brus brother

Yes. Car was sitting still, hence I was able to put my ear close and identify location. This would have been scary in motion! I was just monkeying around removing the piggybacked anti-fouler on the cat when I noticed the sound. It is coming from the area of the p/s a/c or idler and happens at idle and goes away when I turn the a/c on. Car is due for timing belt in 1,000 miles (maybe tomorrow) local special of $299 and I guess they'll have everything out and open anyway. Any thoughts?

05 OB started high pitched "ringing" that goes away when the a/c is turned on. Idler?? Happens at one particular rpm only.

UPDATE: Wife had it out for a couple of hwy. runs (she probably stays closer to 55 mph than Mr. Leadfoot) and now all sensors scan ready! Yippee.

05 OB automatic 105K miles. Noise from front left. Dealer said it was tire cupping so I rotated front to rear. Noise didn't change. Goodyear Triple Treads with 45K miles on them. What else could be causing the noise? Is CV joint noise always a click? The noise is related to speed (rotation). Car rides smooth. I realize that noises are hard enough to diagnose in person no less on the internet, but thanks for any feedback.

Took it for a 55 mph drive for about 20 minutes. All sensors except egr are ready. Found this: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=99980 How's that for complicated??

Just curious. With 24" of snow on the ground, I haven't proceeded any further with mods but after erasing the codes, my code reader still says that MIL not ready for cats and evap. Does this change to ready after a few drive cycles (what is a drive cycle?? distance... speed...) I'm afraid that this won't pass inspection as is...

@GD I hope this would indicate that modding the other two downtream sensors will prevent a recurrence??

@GD, that's my understanding as well. The 05 has two upstream sensors (one on each down pipe) and three post cat sensors (downstream) one after each cat and one after the two exhaust join and sits atop a "muffler" (God help me if it's another cat back there) Setup looks something like top exhaust here @Fairfax I used a cheapo code reader to erase the codes. Fingers crossed but I hate the uncertainty.

OK 600 miles codeless after P0420 mechanical fix (anti-fouler) and today I got two P2096 codes (second one reads P2096P) and some at nasioc report this being related to 05 (with O2 cheaters in place). http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1131438 I did install a biggyback antifouler but will take the advice to remove and drill it and use on driver's side cat and probably get another one and use on the third rear sensor behind where the dual exhaust joins. Has anyone dealt with the 05 before? I will post back or edit but I read somewhere that it has something to do with how the 05 reads the difference between the sensors that varies from other years. Just my luck... Any thoughts?

OK 600 miles codeless after P0420 mechanical fix (anti-fouler) and today I got two P2096 codes (second one reads P2096P) and some at nasioc report this being related to 05 (with O2 cheaters in place). http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1131438 I will take the advice to remove the piggyback, drill it and use on driver's side cat and probably get another one and use on the third rear sensor behind where the dual exhaust joins. Has anyone dealt with the 05 before? I will post back or edit but I read somewhere that it has something to do with how the 05 reads the difference between the sensors that varies from other years. Just my luck... Any thoughts?

Just looked at the pics again... Does the principal mind you parking in his/her spot OR are you the man?

Well that was easier than I thought. Part# 42009 from Autozone's Help aisle. We just had 13" of snow (a dusting to members from Alaska) but I found a clear spot in the driveway and could access the O2 sensor by removing the wheel. Wanted to give it its best shot so I used the 2 anti-foulers in the package, drilling out the one as described and piggybacking it onto the first and used anti-sieze as instructed. The code P0420 in the Autozone readout specified bank1 so I took a chance on the mod for just the sensor behind the passenger cat since AZ only had one package in stock. If the code returns, I will do the driver's side as well as the rear sensor behind where the dual exhausts join, hopefully on a warmer day. Thanks for the help.

non OEM...

15 minutes? Great, I'll be right over... take me about 5 days from Connecticut. Thanks for the clarification on the size.

I went to Autozone and they only had 14 and 18mm. Most of the web write ups (non-subie) speak of 18mm. Is this fix for Subaru 21mm as described earlier? Anyone able to post a part number and supplier for specs? There is discussion of using one or having to piggyback two?? AND lucky me, looks like this car has 5 sensors in all. 2 on each down pipe (PN 22641), 2 behind each cat (PN 22690)and 1 behind the muffler?/cat? right after the two pipes join, also PN 22690. So now do I do all 3 rear sensors? Could they have made it any more complicated?

And in the spirit of the season, the first two stories are worth reading. You can listen to them on Real Player if you have it or it's a free download. http://www.npr.org/programs/watc/storyproject/2000/001203.story.html

@GD, I'm not sure. It wasn't real cold when it reappeared (high 20s F) highway driving. Had gone about 100 miles and many restarts since Autozone cleared the P0420 code 5 days ago when the CEL/blinking cruise control reappeared. Car seems to be running fine... It is too cold to work on outside now and without a lift, I'm inclined to wait. 1. I suppose there is room above the original O2 sensor for this "extension"? 2. Is the wrench needed the standard size offered for loan by Autozone? 3. Anyone done this on 05 OB and is there a quick connect for the wire or is it cut and splice? 4. I can't recall but will the code a. reset itself b. reset by disconnecting battery c. disconnect battery and something else I can't recall? 5. Will someone come to my house and do this while I stay warm in front of the TV?

YIKES! Parts alone for the two cats for 05 OB/auto is close to... $1800 from discount online subie store:eek: Is there an alternative beside cheating the sensors as above described?

Always like hearing from the cheap seats in Speculation Corner. 2005 OB 4 cylinder but YES dual friggin' cats. 2 front sensors. 2 rear sensors. All original equipment at 105K miles. Can't find the printout from Autozone (I need a leaf blower to organize my desk) but I think the readout stated 3 possiblities. Improper AF ratio Something about Bank 1 Catalytic converter (read: prepare to empty wallet)

The dreaded P0420 hit last week on my 2005 OB with 103k miles. Cleared code and came back at 100 miles. My 2005 OB has two front and two rear O2 sensors. Do I need to add the spacer on both rear O2 sensors for this to work as described?

I see from the search function it means USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION. Actually, I took it to Autozone before clearing the codes... P0420. Checked the gas cap and gave it a few extra clicks and no code for now but it was hard starting at first and ran like crap after the code was cleared but now seems OK. I think I will follow a course of benign neglect until/unless the warnings reappear.

What's this all about?? 2005 Outback auto 105K miles.

Don't worry Shin. Welcome to the board. I've learned a thing or two (that's an understatement) from the members here. As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat. In this case, perhaps what others are pointing out is that you used a chainsaw to do the skinning. Glad it worked for you so far but keep an eye out down the road for the possible pitfalls suggested in your method.

and the car color matches your t-shirt!

yeah you're right. We now have howling tires as well as squirmy tires:lol: