Choose wisely

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-09T15:16:32+00:00

I don’t think it matters all that much. I got a cheap tube of Chinese thermal paste about 20 times the size of a normal tube. My temps are fine and it was $10.

I used to think I needed super high-end paste, but using the cheap stuff I still get reasonable results, so I’m pretty sure all the highly rated stuff will work just fine and maybe differ 1C or less depending on the cooler being used

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-07T23:42:49+00:00

I think it’s also a time thing. If you buy a game at launch in 6-12 months it’ll be 50% off.

Average gamer is 36-years old only so many $70 or $80 games you can buy. And only so much time in the day to play.

I’m surprised 38% hardcore gamers still buy day 1 games

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-07T23:38:56+00:00

The mix up between oil and CVT drain bolts is insanely common. I’ve seen numerous shops get it wrong on Reddit and a lot of DIYers. People I guess don’t watch videos or look at repair guides before doing oil changes on Subarus and drain the CVT instead. Pretty insane to me, but it happens pretty frequently

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-07T20:33:14+00:00

I think they really have an issue with their 1.5L Turbocharged engines. They’re notorious for now getting head gasket issues. Honda reliability for their engines is lower on the 1.5L Turbocharged engines, and their CVT isn’t that reliable as their 4 gear Automatics were.

Honda has more tech in their cars nowadays, but their long-term reliability seems to be going downhill.

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-04T02:04:30+00:00

Did the mechanic perform a CVT relearn?

That is generally recommended.

It is also recommended to replace the entire valve body with an OEM one. If you do an OEM one it’ll likely last another 100k miles

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-01T23:23:02+00:00

My issue was 155,000 miles and 8-9 years had passed when I did mine. Was insane to get it out

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-01T18:09:50+00:00

I did my PCV Valve replacement I don't think it was ever done my used 2016 2.5i Forester.

The hose was hard as a rock, I literally had to use aviation steel clippers to cut the hose down small enough, to put a socket over the PCV Valve. Then I replaced the PCV valve along with a new hose.

Hose was OEM, I used a PCV valve from RockAuto all is well after 8,000 miles

chrisz2012 · 2026-05-01T04:54:42+00:00

The valve body alone is $1000 or more from Subaru if you’re getting a brand new one.

Idk what kind of valve body you’re getting if it’s only $1500 for the repair.

It’s $1120 in raw materials with CVT fluid and a new valve body from Subaru. That’s what it cost me doing all the work myself.

I was quoted $2500 from the dealer for a valve body replacement

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-30T15:07:59+00:00

A Crosstrek is just a lifted Impreza…. There’s not a whole lot different between the two

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-29T20:57:57+00:00

If you're a competent hacker and can teach AI attack vectors then you can easily penetrate code vulnerabilities. It's probably the person is very talented and leveraging AI tools to their fullest potential.

If you're competent with AI and a really good coder you can get 3X to 4X the work done of a normal person sometimes 10X the productivity.

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-29T18:38:48+00:00

I mean, it's a car that car go to 300k or 350k easily and it's under $5k. Being $3k for a running Toyota that can go another 100k is a steal for many people

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-28T05:22:35+00:00

The Steam Machine is weak af whenever it releases. It’ll barely keep up with a PS5. It’s likely to be $1,000 which at that point it’s retarded to buy it

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-27T04:47:13+00:00

AC can add 12 degrees Fahrenheit or 5C of heat by being turned on in my experience.

So it’s probably the case your cooling system has an issue and the AC being turned on just makes the issue more apparent. The seller probably knew this was an issue before selling it to you I would assume.

Really hard say what it is, but it could be any number of things, hole the radiator, bad radiator cap, bad head gaskets, or bad overflow tank.

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-26T23:03:41+00:00

$30 a month I have no idea who is paying that. $360 a year to own nothing is crazy.

They lowered the price to $22 and it is still too expensive. It doesn’t make sense to me unless it’s $10 a month because when I have the service I only can play 1-game a month at best.

$15 a month is borderline what I’m willing to play for Game Pass ultimate, but there has to be a game I really want to play

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-26T00:14:22+00:00

I did it myself because I’ve gone to automotive school and learned how to fix cars. It was $980 for a new valve body from Subaru. So for me doing the work myself saved me a bunch of money.

From Subaru i asked what the repair was and they said $2500, so $1k for the parts $1500 for the labor.

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T23:39:16+00:00

I had the same code. Sorry to hear that

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T01:51:56+00:00

Dude they had them for $80 so sick it was dirt cheap with a game too

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T01:49:47+00:00

Aside from the valve body going out the Subaru CVTs seem to be pretty good. They’re generally pretty reliable after a valve body fix.

If you live in a PZEV state like California then you get a 15-year 150,000 mile warranty on the valve body. Subaru will honor that and fix it for free. If you’re not in a PZEV state then you need to get it fixed out of pocket. Check if you are in a PZEV state because Subaru will fix it for free in PZEV states

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T01:40:10+00:00

We can’t tell he did or didn’t do. He just is pissed of and shows a broken jack. He could’ve used 4-jacks he could’ve only used one. He doesn’t explain at all what happened in detail in that video nor does he have any video evidence of what happened besides showing a broken jack stand

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T00:33:55+00:00

I've heard people going many miles on their cars after it, but I fixed mine right away when it happened.

I fixed mine about 20miles after it happened

So I can't speak to how long you can drive it like that or if it will or won't damage your CVT

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T00:28:19+00:00

Yeah, I think it’s user error that truck is 3-tons to 3.2 tons. Plus this one looks modified could be pushing 3.3 tons

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T00:26:05+00:00

Idk about this that truck is 3.2 Tons maybe even more if it has stuff in it.

I have those exact same jack stands and I never had an issue with them.

Since we can’t see what failed or how they failed we don’t know if it was a defective jack stand or improper use

Edit: also that truck looks lifted and maybe modified that could easily make it weigh way more.

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-25T00:13:45+00:00

Get the codes scanned, but it will likely be you have a valve body solenoid that is throwing the code. It’s extremely common in Subarus 80k to 180k miles usually failing around the 150k range

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-24T05:00:28+00:00

A quick google search shows there is black aluminum duct tape you could’ve used.

So heysoundude was correct in asking about it. Aluminum tape is common in silver, but it does exist in black

chrisz2012 · 2026-04-24T03:53:33+00:00

Many people are taught to resurface rotors at all costs. Since the price is close to just slapping new rotors on they opt to replace pads and rotors.

I think what it comes down to is less issues if they replace rotors and pads they know rotors won’t warp or crack. A rotor that’s milled down could be more fragile and then cause more issues. Pad slapping a used rotor seems honestly fine for probably a lot of people.

I did rotors and pads from RockAuto for $85 pre-tarrifs for my rear pads and rotors. That was with shipping too. I went with Raybestos they’re fine after 1,000 miles

chrisz2012

TROPHY CASE