bstone

Check the gas cap? Do a smoke test on the engine.

I brought the car to my buddy's shop this afternoon. We put the car on the lift and pulled the front O2 sensor. We checked the wiring and it all looked good. We checked the harness and it looked fine. I plugged back in the sensor and cleared the code. I am hoping it was just a loose connection. If not I'll swap it.

I was afraid you were going to say that. It's a long wire with a lot of twists and turns. I'll replace the sensor and hope that resolves the issues. If not I'll hunt the wire.

You mean with the wiring connected to the sensor or the wiring where the sensor wiring plugs into?

The O2 sensor is OE but I got it last summer and it lived in my backpack for about 6 months before I installed it. It is possible I futzed it up.

Before anything I decided to scan the code again. It is no longer reading as P0136 but is now reading as P0130 "DTC P0130: FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION". Do you think I should still check the resistances?

Copy that. I'll try to get to it this afternoon.

I go to Chicken and Shakes. They will do anything and everything for an amazing price. They will weld patches into your exhaust for around $60. Their info: http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicken-and-shakes-automotive-somerville

You assume correctly. How would I test it?

I'll do that tomorrow. It's odd, tho, in that this is a new OE O2 sensor. I put this one in when I got the original code.

Excellent point. V=IR, I have to remind myself. If R is high, then V is low assuming I (amp) is constant. So, any ideas how to check for a bad connection?

Code has come back for Bank 1, Sensor 1. I was driving from Montreal to Boston and it came back outside of Burlington, VT. Stopped in Burlington and cleared the code, but it came back almost exactly 50 highway miles later. I was able to drive from Boston to Montreal with no codes, then the car sat for 3 days while I visited with friends. I am thinking it might be the converter, so tomorrow I am going to my friend's garage to replace it. I have another converter in my trunk (direct fit) and will see if that might help. Will also check the O2 sensor connections and make sure it's fitting tight and well. Any other ideas?

1) Make sure they used a Subaru t-stat. No substitutes! Don't accept *any* explanation for anything but a Subaru t-stat. 2) Get a bottle of the Subaru Coolant Conditioner from your local dealer's part counter. It's super cheap and will likely fix the seeping head gasket.

Is GD really your step-dad?

Yeah, Milwaukee is the place to be it seems.

D'Agostino won't buy the motor from you, but they will help you load it into your car so you can sell it yourself. I work there in the summers (as a mechanic). Marciel can do an engine swap in one day if you start at 8am. If you want to reseal, water pump, timing belt, idle tensioner and pulleys it might be a 2 day job. There are a few lousy motels in the area you can stay at if housing is needed.

Time to check fuses and relays.

The garage I worked at in Chicago can totally do it for you. Labor is around $500ish. Ask for Marciel. He's the engine swapper. http://dagostinoautoservice.com/

Did you replace the plug and wire with Subaru OE parts? If not, go do that.

I am unsure but I am subscribing.

I had this code and went crazy with it for weeks. I replaced the TPS, IACV, checked over and over vacuum leaks, replaced the neutral safety switch. In the end I brought it to the local independent subaru specialist who replaced the throttle body and adjusted the TPS which took care of it.

How did you accomplish this?

Eh? Explain?

Bravo to GD!