ettev Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Over from the older generation group. I'm looking at a 2003 Outback H6 3.0 with 145K on it. I know nothing about these newer engines or cars for that matter. What to look for? Concerns with these engines or the mileage on it? I'm told that 95% of it is open road/highway driving as a commuter vehicle. How many miles do these things go. I know the older EA81's will go indefinately with the proper periodic maintenance but how about these things? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 i love ours so far. seem to be excellent motors. look up the recent H6 threads, lots of H6 specific information. thread highlights some of the easier but important fixes common to these motors. great motors and allows you to avoid the EJ25!! kind of a win-win situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 great motors and allows you to avoid the EJ25!! kind of a win-win situation. nipper PS is basically just turn the key and drive . Normal maint and AWD test drive warnings do apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbhrps Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I believe another plus with the H6 is that you don't have to do the timing belt changes, as the H6 has a timing chain instead and should last the life of the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 nipper sorry, that was just for the H6 owners to read. my bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Don't forget the serpentine belt idler/tensioner bearings. Not a big deal, but at 145K it'd be a good idea to keep a close watch on 'em or just pony up the minimal bucks to replace the bearings. You can also spend a bit more and get the whole idler/tensioner assemblies. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ettev Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 OK, the car is nice except for the miles. Can be bought for mid to high $6K range. Deal or no deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 compare to autotrader and places that give car values, even ebay. i think you'll find that's a very reasonable price for one of these, they aren't cheap rides. if i hadn't found mine i'd be interested in the one you're talking about. as for mileage, there isn't a huge reference for these since they're relatively new as to how they do over 150,000. so far they seem to do very well. be prepared to put some money in it, or ask the dealer (if it's a dealer) to include that in the deal. although at 6,000 i can almost bet all of my subaru's that that's not a dealer price. transmission flush, coolant change, plugs and wires and at least inspect the two drive belt pulley bearings to make sure they aren't on they're way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I also would expect some maintenance to come up in the near future. Especially with the front engine area. Things like the water pump, alternator, idler pulley and such. Nothing real major but at the purchase price you are talking about that isn't a problem. The timing chain condition is hard to say. I'm not sure what the average life of that is but it is harder to work on than the old timing belts. Hopefully the car hasn't been in a wreck somewhere and that would be my biggest concern with the price it is at. You may want to have the front end checked out for a wheel alignment to see if that is ok before you sign on the dotted line. The car also requires premium gas in case you weren't aware of that. I have a '01 LL Bean Outback with the H6 in it and like it. I don't have very many miles on it though so it is really like a new car. Hope it works out for you to get this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Chains are supposed to last the life of the car. Old chains used to start giving up around 160,180,000 miles, so i am interested in seeing when/if they start giving up. Generaly if your buying a used car with over 100,000 miles dont be shocked that it may need a few grand put into it the first year (tires brakes wear and tear). Usually i expect to put that much in any car i buy over 80,000 miles in the first year. Sometimes i dont sometimes i do, just something to keep in mind. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I'm wondering what kind of mileage water pumps will be good for. I'm not sure how timing chains work, haven't looked into it but are cam, crank and oil pump seals still a concern? Those never seemed to have great 200,000 mile capability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 The big plus to the chain, is that the chain is sealed and lubricated. One of the things that kills seals is ozone (air pollution) as well as dirty oil and a stuck PCV valve. Keep in mind that since everything but the crankshaft nose is sealed under an aluminum cover, the seals do not have to be as vigourus, if any. I have not looked at the design, but since there are 100 odd bolts on the cover, it is seled, and cam seals are most likely no longer a concern. The waterpump you raise a good question. Subaru has some new spiffy antifreeze in thier new engines that are good for some rediuclously long period (I'll beleive it when i see it as I dont trust long lived fluids). Looking at the subaru parts list, it almost looks like the waterpiump is now external, on top of the timing chain cover? Pup your hood and lets us know. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) EZ - 3.0 Why am i always afraid of anything that EZ in its name. http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/H4H6Fall03.pdf And i stand corrected, its 59 bolts of varing lengths. PS EWWWWWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwwwwww i found the water pump, not in a happy place at all. I imagine its a completly differnt animal then what we are used to. Page 14, "engine timing chain routing" bottom right next to the crankshaft. Edited February 11, 2009 by nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ettev Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 YOW! Look at the length of that timing chain! These things have to be noisy as hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 (edited) On additional thought . True, the H6 has a timing chain and does not require replacement at 105K miles like the belt. However, when the timing chain and associated components need to be replaced it's very expensive. It would be unusual, but it is possible that the timing chain is beat on the car. Just check it before buying. Edited February 12, 2009 by The Dude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 On additional thought . True, the H6 has a timing chain and does not require replacement at 105K miles like the belt. However, when the timing chain and associated components need to be replaced it's very expensive. Ir would be unusual, but it is possible that the timing chain is beat on the car. Just check it before buying. In theory, lets say the chain is good for 210,000 miles. The cost of the chain replacement is about the same cost as 2 timing belt replacement, so its a wash, but an expensive wash. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 YOW! Look at the length of that timing chain! These things have to be noisy as hell. They are quiet till they start to stretch out. Ive seen longer chains, not much longer. Also seen cars with 4 of them. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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