rweddy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I am looking at getting into a 2nd generation outback with the h6 motor. I like the timing chain, and lack of HG issues. Any areas to look out for or reasons to steer away from the 3.0 motor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I am looking at getting into a 2nd generation outback with the h6 motor. I like the timing chain, and lack of HG issues. Any areas to look out for or reasons to steer away from the 3.0 motor? Gas mileage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 It is a solid motor. I have a 02 LL Bean and it is a blast to drive. Way more fun that my last 3 wagons and my Forester. There are some recent threads on the idler bearing and one other front bearing that has been going at about 75K and that has been about. The bearing issue is a cheap fix though and that is all I have seen so far. :grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 Gas mileage? Actually the same highway as 2.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I remember hearing something about one of the timing chain tensioners causing trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 It is a solid motor. I have a 02 LL Bean and it is a blast to drive. Way more fun that my last 3 wagons and my Forester. There are some recent threads on the idler bearing and one other front bearing that has been going at about 75K and that has been about. The bearing issue is a cheap fix though and that is all I have seen so far. :grin: Great thanks for the info. Is there any way to add a manual shift to the autos of these years? Even paddle shifters maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 i really like ours, it has a lot of refinements that finish it out well. since i do all of our auto work i'm liking the timing chain as well, we'll see how it goes. there are a couple great H6 reads on the site here, one was already mentioned about the easy fix idler bearings and importance of proper oil change procedures for timing chain equipped H6's. i would read through those. one members outlines having his timing chain tensioner replaced. he provided details of that in a thread here. to date they have been great motors with few issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 i really like ours, it has a lot of refinements that finish it out well. since i do all of our auto work i'm liking the timing chain as well, we'll see how it goes. there are a couple great H6 reads on the site here, one was already mentioned about the easy fix idler bearings and importance of proper oil change procedures for timing chain equipped H6's. i would read through those. one members outlines having his timing chain tensioner replaced. he provided details of that in a thread here. to date they have been great motors with few issues. Thanks for the info Gary. I too do all my own car work so I like the chain idea also. But I have replaced chains on Toyota's before what a pia. I like the power just wish the car had a manual tranny option, might have to swap one in?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 besides the timing chain tensioner and idler pulley bearings going...valve cover gaskets on the EZ30's have a tendency to leak....also Ive seen quite a few TPS go bad on these....Overall I think its a phenominal engine though...Ive seen a few with over 200k..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 besides the timing chain tensioner and idler pulley bearings going...valve cover gaskets on the EZ30's have a tendency to leak....also Ive seen quite a few TPS go bad on these....Overall I think its a phenominal engine though...Ive seen a few with over 200k..... Thanks! I just found on craigs with over 200k, but want one in the 100k but nice to know they can go over 200k like all other roos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I bought my '03 in October '07 with 55Kmiles on it, wasn't looking for an H6 but since I do almost 100mi of freeway driving a day, it seemed to make sense to go with something geared up (see below) and less stressed. I believe the H6 version of the 4eat has slightly higher gearing, making it a little more of a dog off the line but plenty of scoot once it's rolling. It's no sports car, it's no turbo, but there are those around here that I think wonder what the heck that green wagon was that they couldn't dust... I'm doing 5K oil changes on mine, castrol 5W30 with a subaru filter (H6 filter is also different from an H4 filter), just under 100K, so far so good. Valve covers are still tight, knock on faux-woodgrain dash inlay... Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skibumm Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 (edited) I am looking at getting into a 2nd generation outback with the h6 motor. I like the timing chain, and lack of HG issues. Any areas to look out for or reasons to steer away from the 3.0 motor? After looking for a 2nd gen H4 outback for awhile, I came to the conclusion that most people wont get rid of their Outback till the Head Gaskets go. So they trade them in, the dealer sends them to an auto auction and they end up for sale on a used car lot and/or Ebay. I ended up purchasing a nice 2001 112,000 mile H6 VDC two weeks ago, so far so good. The car has allot more power, not neck breaking, but enough that its a nice improvement over the H4 motor. Besides what others have mentioned as potential problems, I have read where the front brake rotors tend to warp, most likely do to the heavier engine. I also talked a mechanic at the local Subaru dealer, he said he has only done one HG job on a H6 ever, that is compared to doing 2-3 H4 HG jobs a week! yikes!..... Edited April 6, 2009 by skibumm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 After looking for a 2nd gen H4 outback for awhile, I came to the conclusion that most people wont get rid of their Outback till the Head Gaskets go. So they trade them in, the dealer sends them to an auto auction and they end up for sale on a used car lot and/or Ebay. I ended up purchasing a nice 2001 112,000 mile H6 VDC two weeks ago, so far so good. The car has allot more power, not neck breaking, but enough that its a nice improvement over the H4 motor. Besides what other have mentioned as potential problems, I have read where the front brake rotors tend to warp on the front, most likely do to the heavier engine. I also talked a mechanic at the local Subaru dealer, he said he has only done one HG job on a H6 ever, that is compared to doing 2-3 H4 HG jobs a week! yikes!..... I would agree that the front rotors are a bit undersized. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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