My 04 Forester has again developed piston slap. Subaru installed a rebuilt short block at 80k km, but now at 130k km on this block the noise is back and getting progressively worse. My mechanic told me that the problem has been resolved in the newer blocks with proper milling temperatures, annealing and teflon coated piston skirts.
My question is, how can I find out what is the latest model block that will drop in to my '04? Does anyone have a link to a part cross reference? Parts dealers will sell you anything you ask for so I want to be sure that I ask for the right part.
New Foresters look too much like a Rav 4 for my tastes so I want to keep this one alive. I know that piston slap is not a huge issue and the thing will probably go another 200k km, but I'd like to be able to order a coffee through the window without shutting it off like diesel truck owners have to do!
Thanks for your help!