pcwerk

Yes, I'm still a little wary of the car. It had a Reman Tranny put in by the dealership around 50,000 miles ago (it currently has 108,000) and a host of various oil leaks fixed, and a recent brake job but I see no evidence of HG repair. When I asked the fellow on the phone he said it had no problems with the HG. [Now that I think about it, the coolant was a little low and I had to top it off! However, I looked under the car and it had been sitting overnight, but I saw no sign of a leak?] The main thing was I discovered it was a quart low of oil!! I called the guy and he said maybe he "forgot" and only put three quarts in at the last oil change (he did most of the work himself). He again assured me all was ok with the car. Thankfully, the MIL hadn't driven a lot and I'm hopeful all is well. Anyway, I told her she should have it checked by a shop and she didn't want to take the time or spend the money ;-( Not my problem... pc

Yes, its my mother-in-law ;-) pc

thanks guys. i'll check into all that, but the MIL loves to throw money around and she already says she wants it ;-) jimmy

Thanks for the info! Maybe I'll go give it a test drive this weekend ;-) jimmy

Hi all, Sorry to bring this back up but after searching over the forum I'm still not sure if the 30th Anniversary Legacy Outback sport sedan came with a 2.2 or 2.5 engine? My MIL is about to buy one from craigslist that states its a 2.5 DOHC. It is MINT condition and only has 108,000 miles. I'm a little concerned because its an automatic, and i read that they have slipping problems. Plus he wants $6,200! It is a pretty car though... jimmy

Well the good news is that country mechanic figured it out! Turns out it was one of the wires!! I can't believe this mechanic here in town couldn't figure that out...I guess the Knock Sensor CIL through him off? Anywho, I will replace the sensor when I get around to it. At least my engine isn't totally shot ;-) I will continue to clean it out with frequent oil changes and Seafoam/Kerosene treatment. Thanks for the help guys! jimmy

Just from my experience last weekend...I would ask if he is a good enough mechanic to recognize if the calipers are bad. After a gruelling 10+ hour job where I had to struggle with rusted bolts (no impact wrench) and take a sledge to get the rotors off, then I had my front end smoking on the way home! Turned out my calipers were stuck and so I had to take it into a mechanic afterall ;-( Not a good weekend... jimmy

Thanks for the info Nathan! As an update...I changed the oil (Castrol 5w-30, Subie filter) and didn't seem to help. Also, changed the front rotors and pads (had a devil of a time getting the old rusted-out ones off ;-) On our way home from the farm my wife kept smelling smoke, and it turns out the calipers were stuck and front brakes were smoking like a chimney! Drove over to this little country mechanic named Otterness in Spring Grove, whom had done some work for me in the past on an old truck I had. Well he knows a fella who owns a Subie that he had to change the knock sensor on a few weeks back and it seemed to do the trick. Asked him to check on that as well while he had my car. Today I just got the news that he fixed my stuck calipers for only $75. and he says my car is "missing". Thinks he can fix it! Maybe a wire or plug bad? I am VERY hopeful! Makes me think of what my momma would say--my smoking brakes my turn out to be a blessing in disguise ;-) Keep your fingers crossed! jimmy

Thanks for the info...I'm starting to hate this car ;-) jimmy

I sure hope your code isn't a Knock Sensor code! Check out my thread on "Diff between Piston Slap and Lifter Chatter". Good luck. jimmy

Yes, this was a good article. It had me listening a little closer, and it also sounds like a metallic grinding noise in the background (low volume) kinda makes me envision metal shavings grinding away ;-( I also looked up the history of the vehicle, and if her records are complete, it hasn't had a timing belt changed in 96,000 miles! I also found a mechanic's note stating that he "found the engine has an internal lifter noise" and that the engine would have to be pulled in order to be repaired. All in all, not very good news... Jimmy

Yes sir...it has plenty of oil. It leaks around valve cover gasket, oil sending unit, etc. but not enough to drip on the ground. It probably uses a quarter of a quart every month or so. Since there is no oil pressure gauge on the car, I was just wondering if the leaks could cause the oil pressure to be low which may make the lifters chatter? Nipper, I wish I could get all of that stuff done! Unfortunately, my DW is currently unemployed so I'm doing things on a shoestring budget ;-) Thanks again ya'll! Jimmy

Already disconnected it and drove around a few days and it didn't seem to make any difference...still hesitated and chugged as before. The other thing is I have several oil leaks (valve covers, for one). I was wondering if lack of pressure in the system due to the leaks could possibly cause the oil to not get up to where its needed? Maybe that could be causing the lifters to make such a racket? Anyway, thanks for the help. Must go to work now ;-( Jimmy

Hi Nipper! It never goes away and it does change with increase/decrease RPM. I will happily change my sensor out, but my mechanic (whom isn't a Subie expert--I'm still looking ;-) claimed it would just pick-up the noise again and start the whole chugging/missing process again? Would rod knock vary with RPM? Thanks for the info! Jimmy

Hi, It is manual with 196,000 miles on it. Got it from a lady who had bought a new Forester, and didn't need it. Service record is spotty but it does seem like she "periodically" changed the oil ;-) I'm upset at myself for not giving more detailed look at time of purchase! The check engine light was on but it didn't chug and all on the test drive? Started that about a month or so after purchase (got it in Feb. of this year). Thanks! Jimmy