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6 cylinder "issues" pointers please


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Having troubles searching since I don't know their proper name.

 

I friend called tonight to ask me about an 03 Outback 6 cylinder with 160k his nephew is looking at.

 

I did know enough to ask if it had a CVT and he didn't think so (he's actually a mechanic so I'd HOPE he'd have noticed a CVT).

 

I have NO experience with these so I don't know what to look for. And I don't follow threads about them and thus am having search difficulties.

 

So - what's wimpy about these and how to check for those issues and/or what maintenance to ask about or have done.

 

Thanks

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No news may be good news. I haven't seen much posted here about complaints of the H6. More about owners worrying about the timing chains which seems to be a non-issue.

 

So now you're just looking at its general overall condition.

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I htought they had chains - but don't know if there is a recommended (or common sense) interval.

 

Part of me thinks that newer owners aren't the bulk of the members here.

 

But yea - I was looking fo rinfo like we know about other series - head gaskets, baffle plate, rod knock, etc.

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We work on a few. All of them high milage and doing fine, one of them approaching 300k. Living in New-England I would suggest taking a really close look at the steel coolant lines that run under the engine. That seems to be a common fail point, and the only issue's I've really seen with them, besides bearing failures on the serpentine belt pulleys. That's about the only thing we have done to them mechanically, besides regular maintenance. They are very good cars, just the rust kills them up here...

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A few '01s and '02s seem to have the early chain tensioner failure, haven't seen that reported on an '03 yet, very few re[ported head gasket problems, it has a regular 4EAT if it's the LL bean, the VDC model has the VDT trans with the center diff, 44/55 power split, and traction control.

 

They make great highway cars as they are geared a bit higher than the 4 cyl outbacks, and it'll pull 120mph stock.

 

100, 110 are very easy to hit, those last 10mph take a bit of distance.

 

Bought mine with 55K 3 years ago, just under 170 on mine now.

 

I replaced a front wheel bearing, and the oil cooler coolant pipe under the engine is a bit rusty.

 

Dave

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i've got two of them Dave - a VDC and non-VDC model.

 

they're great engines and not too many issues, that's why i drive them.

 

mine has terrible gas mileage unless it has optimum conditions.mine surprised me with 28 mpg driving long distance back roads at 50-60 mph on a trip we take multiple times a year. in town, daily driver, and interstate speeds in the mountains it drops quickly down to 21 or so.

 

timing chain tensioner noise is one thing to look for, can't miss that. not necessarily catastrophic (i've driven mine from 120k to 180k+ it has on it now with the same noise), but wouldn't want to pay top dollar or recommend that either.

 

the serpentine belt pulley bearings should both be replaced immediately upon getting the car. they fail a LOT and may run the risk of damaging the aluminum timing chain cover which has some insane number of bolts holding it on.

 

there's a TPS recall, i need to find out which years that applies too. causes erratic shifting.

 

if it's a VDC model the McIntosh stereos fail all the time, I've run across a bunch of bad ones. Make sure it works and plays CD's.

 

CVT wasn't until later models.

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