stillfox

Here is what I got: 3000rpm at 60mph 3500 rpm at 70mpph 3750 at 75mph 4000 rpm at 80mph It increases almost linearly with the speed at the 5th gear. I knew my nissan altima run about 3000rmp at 75mph. Is my number right or it is high just because it provides a larger torque? Thanks,

First, thank you all guys for your advice. Second, I am afraid that the leak is not from the return fuel hose. Now it becomes more serious. When I started the engine, it starts to leak/dribble. And when I jacked up one side of the car, the leak is more serious. When it is flat, the leak is slower. When I stopped the engine, the leak will gradually stop. I released the fuel pressure by disconnecting the fuel pump connector under my rear seats. I saw three hoses there, I guess they are the fuel hose, fuel return hose and some other hose. These connections to the fuel pump seem to be good. There are no leak there. I got under the car, and when the engine is turned off, I can hear some small sound of hissing around the gas tank. There is a tank cover down there, I removed it. However, the source of leak is on the upper side. I can only put my fingers into there and feel the leaked gas, but I still dont know the leak source. I tried to reomve the rear seat, but it seemed that I still cannot access the upperside even if they are removed. So can anyone give me any advice on how I can access the tank, or the middle section of fuel hose/connections without removing the axle? Thanks, stillfox

No, the engine is not shaking. The hole is after the cat and before the pipe towards muffler, I guess it has already been cleaned. I drove it to Albany one time. It is about 230miles, and I used less than 10 gallon gas (The tank is just 12 gallon for my outback. Yes it s small). So I guess the gas mileage is fair. However, the local mileage is low. Since the fuel return line is leaking afer I shut off the engine, everything makes so much sense now.. BTW, where can I buy those hoses and fuel line connections? I dont see them showing up in autozone and advanceautoparts? Do I have to order from dealer? Mine is 1997 subaru legacy outback. Thanks,

Thanks, So for the first case leaking at fuel neck, I do not need to remove the axle, right?

All right. I took my car to cole muffler and took a look. Yes, the gasket between the converter and the pipe is open. There are two sensors there. BUt, that is not the reason i smell strong gas. The gas tank is somewhat leaking. It wont leak when you start the engine and let it run. It only leaks when the engine is shut off. I did a test. After shuting off the engine, the gas will dribble about 3 drops in 2 seconds. And this slows down until after 20 minutes it. I was told that it will be costy to repair since the axles have to be removed in order to access the tank and the fule line. Wagonsonly, it seems that you claim is true. I smelled the drips and they are raw gas. I d like to hear all your opinions. Is there anyway I can get around this without costy repair? THanks, Stillfox

wow, thank you all for your information. The smell is not so strong and it smells just like what the muffler sends off. I cannot smell it in the car. I only smell it when I get out. I saw some white smoke coming out from the connection between the catalytic converter and the pipe. There seemst to be a rubber ring there, the white smoke comes right our of the ring. I am not sure if the ring is part of the connection, or it is just some protection for the connection within. To be more precise, from the back the car, it is muffler, pipe, connection, catalytic converter. It is that connection. Or from http://www.rockauto.com/ref/Walker/Detail.html?1505.gif It is 31358 between 16090 and 54062. So I should take it to garage, right? It seems that the highway mileage is ok, about 25mpg, but local is very bad. Thanks,

Hi, there, I got a subaru 1997 outback recently. I know it is not supposed to be a very fuel efficient car, however, I still feel it is using too much more gas than average. I smell some gas when I got off the car, so I looked at the bottom. I saw there is somewhere broken (problem the connection) in between the catalytic converter and the pipe. Someone told me before that a hole on the pipe or the exhaust system that leaks will cause gas mileage to decrease. However, I think exhausing system is just throwing sth. before cleaning it up and it wont affect gas mileage at all. Can someone make it clear for me, please? THanks, Joe

I bought a used 97 subaru legacy outback 2.5L. It must have some weird electrical problems. A couple of things happened last two weeks. 1. I heard some sparkling sound when I drove. The sound is just like the short-circuit sound you can get when u connect two poles of a battery directly and causing sparks. Or it sounds like the sizzling of cobra. This sound is more recognizable when I stepped on the gas pedal. 2. When I stopped the car and tried to close the door. There is some static shot on my hand just like the static that u get in a dry day and when u touch some metals. 3. The battery died once. I probably forgot to close the light the day before. I jump started and it seemed fine after that. 4. The check engine light sometimes came on. But when I turned off the engine and turned it on, sometimes it is just gone. I check the code is p0325, which is knock sensor bad circuit. Since it is not there all the time, i guess there is some bad connection. 5. I also heard something when I made big left turn. However it does not sound the cv joint. I guess somehting is loose there and cause the knock sensor to think itself bad? 6. Recently, I turned it on and all of sudden, nothing happened. I then pulled out the key and tried again, and the car started without any problem. However, the clock is reset just like the battery was disconnected. ANyone, give me some hint. It looks like more than replacing a battery to me. Thank you, stillfox