ThosL

Which begs the question, if they are so easy to fix, why do the mechanics I have asked all want at least $1000 to do the job? I mean how many actual hours of labor are involved?

96 engine ej22; I checked with the local el cheapo mechanic and he would probably want nearly a grand for the job and I am not qualified--he said he would only want to do an engine replacement on the car @$600 because of inherent problems of problem engines.

This continues to be a dilemma for me. Vehicle only overheats at higher speeds/rpms, but not much above half way point. I just keep adding water. Small external leak below the radiator fill neck. Radiator is relatively new, so it is something of a mystery. With the head gasket job running $1000 or so, engine replacement if I decide to keep the car looks smarter. I was driving it on the highway longer distance a couple days ago, and the upper hose on the passenger side blew out; must have been the steam. What are the real risks here? Gaskets will melt, no? Will heads also warp?

I wasn't sure why the northern Vermont dealer mentioned it, but he said it could be hard to catch, but obviously much more of a problem in tough winter areas. He said he was no longer in the business of selling used Subarus; he used to sell them for around $2500 with 3-6 month warranties.

I was talking to a long term Subaru dealer from northern Vermont today who said the strut mounts on the 90-99 Subarus was a major defect, I guess corrected in 00. Is this a major problem, I hadn't heard this before.

Would definitely try the Advance online if there is a store local to you; 30% discount and speed perks discounts is a price eviscerator!

I had asked around here and got good feedback on a damaged spark plug hole; Advance auto parts had a spark plug rethread/helicoil kit, unfortunately the ratchet end was impossible to work with as you would have to put a socket on it too large to fit in the spark plug hole. I went to Napa this morning they actually had the same kit but with a more functional rethread tool that a ratchet and extender would fit into. I stopped at several mechanics riding on the three cyl.s and finally found one that had time to do the job, no guarantees of course. It runs well now. I was getting misfire codes due to caked on gunk on the body of the spark plugs. Just thought this might be useful to others here. Youtube:

A friend came by to help, but the self-tapping insert requires a narrower t style wrench to either chase the threads or do the helicoil insert preparation.

Since I only have the thread chaser and helicoil set apparently without the other tools necessary to use them I will look around for a mechanic.

I picked up the Helicoil set at Advance like Gary recommended, but I'm assuming that I would need a specific socket for that thread chaser, etc.. What are mistakes that could be made here; vs. level of expertise required; minimum tools to do the job in a parking lot?

OK, thanks. I walked up the few miles to retrieve my car this morning, didn't know whether driving on the 3 cyl.s was worth doing, better than tow truck. I passed a Hispanic mechanic working on a truck nearby and he said he would check it out in an hour. So maybe I make progress today.

They say you have to drill out before helicoil; no way to reach the spark plug cyl with a drill and limited access.

I had a used tranny put in over 100K miles ago; with a little slippage I tried Lucas treatment with success.

The garage said they could try the helicoil or other fix with the head in the car--it doesn't need to be removed for that does it? If they were pulling the head then replacing it would make sense but that is very involved and expensive. Is there anyway to weld or epoxy a plug into the head as a last measure? With over 300K miles I doubt it is going to need another plug replacement.

Thanks for the thorough advice; but I'm no good with that level of detail and careful step by step installation, etc.. Definitely the spark plug will not thread. The reason I wanted to get this done, but stupidly did it under adverse conditions, was the misfire diagnosis on driver's side, both cyl.s. I called an excellent shop in Norwalk, and will copy out recommendations for them to look at on Monday. They will try the helicoil option.

Yes, I went back out to where it was parked and tried to thread it--no dice on that--stripped. I called the local Subaru expert and they said helicoil is an option by an expert who knows how to drill it and do the job. No excuse--I was working on it outside in a park area with high wind velocity temps in the 20s and lost my concentration. Part of the problem is crappy spark plug socket from Walmart. Once you get it in it is hard to get it back up. Needlenose pliers? I don't have many tools and they are substandard. Is there a way to drive it on 3 cyls. without the terrible noise??

Engine ej22--96.

Ok, so there is no sleeve the spark plugs sit in? I looked on the internet for a diagram or picture, couldn't get what I was looking for. Thanks for the clarification.

I was trying to pull out my driver's side spark plugs to check them out. So I put in the spark plug socket wrench, turns and turns and it is one of the lower quality ones that are a pain to get out. I tried to pull it out with pliers, no luck. So then I started the car up and somehow the cylinder sleeve blew out, I could not find it anywhere but could see the hole. What is the process for replacing these?

OK, thanks for the warnings. There are probably very few decent vehicles with minor and fixable issues.

I've concluded that my '99 Subaru is not worth sinking engine work into, with blown head gaskets, over 300K miles, etc.. No way getting around the approximate $1000 replacing the engine, or doing the head gaskets with unknown other potential engine issues, now I'm getting water vapor coming out the exhaust. I looked through the Bargain News listings: http://www.bargainnews.com/userserv_adwatch_view.cfm?awe_id=10112328C1849&freq=weekly Anything here promising? How about this one? I'll check CL. 1999 SUBARU LEGACY white, 180,000 mi, Air, CD, 5 Spd Std, Alloy Wheels, Air Bags, 4 Cyl, AWD, Manuel transmission.Had it since 2012, 3rd owner, just had the timing belt, water pump & radiator done (I have the paperwork). Starter done 2014, ignition replaced 2013. Did oil changes faithfully. All highway mileage, it was an awesome car. No lights on dash, check engine light does come on & off sometimes. On 01/16/16, car kept shutting off. Every time I got it to start & drove it, it just keeps shutting off. It also makes a weird noise. I just put in $1,200 this past summer. I don't want to put anymore money into it. We aren't sure what's wrong with it. Tow is recommended. It does have new speakers that are about 4 years old, a TV, HIDs and tinted windows. Clean body, no rust or dents. A/C and heat work GREAT. SERIOUS inquires only. Any reasonable offer will be considered. NEED it gone ASAP

There are many ways to fight back legally. Hope you get some justice.

It sounds outrageous, maybe they are looking to pick up slack in their budget as their overhead must be large. How busy did they seem? Always get second or third opinions, check with the local Napa or other auto parts place to see who they recommend, they may recommend several places. Plus I would get it in writing, take some pictures and post on this or other Subaru blog sites to get feedback. Check their online feedback and reviews; you could also check with the state AG to see if they have complaints in their records. Do your DD.

I contacted corporate and they overrode the denial by the guys at the local Advance store. These spark plug wires don't last, next time I will probably order the OE NGK wires online.

I was looking around for a set of spark plug wires, didn't know whether to go the NGK route ordered online for about $40 or back to Advance Auto where I have gotten sets before. Then I thought the ones I got at Advance said guaranteed on the slip which I had kept. The guy wanted to see the set I bought, so I pulled those out as well as any spares I had in the car. He said they don't sell those though I had the receipt and remember they were the same ones. Should I go to corporate on this with all the records, and they will speak with "Ross" at the store? How much proof do they need?