bigbearrick

So, I was going to change the plugs and wires on this car anyway and when I was installing the new plugs Saturday discovered that one plug wire was totally loose at the plug! Runs fine now, apparently no fuel pump issue. Whew!

Also, if you did not check your heads and block to make sure they were perfectly flat, probably have a new head gasket issue. Have you tried the "coolant conditioner" that Subaru sells? It's really a head gasket sealer as they know they have a head gasket sealing issue. It comes in a little blue bottle and doesn't cost much. I used it in my 2005 Impreza after the dealer replaced the head gaskets--at their recommendation. Still put a bottle in the '05 Outback now and then, which has not had any problems, go figure.

Checked a parts website and the NGK's Pep Boys sold me were the correct platinum plug so I put them in. The old plugs were not too bad, but they had about 50K miles on them, so time to change. Also discovered a lose plug wire that explained my wife's description of rough running at a stop. Runs fine now. I had to order plug wires but may just save them for my Legacy, which is about to turn over 50K. It's an '09!

Bought plugs at Pep Boys yesterday--guy sold me NGK BKR5EGP. Pulled the first plug out, it's a NGK R FR5 AP11 Are the new plugs incorrect? They are platinum. Is that the difference. Wanted your opinions before I slap them in there as if they are not correct they are going back to PB. Thanks!

Thanks for the info. Looks pretty simple to replace.

My 2005 Outback 2.5i runs rough at stops, smell of gas in the car. Mechanic says it's the fuel pump. 105,000 miles. Seems odd to have a fuel pump go bad at that mileage. Anyone else run into this? How does one access the fuel pump on this vehicle? Looked under the car and didn't even see a fuel line! Thanks, Rick

I checked with motor running and hot and shifted from park to drive, to reverse, back to drive and then park. Not that much fluid came out of the pan--not more than when I change the oil, which is about 4 quarts. I was kind of surprised at how little actually came out, I expected a bit more.

I checked the level when warm and it was full. But I will check again. Don't want to be low on tranny fluid!

San Bernardino Subaru's service department is not all that helpful, frankly. Half the time I go in there for a part, they order the wrong one. And they are always suggesting stuff that I am not sure needs to be done. Is the temperature sensor external? Would it be something easy to replace? If so, I can do it myself. Heck, if the thing needs a new tranny, I'll get a used one and put it in myself, it can't be that tough. I've changed a few trannys in my time. Thanks!

It has a remote trans filter in the left wheel well area--behind the battery. I checked and it is a factory filter. Since it was just changed about 5K miles ago, I did not change it the other day.

Only when it's cold, I think. The problem started last November when it started getting down to freezing up here in the mountains overnight. Tranny slipped a bit a few times. So, we took it to a local mechanic who works on a lot of Subis up here and had him change the tranny fluid and filter. When I picked the car up, it would not shift out of first. That has been happening since then unless the car is allowed to warm up really well first thing in the morning. Then, it slips a bit the first few shifts and then it functions just fine in all gears. The local guy could not figure it out. The dealer wants $4K for a new transmission install but didn't say what the problem is. I find it odd that it has worked for about 5000 miles over the past winter if it needs replacement. Local guy says its probably seals and recommends used tranny install. I got on this board and X Transmission anti-slip product was recommended. So, I drained the pan and put in a quart of X Transmission and 2 1/2 quarts of factory Subi trans fluid. Still stuck in first the first morning my wife tried to drive it without an extended warm up. Later was fine after a long warm up. So, I am wondering how long the X Transmission stuff takes to work on the seals.

Yesterday I drained the auto trans fluid from the pan and installed a quart of the Trans X non slip product and three and a half quarts of Subi trans fluid. Did not install a new filter as that was changed 5000 miles ago and it is a factory filter. Drove around the block afterwards. Today my wife got into the car, short warm up (probaby 35 outside), and the trans still acted up: Slow shifting and would not shift out of first in "D" or even manual.:-\ Does anyone have experience with how long it takes the Trans X product to work its magic on the seals? Thanks!

Thanks! I will look harder!

Duh! I meant the transmission filter! So, I bought the X Transmission product and new filter and tranny fluid from the dealer. Jacked up the car and crawled under. COULD NOT see any filter for the trans. '05 OBW. 4 Speed auto with "manual" shift option. Where the heck is the filter???? Is there some kind of cover over it? I mean, heck, it's a spin on; it ought to be visible, right??? Thanks!

Thanks for all the GREAT input guys! I bought a filter and fluid from the freaking Subi dealer in San Bernardino and I will change it this afternoon and see what happens. If that doesn't work, I will try the additive. Because, I, too, see no reason that this tranny should fail. They are supposedly built for light off roading and should be somewhat heavy duty. It is cold where I live. But not THAT cold, maybe the teens some mornings. Subies are built for that, too.