J A Blazer

My 2000 4-cyl A/T OBW has 120K; all original suspension components; never wrecked; new tires. If I'm going about 50 mph and back off the throttle, the car 'trembles' briefly as it decelerates. Also trembles/shakes at low speeds with uneven curb cuts, speed bumps, etc. What is the likely explanation? What bushings/mounts/etc. typically wear out by this mileage and might explain this problem? TIA.

Abog: Actually, I'm fairly certain that he did put in dye and I brought the car back to him several weeks later, but the black-light did not reveal any leak.

2000 4 cyl OBW, 120K. About 18 months ago my A/C stopped working. My independent mechanic topped up the refrigerant and it worked fine until just recently. Took it back to him, and he says now there is a leak in the discharge line (part # 11 in the schematic, the one that runs between the condensor and the compressor) where it connects to the compressor. Is this likely just a bad o-ring, or does the line itself need replaced? Either way, does this repair require a new receiver/dryer at the same time? TIA.

I bought two axles from Marshall and was pleased with the transaction, but I did perceive that he is a one-man operation and sometimes slow to respond to phone/fax/email. But worth the wait.

My mechanic told me that in order to change the plugs on an H6 it is usually necessary to remove the engine mount bolts and lift the engine slightly in order to permit the spark plug socket wrench to get past the frame rails.

Perhaps what you are smelling is grease from the CV joints, spinning out through torn CV boots onto the exhaust system. Thats what happened to me.

Fantastic! Who is/are 'OpposedForces'?

At about 113K my '04 OBW threw the same code. Dealer reset it, said to watch it, and it went several thousand miles until it briefly came on again and spontaneously went out. Until it comes on, and stays on, I'm forgetting about it.

TAmore accurate description of what is leaking is the gasket at the top of the spark plug tube. The valve cover gaskets are something else.

Is there an archive of old posts? If so, how do we get to it?

Will this fit my 2000 OBW?

I replaced the contacts in a Denso starter (for my Lexus) and had no problems at all. Yes, one of the contacts is asymetrical, so grinding yours may have inadvertently caused a problem. I had no problem keeping the contacts 'flat' while I torqued the nuts, and didn't use a press.

I recently had to disassemble a front strut/spring assembly because a previous mechanic forgot to install a washer between the strut and the tophat. Although I have a high-quality spring compressor I was unable to get the job done, and took the assembly to a local Goodyear store; they did it for me, for $20. Money well spent, in my opinion.

I'm curious; how much did you pay for your 2003 VDC?

MWE for me too. But do the math before you go to the trouble of sending your old axles back to him simply to recover your core charge. Cost of shipping will probably exceed the credit you will get.

I bought something from etrailers and was very happy.

Any idea why the official 2009 Subaru website still fails to acknowledge the ability to get an Outback wagon with the H-6 3.0? The brochure lists it.

I believe that piece fits into a corresponding slotted piece on the door, that prevents the door from popping open during a side impact.

This thread should have been labeled '2009' models; my mistake. But I went to the dealer today and picked up a 2009 Outback brochure; it clearly shows the H6 3.0 being available for the 2009 Outback wagon. I showed the dealer, on his computer, the official Subaru website which is silent as to that option; he was surprised, and had no explanation.

But apparently you can no longer get the H-6 in the Outback, if the Subaru website is to be believed, although the unofficial Subaru site "cars101" claims that it is available.

I must have missed this memo, but when did Subaru stop putting the H6 in the Outback, and when did Subaru stop building L L Bean editions?

Maybe your car had been rear-ended?

Not sure if they are bad, but I'm trying to figure out why there is more play in my front suspension than I like. I don't think the problem is tie rod ends or strut mounts, so other than control arm bushings or ball joints what could it be? 112K.

What is involved in replacing the lower control arm bushings on a 2000 OBW? Is this a DIY? If not, what is the dealer likely to charge?

I thought the H6, unlike the turbo H4, did not require premium gas?