapor canister.
The repair procedure is shown. Clogged drain plugs should be opened up and the surrounding undercoat material removed to ensure it will not close up again during the heat of the summer months. The same procedure can be followed to replace the plug. The part number of a replacement plug is-----.
Step 1) The forked end of the tool is inserted into the bottom slot of the plug. The tool is twisted slightly right and left to break the seal of undercoating. The bottom of the clip is then pried open approximately 1/4".
Note:
As the clip is twisted and pried open, trapped water may be released from quarter panel cavity if any is present.
Step 2) After the plug slot has been opened wider and the seal is broken, the sharp fork ends of the tool are used to remove excess undercoating from the panel and the plug slot area.
Step 3) Once the excess undercoating is removed, replace the plug by pushing it back into the panel with the end of the tool.
DISCLAIMER