brus brother

After some reading it appears the 05s are subject to an "oil only" external head gasket leak problem. As I said, the "wet" area is beneath the driver side rear cylinder and on the cross-member below. Does a coolant leak leave a residue after the car is sitting overnight or would it dry without a trace unlike oil leaks?

82K miles. 05 Legacy. Just noticed dampness at lower rear driver side HG area and on cross-member below. Coolant was changed with additive at 70K miles. Coolant isn't down drastically in overflow. Is it worth a shot to add another bottle of Subaru's coolant stop leak or just bite the bullet?

Bank 1 is passenger side.

I've had the 0420 for the past year or so. Started at just about the same mileage. It generally means the passenger side cat converter is heading south. Saving numerous trips to local Autozone to have the code cleared each time, I bought a cheap $20 code reader/clearer from ebay and played around with the spark plug cheater trick (search 0420 code on this site). Unfortunately, our 2005s don't seem to like the cheaters and didn't 'fix" the problem. The code doesn't affect drive-ability. I too replaced the front O2 sensor but that didn't help. The code comes and goes so the "threshold" may be a little to tight in the computer's spec. The blinking cruise control goes along with the code which apparently becomes inactive with the CEL. Passing state state emission tests is tricky but after I clear the code and the car runs a particular set of cycles/speed runs and all systems are reading as "ready", I have been able to pass before it threw the code again. I have read that there are some performance companies that will reformat the computer to eliminate this parameter but I haven't bothered with it (cost/benefit $300 versus replace the cat $700 after market which gets pricey itself and some say doesn't prevent the code from coming back). Sorry to hear you are facing these headaches with your "new" car but quite possibly the previous owner had just reset the light before selling it to you.

Before you bother to change the remote battery, see if you can just reprogram it (instructions in owner's manual in section on changing the remote battery)

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1152&bih=681&q=subaru+outer+cv+joint&gbv=2&oq=subaru+outer+cv+joint&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1690l8847l0l9032l21l21l0l14l4l0l215l1030l1.4.2l7l0 Here's a bunch of Google images. Hope this helps.

I know exactly where he is in ct. He's between a rock and a hard place!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/automobiles/autoreviews/2012-subaru-impreza-about-that-drinking-problem.html?_r=1&hp

Have been futzin' around with p0420 code for a while and had a nice chat with Bosch tech support. They call back within 15 minutes of leaving a message. I would give them a call since my local Autozone's data base was wrong and gave me the wrong part # for my 05. Even my local Subie tech says stick with OEM for the front sensor as this controls the engine performance. From what I've read, the rear sensors on the other hand are worth the risk since they just throw a code to tell you when you are polluting and the cat is shot.

Spongy brakes?

Just in case your 1969 Subie 360 finally died and you were on your way out the door to replace her... http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9148154-subaru-stops-sales-of-three-2012-models

So, which hose to disconnect? Any pictures for the cavemen among us?

OK so which hose do I disconnect for the "outflow"? I'm not sure how this is more effective. What is to say that the fluid added from the dipstick stays "unmixed" with the rest of the fluid? Can someone explain the anatomy of the fluid path?

Elegant in black! So glad that you got an 05 OB so I can compare notes! My 05 at 130,000 has joined the P0420 code team. You will find that the 05 is set up for low emissions (white sticker under hood proclaims Calif emissions compliant). Great since I live in CT! To achieve this gold standard, there are three cat converters and five O2 sensors. I may be needing a new cat since according to a number of other sites, the 05 is immune to the cheater on the sensor fix! Can't really complain though since otherwise the car has been great. Good luck with yours.

Drats! Recurring 0420 on 05 OB. MY 05 has 5 sensors and three cats. Sensors are located: 2 pre cat, 2 post cat and one atop the rear secondary cat. Under the hood it says Calif. emissions. I had the 0420 (bank 1 below threshold) so I had already experimented with the cheater on the passenger post cat sensor without success. Yesterday I installed a new oem pre cat sensor on passenger side (bank 1) hoping that it was getting lazy at 130,000 miles and if so prevent it from damaging the cat if this was the case but the code recurred. While trying to correctly identify the aftermarket sensors, I spoke with tech support at Bosch who was dubious that replacing the post cat sensor would help in my situation. (Remember it is in his interest to sell more sensors). He said that this sensor would become slower in response if failing and not more active so less likely to throw code. I reinstalled the cheater on the post cat sensor in one last ditch effort but it looks like a new cat may be coming in the future to eat out of my wallet!

That's great news Steve. Please update should the code recur. I will follow your lead and see if that fixes my intermittent 0420 as well.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=87708&highlight=delayed+engagement Link on Trans-X and delayed engagement above.

Just wanted to UPDATE the post for future searchers. I brought the car to the dealer. The tech did some testing and suggested that it was a defective (failing) unit which is contained in the overhead (map light) center console. Watch and wait was suggested due to intermittent nature of problem. Well it has been nearly 2 weeks and the airbag light that been occurring daily, has yet to come back on. If this continues, then the only thing that has remedied this was a reseating of the two connectors to this unit.

OK I'm thoroughly confused. I have P0420 code - for bank 1 (passenger side in US) catalytic efficiency below threshold 1.) MY 05 Outback has a total of 5 sensors. Since my 05 Outback has one precat and one postcat sensor and then another on the rear cat after the passenger and drivers pipes meet, do I need to change all three at 130,000 miles and while I'm at it throw in the drivers side precat and postcat sensor just because?? 2.) Are any of these critical OEM? Dealer told me I needed a new cat (maybe 2). YIKES x 2!

5 sensors total. This will add up to a tidy sum... Would you use only oem on front two precat sensors? What brand if not oem? Also what brand for two postcat sensors and the one that sits on top of the rear cat?

GD, Don't mean to hijack post but I've had the 0420 code for a while on my 05 OB. This vehicle has two front (pre-cat) and two rear (post-cat) sensors and one more on the rear cat. I tried the antifouler on the passenger (post-cat) rear sensor without success as it caused a different code to be thrown (2096). I removed the antifouler and installed black tape over dash warning lights. ;-) I haven't gotten around to trying the antifouler on the driver's and passenger post-cat sensor. With 130,000 miles on the car, is it advisable to change out the front sensors as a routine maintenance item or would they have thrown a different code than 420. Hate to waste the $ if they aren't at fault. Also hate to kill the cat.

Got it from their website but will be calling a rep today. UPDATE: Thank you for contacting Castrol North America. Castrol always recommends following the guidelines of the original engine manufacturer for the recommended fluid for use in your specific application. This information can be found in the vehicles owner’s manual or by contacting the manufacturer directly. According to Castrol’s ATF guide recommended for the 2008 Subaru Outback is the Castrol Import Multi-Veh ATF or the Castrol Dex/Merc Domestic Multi-Veh ATF. Both Castrol Import Multi-Veh ATF and the Castrol Dex/Merc Domestic Multi-Veh ATF meet the Subaru specifications and may be used in your application. Please find the product data sheets for the two mentioned products for your personal reference. Thank you again for contacting Castrol. Castrol Consumer Relations

Found this Castrol data sheet for their Multi Import trans fluid. http://www.castrol.com/castrol/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_ImportMV.pdf All spec Subaru meet or exceed. $5.42/qt at local WalMArt Not bad IF compatible...

Did you replace O2 sensors (are there 2 as stated earlier?) and knock sensor or just O2 sensors?

List price $10 paid $8 per quart at my dealer here in CT today.:-\