Rooster2

Model EJ22 tells you it is definitely a 2.2 engine, not a 2.0 motor. Others here on this forum will probably be able to tell you if it is a gen 1 or a gen 2 motor. All 2.2 motors have a reputation of being super reliable, and hard to break. Just keep the engine full of clean oil, and don't let the aluminum alloy motor over heat, and it will run forever.

Just purchased a Asian kit through Amazon. All components are Japanese manufactured, which was want I wanted, not Chinese stuff. My; only problem is that the water pump would not fit my engine, so had to re-use old water pump. Have heard that Gates kits contain Chinese product, not what I would want on my car.

Your 2004 may have something as simple as a valve cover leak, which is very common It is a simple fix having valve cover gaskets replaced. Take your car to a car repair shop, not your dealer, who can put your car up on a lift, and look around for the leak. It is not difficult for anyone to spot a leak at minimal cost. Have a mechanic show you what he thinks is leaking. It is important to understand how much oil you are leaking. Parked in a garage, or somewhere on drive pavement, you should be able to see a "spot" where oil has leaked out if parked in the same place over night. A tiny oil spot means there is little to be concerned about. Your checking the oil level, and getting an indication that the oil level remains high is assurance that your oil leak is minimal. Still get the oil leak source verified, so you know what is going on.

98 OBW owner's manual says " The alarm will stop only by unlocking a door, rear gate or trunk lid with a key. The alarm may not stop if the key is turned too quickly. In such a case, turn the key again more slowly. The alarm will not stop if the ignition switch is turned on to "ACC", or "ON." Don't know if this applies to your '04, but worth a try. Also, I recently had an alarm problem. I replaced the car battery on my 98 OBW. I did not have the key Fob, so installing a new battery set off the alarm. Got advise to "have key ignition turned to the "RUN" position, when connecting battery cables to battery." That advise worked great, the alarm no longer sounded.

Have you replaced the fuel filter. Sounds like that's the problem.

A good place to do this is to shine the head lights onto a closed garage door, when it is close to getting dark. That way it is easy to see what adjustments you are making.

Water pump, or possibly radiator somewhat plugged up. Ever use stop leak additives, or fail to change antifreeze for long periods of time?

I own a 98 OBW Limited with the power antenna. Recently the mast post was bent somehow. The antenna still tries to go up & down when the radio is turned on & off. I plan to simply replace the mast with a solid bolt on unit. I still need to disconnect power to the antenna. I will check my wiring, and tell you what I see this weekend. Let me know if you need this help. Rooster2

Golucky has a good approach. I did this a couple of years ago, moving my daughter from an apartment in Charlotte, NC to Indy. Rented a 26' moving box truck from Budget rent a truck. Rented a trailer to drive her car up on it to have all four wheels off the ground. The "moving" truck had a metal pull out ramp built into the truck's under carriage. Pull that out, and easy to walk up the ramp carrying things to load the truck. Moving pads can be rented to keep items from rubbing against each other. The moving truck worked out great. It was easy to drop off the truck at a Budget store in Indy. Box truck carried a ton of stuff, and was designed for the moving job. Budget had lower rental prices then U-Haul. Don't remember cost, but it wasn't bad. Call for a quote to find out.

98 Outback came with 15 inch rims, not 16 inch rims, I hope you know that.

Thanks for the info

Thanks for info, have heard that a lock smith or Ace hardware will cut keys and program transponders. Not sure about Ace doing programming, but I will check with them. There is programming info in drivers manual. Maybe I can program two transponders myself, but not sure.

Thanks Matt167. I looked up item on eBay, cost about $24 each. Dealer, I am guessing would need to cut the keys, and program the transponders. Any idea what that would cost??

Just got this car with only 1 key that is chipped with four push buttons. I need 2 more keys. Really just interested that they unlock the doors, and start the motor, I can do without the 4 buttons to lock/unlock doors etc. From my limited internet reading, I guess I just need workable transponders in the two new keys to activate the ignition. I really don't want to go to a dealership, as I bet that would be expensive. Any suggestions??

Thanks to all, really appreciate it.

No, don't work for Trans-X. Only my personal experience of using the product, has kept my 99 OBW on the road for the past 10 years. Obviously, no product is a miracle product. Trannys can have problems for many reasons. Trans-X can't fix them all.

Thanks for all the great advise, especially to know that don't need new seals like my 99 OBW needed. Factory Viton.......great!

I am the guy who wrote the original topic. I am still driving my 99 OBW 8 years later. Trans-X continues to work well. You will likely need to re-apply Trans-X on a yearly basis. Remember to drain and fill three time, adding Trans-X on the last fill. Cheers !! Sounds like you found a nice car................enjoy!

Checked Amazon, saw 2 Asian kits available, but both said not for an 08 model. Saw a bunch of Gates kits listed, but read some time ago, that they went cheap with a bunch of Chinese made parts in their kits. Thanks, but no thanks on any Chinese parts for something as critical as timing belt components.

Bought the car from a dealer. It was a garage owned by the dealer that did the motor swap. Seemed to do a clean install, with all the small details buttoned down real nice. Last line item on the carfax lists the motor swap. Motor is N/A four cylinder, so that means it has an EJ25? Dealer sales guy said he would get back to me about swap details, but haven't heard back from him so far. I just picked up the car today, so I will give him a day or two to get back to me. I can't find any critical info on timing belt and pulleys work being done, so that is already something I plan to get done shortly. Nothing in the glove box, including an absence of an owners manual.

Just bought an 08 OBW, in excellent condition. What is unique, is that the motor has been replaced. The motor runs great. I asked the dealer what year motor has been installed, but have not gotten an answer. Is there any way to tell by looking at it, or finding numbers stamped on the intake or block. It is has the four cylinder with plenty of power, so pretty sure it has the 2.5, but could be a 2.2.

Gotta think it is because you loose your religion, and start cussing a lot??

Just bought an 08 OBW with 99K miles. Which timing belt kit should I buy, that would include water pump, seals, tensoners, etc. Don't want any Chinese produced junk in the kit.

If not alternator, then it is the battery. I had a car years ago with same problems as yours, dash lights and gauges were going crazy nuts. Turned out to be a bad cell in the battery. Car would still start, but run like crap, because of low voltage to the car computer. Replaced the battery, an that cleared up the problem.

As Mikeec03 stated, the crush washer used on the oil pan drain bolt can be re-used multiple times. I have always changed my oil, so am confident on this subject. Crush washers can be purchased at the dealership parts department for little money, if and when needed. I, too am not confident that the oil change guys at Walmart can be trusted. They don't hire the smartest people at Walmart, so be aware they can make mistakes. The oil changes shops do a decent oil change, but always try to sell you things you don't want or need, like new wiper blades, or air cleaner filter. I usually tell them I am going to be trading in the car, and don't want to put any money into it. That gets them off my back. Well, saying this is true, but in reality, I won't be trading in the car for another 5 or 6 years, so it is not telling a lie. .