Zaphod

Hello, I have a '03 Outback wagon with a CEL light on. Last week I had a tune-up and the service guy said the CEL was on due to the evaportaion system. They cleaned the gas cap and tightend it, and cleared the CEL light. He said if it came back on to bring back in. It's back on, and I am wodering if anyone has an idea about what might be happening. It has been getting pretty bad gas mileage this winter, and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it? Thanks.

I did in Oregon, and I will most likely take it in again to my Utah dealer. No it was smoking out of the catalytic converter and the adjoing seal right behind it, pretty far from the muffler. The undercoating was bought through the dealer, but applied by an independent bodyshop. Yes it does have an AT, and I wonder if that is the culprit. The first time it happened I just recently had all the fluids changed from the 30,000 mile service. But I did have the Oregon dealer look at it, and they couldn't find any reason other than the one I stated above. I just wonder why it happened again. Thanks for all your replies, I hope to get this resolved soon.

Bump Anyone?

Hi all, I have a 03 OBW with a little over 30,000 on it. I just barely had the 30,00 mile service done few days prior, and I took a trip from Utah to Oregon. A few hours into our drive I was speeding up a hill, I looked back in my rear view to a trail of smoke. Continued on, and coming up a second hill with it at high RPM looking in the mirror and this time it was a thick trail of smoke. I exited at a rest stop and noticed it was smoking out of the catalytic converter and what looks like a seal from the converter's pipe connecting to another exhaust pipe that goes to the muffler. Sorry I don't know the correct names for the parts. I ended up making it to Oregon without noticing anymore smoke. I took it into the dealership (Gresham) and they said they couldn't find anything leaking or any low fluid levels. They mentioned that it might have been from the undercoating that I had put on to prevent salt damage. Saying it could've got so hot that it dripped on the pipes. I did drive back from Oregon without any trouble. But again today while the engine was very hot, the A/C on, and climbing up a steep hill with the RPM's high I noticed it smoking again. I looked under the car and it was smoking from the same spots as before. Does anyone have an idea of what this could be?

I just recently noticed that a big chunk of the plastic undercover (the part with the sliding plate w/ clips to get to the oil filter) has broken off. At the last oil change, I did not put the plastic clips back in it, and that might have contributed to it sagging and catching on the freeway at a high speed, breaking it. I think I'll need to replace it. My questions is to anyone who might know if it is an easy part to take off and put on. Maybe it's a few bolts? I haven't had the chance to examine it fully. Stupid mistake costs me around $100.00

I am guessing that this is an idication of a coolant leak of some sort? Does coolant burn off normally, or is it supposed to stay the same level in the overflow? I have the 2.5 03 OBW, this car only has 16,000 miles on it, could the head gaskets really leak this early?

What is the typical rate for coolant level to drop in the overflow? Before winter hit, it was below the low level, and so I topped it off, now it's almost below the low line again. Also sometimes when the heater is on, and I exit the vehicle I can smell burning fluid of some kind. The dealer said it was oil that spilled under the engine. Is this something to be concerned about? Thanks.

I've didn't change the crush washer two times and the second time I got drip from the plug. Changed the oil again, and put a new washer on and it doesn't drip.

I live in Northern Utah. I also just got a set of Nokian Hakkapeiitta Q snow tires for my 03 OBW. Well I must say that they have great traction on the snow and ice. I was really concernd that their soft rubber compund would make for a fast wearing tire. It's nice to know that yours are on their 5th season. What pressure do you run yours at? Also, to anyone, how much would a dedicated set of rims cost me for my snow tires?

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm just a paranoid new Subaru owner and I want to treat it right. I'm sure you all understand

Hello, I searched the archives and got mixed opinions about running full synthetic Mobil 1 in a newer engine. I have a 03 Outback and it has 5556 miles on it. I changed over today and put 5W30 Mobil 1 the newer engine formula. Was I not supposed to switch this early? And also someone mentioned that once you go synthetic you can't switch back, is that true? Thanks for any information.

Have the head gaskets been plauging the newer model Subies? like anything after 2001? Or is it really just to early to determine if this is going to be a poblem?

Ok that clears it up for me. I'm only going to do the touch up if I have to. I am going to see if my paint finish is under warranty for what happend. Thanks for the informative replies everyone, I shall let you all know how everything goes.

Thanks for the link! I did go and buy some touch-up paint from the dealership. Now when you say blob I am wondering of the type of applicator that came with the paint. Strakes, the paint that I got has an actual brush attached to the cap. Is this the same as your applicator? When you say blob it makes me think that you have the type of applicator that is like a sponge that absorbes paint from the bottle and you touch the chipped part with the top of the touch-up can with a sponge to the chip. Does that make sense? Also will this Touch-up+Langka work just as good with light scratches or do those need to be buffed? Thanks.

I've never heard of it before. Is it availible at places like Pep Boys, or just on the net?

Hi! New here.... Anyway I am a proud owner of a '03 Outback. Recenlty I went on my first road trip to Southern Utah/Vegas. When I arrived in So. Utah I noticed some white splotches across the hood. Thinking it was simply just dried water spots I shurgged it off. I just recently took my car to get it washed. I washed it in a high pressure hand-held sprayer type washer w/ the foaming brush to get off all the bugs and the splotches. Well after it dried they were still on the hood! I took it through the wash again today and while I got most of it off, a few very tiny spots still remain. Upon close insepction it seems to have gotten through the paint and it's all crakcled and tiny chips of paint are gone. I also noticed some random scratches here and there. I just went and bought some touch-up paint for it and just had some questions. I also should mention that I did get the clear coat Ming paint finish from the dealership. 1) How well does the touch-up paint blend in with the rest of the finish? Will it be very noticeable? 2)What are your recommendations for removing light scratches? Any advice is appreciated.