2002 LLBean H6 3.0

[Rust]

Recently picked up a 2002 H6 auto tranny wagon for my girlfriend.  I have never owned a EJ or H6 subaru.  The newest subaru I have ever had is a 94 loyale.

 

Need some newbie advice on what type of oil to run in it, and other things to look out for.

 

It has a rattle/squeaking upon start up (like a bad bearing in a pulley) that goes away after warm up.   Other than that it runs excellent, and it has 186,000 miles.  The stereo and climate control is out of this world, feel like I am in a Cadillac when driving it.....not at all like a gen 1 Subaru.

 

any feedback from other H6 owners appreciated.

[john in KY]

My 08 takes 6 quarts. I use the synthetic stuff. 

[idosubaru]

10w30. Follow the owners manual.

Change oil often, it has hydraulic timing chain tensioners. Brand/weight hardly matters - any 10w30 is fine.

 

The noise is the serpentine pulley bearings - replace both of them. They're standard 6203 (i think) bearings. Tap out the old, tap in the new. real easy and common failure point. They fail so often I check/replace them every 60k or so. There's an off the shelf dayco pulley that's close enough to use, i forget the part number but a google serach will find it.

Edited September 7, 2016 by grossgary

[1 Lucky Texan]

check the 'sticky' threads here; http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/110-gen-2-2000-2004/

 

put a small clamp or a coupla small zip ties on the coolant o'flow hose at the radiator nipple.

 

the car may need it's 3rd set of spark plugs - tricky job so, stay with OEM double platinum for 60K+ miles of use.

 

I love my wife's 03 H6 - awesome highway cruiser.

[Rust]

Thanks for the info.  found this thread on replacing the pulleys.

 

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/39708-h6-serpentine-belt-pulley-tensioner-replacement.html

 

Unfortunately I have no maintenance records on the car, so I will also put on a new serpentine belt when I change the pulleys.

 

Should I run NGK plugs or do folks recommend another brand?

[1 Lucky Texan]

NGK 'double platinum' as it came from the factory - maybe mentioned in the owner's manual and possibly on a sticker under the hood. There is an iridium plug from NGK that works too.

 

no other brand is recommended as much and some are known to cause problems.

[idosubaru]

definitely run the stock NGK plugs, they're awesome.  i change them at 100k and they still look like-new.  they're expensive but robust and it's not a job that's fun to do or you want to do any more than you have to.

 

the valve cover gaskets frequently leak too over time - and with the valve covers removed the spark plugs are easy to replace. plugs are a pain to replace with the valve covers insitu.  if there's any sign of leakage or you like being a little proactive replace your valve cover gaskets, spark plug tube gaskets, and spark plugs all at the same time. 

[CNY_Dave]

I have factory plugs in mine, been in there far over 100k, no problems.

[1 Lucky Texan]

yeah, I changed 'em at 62k or so, looked like they could go another 20k .

[Rust]

Looks like rockauto sells a kit by Gates that has the belt and the 2 pulleys for $100.  I haven't priced the parts at the subaru dealership.  I'll probably go with the Gates Kit.

[1 Lucky Texan]

Looks like rockauto sells a kit by Gates that has the belt and the 2 pulleys for $100.  I haven't priced the parts at the subaru dealership.  I'll probably go with the Gates Kit.

 

didn't know that!

[Rust]

End of thread Update: No more squeaky pulleys.  Gates kit was an easy install.  The pulleys had Made in Canada markings, will see how they hold up.