Olnick

You're doggone right--any sensor should last longer than 5 months! (If it is, in fact, the TPS that's failed again.) If I were you I'd go back to that dealer and have a nice chat with him. Ask him to explain their failure to solve the problems--then come back here and let us know what he said. Myself, I'd probably start looking for a good independent mechanic. Anyway, good luck and let us know what you find out.

Leinad, sorry, after I posted I noticed the year of your car was in the title line. As to your steering problem, it could be the power steering pump. Mine went out awhile back and it made a terrible racket when turned to the extremes. How many miles on your Outback? The TPS may or may not be the culprit in your rough running. Best way to check is to pull the OBDII codes again (like the POxxx you had earlier--but I can't find a "PO112" in my list!) Not to try to cast doubt, but do you trust whomever did the TPS and belt replacement?

Welcome aboard! What are you driiving?

Not at all. Think of all the knowledge you've gained. And as a bonus, we all got to meet a cute little tool thief.

Lukas, I don't think it's ignorance. More like being spoiled.

Welcome aboard, mnwolftrack. Congratulations on your purchase and on coming to USMB to "do your homework" before buying. I am so impressed with people who are smart enough to use this board the way we all want it to be used--as the best doggone Subaru resource available! Hope to hear more from you.

Perhaps Dirty Harry said it best: "Are ya' feelin' lucky, Punk?" (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Congratulations, junkus! I'd like to have seen your face the first time you cranked it up--must be a great feeling of pride . . . and relief! By all means keep us up on the "break-in" period.

Thanks 99OBW--nice articles, well written. The author's style helps me understand the "why's" better. (But I think the 2nd installment may be missing. The link calls up the 1st article again!)

Common problem. Lotsa' heat there and the plastic socket gets fried and disintegrates. Relatively easy fix to solder in a new generic socket. Search turns up a lot of discussion. This link might help: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41301&highlight=headlight+socket

1) Use the search function. It's been discussed here many times. 2) Read the directions on the Seafoam can.

Excellent practice! Also be sure to tighten in an opposite/opposite sequence so the pressure is applied as evenly as possible while the wheel is being pulled in.

That may well be true, vic/se. But my red flags go up when someone makes a blanket statement that is flat out wrong. Higher octane gas is most certainly NOT "always better!"

Just remember, FWIW, that starting with the '97 MY the wonderful 2.2 became an interference design.

Why do you say that?

Get your feet wet . . . racing on frozen lakes? Hmmmm!

Amen to that. The knowledge here is fantastic. The willingness--and desire--to share and help others is phenomenal. It's the way life should be. Thanks all.

Okay, Mike . . . spill it!!!

Hey, they're great pictures nipper! So when does the grand journey begin?

Ah, but xoomer--you've already proven your intelligence. Tou drive a Subie and you frequent this board! (And I'm not being flip. I mean that sincerely.)

First off, don't panic. Subaru fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Best to keep handwritten records. Reset your tripmeter at each fillup and note milage and gallons added--then divide miles by gallons to get your mpg. And, as noted earlier, do this for at least 3 fillups before drawing any conclusions. By the way, your tire guy is sharp. AWD cars should have all 4 tires matching. Let us know how it goes.

Words to live by. Thanks, johnc.

Sounds like a classic case of burned/pitted contacts in the starter. They're cheap to purchase and relatively easy to replace, but you do have to remove the starter to get to them. Whatever you do, don't let anyone sell you a new or rebuilt starter yet. Try a search--contact replacement has been discussed quite a bit. Then if you have questions fire away!

I use Simple Green and warm water, then push a strip of old rag down in the tank, Get a piece of coathanger wire or an old choptick (handiest tool ever here in Hawaii!) and you can push the rag around to wipe those hard-to-reach corners clean.