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2002 Legacy Gt Pre-Purchase Question


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Hey all!

I'm looking at a 2002 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon with 125k as my next purchase for a car. Recently gave the car a look-over and test drive (no oil leaks, no smoke from the exhaust, no coding, clear coolant when looking for head gasket failure), but there was two things my friend and I noticed. My friend and I could hear what we think is an exhaust leak when revving the car. In addition to that, while revving it the car, as the rpms come back down, the rpms would dip pretty low (like almost stalling out low) before going back up to idle speed 1 second later. Any major concern? Perhaps the rpm dip is due to the exhaust leak?

Thanks in advance!

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unlikely due to exhaust leak.  RPM is likely minor and unimportant, a tune up would probably help that (given we know nothing about the vehicle so this is all ambiguous, foggy guessing)

 

1. headgaskets

look for external leaking at the rear

bubbles in the overflow tank after an extended highway spring

look for signs of them already being replaced - you can see the edges of the gasket protruding from the block if you know where to look - google image search if not

brand new coolant, water pump, tstat, hoses, radiator suggest you should look further into possible chasing of a headgasket issue (although these would typically only happen with headgaskest that have already been replaced, since the originals just leak externally and visibly so the failure is obvious). 

 

2.  torque bind - drive in tight circles.

 

3.  timing belt - all the pulleys, tensioner ,and belt should be replaced for long term reliability, the valves will be bent $$$$ if the timing belt breaks.  $200 in parts and 2 hours labor to do it yourself, or $500 - $1,000 at a shop.

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