powerwagontim

Thanks, I tried the search and didnt find that. So, anyone tried to subvert the system and put the control back in the sitters hands? Thanks, Tim

My Wife recently traded her 05 Outback in an an almost new 2012 Outback. Personally I like the extra room and height of the new design. The heated seats will come on, and heat up nicely, then turn themselves off after ten or fifteen minutes. Sometimes they come back on, sometimes they do not. The LOW setting on the switch seems to work the same, maybe it stays on longer, not sure. Her 05 would stay on until you turned them off. The owners manual reads like they are supposed to come on and stay on. She took it into the dealer today and was given the "its supposed to work that way" line. If it is supposed to be that way, it SUCKS! Just when your butt get nice and toasty, all of a sudden its cold! (Keep in mind I live in the Frozen Northern Wastelands, AKA Vermont) So, if it is on some sort of timer, why couldnt that be bypassed so when you turn them on they actually come on, and when you decide you are warm enough you turn them off, rather than some engineer deciding my butt is warm enough and shutting it off for me. Thanks for your advice, Tim

Well, turns out I had not gotten the drivers side axle fully engaged into the transaxle. I am not impressed with these newer axles that have the snap ring instead of the older roll pin system. Never had a problem with the rill pins. So, I got the axle re-inseted into the transaxle and everything now works as it should! I was really not looking forward to pulling the transaxle! Thanks, Tim

Good day all, Last weekend I pulled the engine from my Wife's 05 Outback. It was leaking oil from the head gaskets and the valve covers. It was due for the timing belt so while I had it out I did the head gaskets, all the oil seals, timing belt components, water pump, plugs and wires, belts etc. etc. It all went well, and I got it back and it runs fine. Also did front brakes, front drivers side axle shaft and sway bar links. The steering rack leaks badly, and it is going into a local shop for that, since it needs to be aligned afterwards. They are also scheduled to do a tranny fluid flush at the same time. My Wife has driven thew car about 300 miles this week, and its been fine. Now this morning, she took our Daughter out to the end of our driveway to catch the bus. There is a slight incline at the end of the drive. She was parked up the incline, in park, waiting for the bus. I drove down the driveway on my way out, and since she was parked in the middle, she put it in reverse to move out of my way. (Bear with me, I am getting to it!) When she put it in reverse, she heard a clunk. The car backed up fine, bit she wanted to tell me about the clunk so she pulled back up the incline and put it back in park. The car started to roll right back, park has no holding power at all. She ended up working from home today, and after work I brought it into the shop and jacked up the front end. On the drivers side (the one with the new axle) the wheel turns a bit and stops, as I would have expected. The passenger side wheel spins freely. I can see the axle shaft turning with the wheel, going into the side of the tranny. I dont see this as a good thing! The tranny fluid is low, but at the "low" mark on the dipstick. Since it is going in for a flush, I didnt feel like dumping the expensive juice into it. So, any of you Suby Gurus have any sage wisdom for me? Thanks, Tim

Thanks guys, that all makes sense. The spring clamps are a good idea, toy cant have too many hands! Thanks again, Tim

Started putting the engine back together today from my Daughters 2000 Legacy, 2.5. Got the heads back on oil pump sealed, water pump replaced etc. etc. Got to the timing belt. Lined the timing mark on the passenger side cam gear straight up, the main gear, straight up, go to move the drivers side camshaft gear mark to straight up and it goes sproing, right past 12:00 to about 2:00. OK, turn it back and spriong, 10:00. was finally able to get it to hang at 12:00 to get the belt on, but had arrived at the end of my time for the day and realized that even though I had all 3 marks on the belt on the gear marks the directional arrow was wrong. second time is always easier! But my question is, why is the valve train so jumpy on the drivers side? The passenger side had was almost at 12:00 when I began so I didnt move it much, I assume it would have also jumped like the drivers side. And, if the diagrams all show the marks at 12:00, but the valve train wants to be at either 10:00 or 2:00 is it just a matter of finding the midpoint where it wants to spring one way or the other? Hope this makes some sense. Give me a flathead 6 any day! Thanks, Tim

Hi folks, Been reading on this Forum for a few months, lots of great info and knowledge. Here is my Subaru history, both kids drive 95 Legacys, Wife drives an 05 Outback. Living in Vermont I like them driving AWD. I do all of the routine maintainance and repairs, but my wrenching is enjoyed more when it is on my 57 Dodge Power Wagon! Just before Christmas, my Brother in law discovered he had a blown head gasket on his 00 Legacy Outback with 165,000 miles. Rather than get it fixed, he bought a brand new one and gave his old car to my Daughter to replace her aging 95 Legacy. Great deal for her, but I get to fix it! I fiigure to replace the timing belt, all of the idlers and tensioner, all seals, gaskets, hoses, water pump, etc. etc. I have pulled the engine and done the disassembly, started stockpiling the parts. I got a bunch of stuff from 1stsubaruparts.com. Somewhere on this Forum I read that it is best to stay with an OEM clutch. 1stsubaru listed all of the components except the pressure plate. I thought that a bit odd. So, my local dealer has it, for $185. I looked around the net and found a company who listed an aftermarket clutch and the different applications. The Legacy clutch 90 - 05, Imprezza 98 -07, Outback 00 - 04 and Forrester 98 -02, ALL had the same SKU number. 1stsubaruparts.com does list pressure plates for 99 - 02 Forrester and 00 - 02 Imprezza. Both are the same price of $86.36. Based on that info, would it be safe to order the Imprezza or Forrester pressure plate from 1stsubaru? Sorry if this has gotten a bit long winded. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks, Tim