Need help... Have ability to obtain a 2003 Baja

[chowface86]

Hey guys... I am totally new to the Subaru world. I have owned several Mercedes and Firebirds...

 

My moms boyfriend recently passed away... He owned a 2003 Baja, it has 244,000 miles on it. He had spent a lot of money over the years keeping it up. After he passed, my brother discovered its leaking oil into the plugs, and making it stall out. His friend looked at it, said was coming from one side of the motor, and suggested the some seals had failed. Any suggestion on this? I guess the car stalls out from time to time, no check engine light. 

 

Long story short, I was offered the chance to buy it for $1000. I know its a majorly great deal, so I am getting it for sure. I would think its worth at least $4000, but I have been wanting a cool 4x4 car for my outdoor adventures I take here in So Cal.

 

Any words of advice on a Baja with high miles like this one? Any insight on the oil in the plugs? He also I recall before passing away stated the 4x4 would not work sometimes. How can I have them check for me? I am getting the car in Minnesota and driving it back home to California later this month.

 

Thanks for any help/insight/advice in advance.

[john in KY]

Unless you are positive the timing belt was changed around 200K miles, I won't drive it out of state. 

[chowface86]

Unless you are positive the timing belt was changed around 200K miles, I won't drive it out of state. 

 

thanks.. i will have to check on this. i am pretty sure it was replaced a long while ago... extreme fail rate on this motor?

[Olnick]

No "extreme fail rate"--just an extremely wise move if you're not sure of the history.  Anyone have any records on the car, receipts for parts purchased or work done?  Would be wise to find an independent Subie mechanic in Minnesota to inspect it before setting out across country.  Good luck--sounds like a great deal!

[chowface86]

No "extreme fail rate"--just an extremely wise move if you're not sure of the history.  Anyone have any records on the car, receipts for parts purchased or work done?  Would be wise to find an independent Subie mechanic in Minnesota to inspect it before setting out across country.  Good luck--sounds like a great deal!

 

Thanks! Thats what I was thinking, get an expert in these to take a close look. I know it needs some work based on oil getting in the plugs... Just hope its not a ton outside of that. Super stoked to have this as my adventure car here in Cali. Its a really cool car.

[Olnick]

I'm no expert on "newer" engines but try a search here on the board--oil around the plugs has been talked about for sure.  May be simply needs new valve cover & plug hole gaskets.  Start a new thread and ask if anyone has any recommendations on a good indy Subaru shop where the car is.  Good luck.

[chowface86]

I'm no expert on "newer" engines but try a search here on the board--oil around the plugs has been talked about for sure.  May be simply needs new valve cover & plug hole gaskets.  Start a new thread and ask if anyone has any recommendations on a good indy Subaru shop where the car is.  Good luck.

 

if you had to guess, what do you think a job like the valve cover gaskets could run? I was told its tough to do on this motor.

[Fairtax4me]

Valve cover gaskets should cure the oil in the spark plug wells.

 

The timing belt isn't as big a worry as the idler pulleys and tensioner. The idler with the teeth likes to fail and it takes the belt with it. This IS an interference engine, so broken belt = bent valves.