dubs283

pick n pull long block for around $150, check the odo for miles - still a bunch out there with less than 200k on em great learning experience pulling the motor, if you go this route download the FSM

Welcome to USMB! and congrats on the subaru, looks real clean! I tend to spend a lot of time in MT especially the Flathead/Missou area, always looking for new adventure spots in the area, camping, hiking, general mischief, etc...if you're around, pm me!

go with a gates brand timing belt kit, you're in there change out the idlers, water pump, t-stat, and tensioner a timing belt isn't something you want to cheap out on, if it fails you are replacing the heads find gates kits on ebay/amazon - reasonably priced

not the first, or last time this has happened (myself included) glad ya found it corvid, hope all be sooth sailing from here on out sage advice as well, triple check your work. i will add, take breaks on the major overhaul stuff. its easy to get distracted and have your mind wander on bigger projects. its a good idea to leave the cell phone inside while torquing the heads too, mine rang twice while in the middle of the seemingly strange and convoluted torque sequence! i will quote a late member from another board i post to: "why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, but always time to do it again?"

Hey Pasta, welcome to the board and to Idaho! Like upnorth says, your main large maintenance item is the timing belt, pulleys and water pump, recommended at the 105k mile mark. Expect to pay from $500-$800 for the job depending on where you go for service, unless of course you do it yourself, which a lot of folks here do there's always plenty of free advice and help here! As far as locating a vehicle to purchase my rule is to never buy a used car from a dealer, too many "add on costs" like licensing fees and dealer prep whatever that is, i guess that's how they make money though. Craigslist by owner is the best, not sure how boise's c-list is but spokane definitely has a bunch of subes for sale all the time You may also consider going to Seattle or Portland, more than enough OB's and foresters to go around out there Good luck on your search and don't hesitate to ask questions!

Thanks Twitch!! I see by your location you must be near Farragut, my wife's aunt lives right down the road from there I think over the next year or so, I'll be getting closer to the CDA area myself - and be looking for some subaru parts for sure! I'll definitely be in touch...

having experience in the troubleshooting/repair field i will say this about haynes/chilton/seloc manuals - you are better off using them for a knee pad or to start the stove with on those cold winter days out in the garage the link that heartless posted will give you a lot of info on that engine and driveline, if you are interested in other years of the engine click the link below and peruse at your leisure: http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru/Legacy%20Outback/ these are the factory service manuals and although a little difficult to navigate have a ton of great info in them

i have not been there, i don't get south too often i tend to spend more time in montana, plenty of secluded hiking, biking, and camping areas within an hours drive of me some day though...i do like exploring!

That's cool! I grew up in MN, my Dad grew up on the iron range, nice to see some photos from there! Enjoy your time there and safe travels

Hi! New member from N Idaho here, glad to be a part of the Subaru community, have lurked for a while, mostly to get repair info and ideas/inspiration for future projects I would like to thank the countless members whose posts I used like a reference book to help repair both my legacy wagon and my wife's outback wagon, if not for the information and photos here (along with other subaru forums), the valve job I did on my wife's outback would have taken much longer I'm excited to be here, to see all that's available, chat about subarus and help others like so many have helped me!! The cars I get to fix and tinker with are my 1996 legacy wagon and my wife's 2001 outback wagon, both are the only subarus we have owned and have been two of the best cars we have ever owned!!