J A Blazer

This is serious. You should not drive this car. Have it taken by flat-bed tow-truck to a competent mechanic immediately.

Smpol19 - do you mind sharing the name of your mechanic? I'm in Fairfax and in need of the 105K very soon. Thanks.

Sounds to me like you had a leaking valve cover gasket, not head gasket.

My 2000 OBW has one.

I did this recently on my 2000 OBW and it was not difficult, but I do not remember whether you might also have to pry up the window switch assembly - it is possible that another screws lurks back there, but I doubt it. Are you sure that you are lifting the panel up first, then away from the door? There is a top lip that rests next to the glass.

Not sure about that; my 2000 OBW has an external filter on the automatic transmission.

I repeat myself - new fluid is not sufficiently opaque and is therefore difficult to see on the dipstick. Hot, idle, in park - I understand, but what about the difficulty in seeing the fluid? Any suggestions, or is there nothing else that I can do?

Part of the problem is that the fluid is relatively clear and its hard to distinguish the level on the dipstick; suggestions?

What is the secret to determining the level of ATF with any degree of confidence? Cold or hot, at idle or off? I changed the fluid, but the dipstick simply doesn't consistently register the level of fluid.

Are these items recommended at 90K, or at 105K?

One-owner 1997 Outback wagon, 122,000 miles, well-maintained, no issues apparent. Worth $5,000?

Question: In my 2000 OBW, opening the driver's door with the key unlocks only the driver's door (even with multiple rotations of the key) yet with the remote all doors will unlock. Is this normal? If not, what is the explanation?

e-mail me directly at JABlazer@aol.com

I'm in Fairfax and happy to look at it if you want. I'm near George Mason.

You personally rebuilt the motor, but don't know where the steering rack is? How is this possible?

Regarding price range, I did considerable shopping before I bought mine 3 months ago. It is a 2000 Outback wagon, base model. I bought it from a local dealer. It was a one-owner, with most of the service records. Well-maintained, no issues. 'Sub-frame recall' and 'coolant additive' had been timely done and documented by the dealer. 85,000 miles. I paid $9,600 which I considered a good deal. I've fixed a few minor things, nothing major. Very happy.

The body style changed for year 2000, so my recommendation would be to get that year, at the earliest.

Although the 6-disc changer in my 2000 OBW would accept discs, it would not play them; I replaced it with a single disc player and the setup now works fine, so that tells me that its not the head unit that's to blame. But any suggestions on where to send the changer for diagnosis and repair? Its too valuable a device (over $400 retail) to throw out. TIA. I'm in Fairfax Virginia if that matters.

I too find it hard to read. I measured what I removed and I then replaced it with the same amount. This assumes that an appropriate amount was in to begin with, but its a start.

Be sure that you are trying to remove the bolt in the proper direction. If you are facing the rotor, and attempting to remove the caliper bolt from behind (i.e. the threaded portion is pointed towards you), keep in mind that you want to be applying force in the clockwise direction when viewed from your perspective.

I forgot to mention - each set also had 4 guide clips.

I purchased from the dealer front and rear pad sets with which to do a brake job on my 2000 Outback Wagon. Front set had two sets of shims (4 black and 4 silver), two tubes of anti-squeal paste, and instructions. Rear set had only one set of shims (black), no paste, and no instructions. Am I missing something?

I'm getting conflicting advice on the necessity of replacing the screw-on filter. Dealer wants $42.00 for the filter, which is one reason why I hesitate. One web-site regarding diagnosis and maintenance of the 4EAT says that under ordinary circumstances (whatever that means) it is not necessary to change this filter. What is the collective wisdom of this group? TIA.

I'm going to drain and refill my 2000 OBW transmission tomorrow with Dexron III. How many quarts should I expect to put in, assuming I don't touch the filter? Any reason to change the filter?

Did you use an OEM thermostat? Many stories of non-OEM thermostats not working properly.