LocalHero
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Posts posted by LocalHero
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Not just the 02 models, there are issues with all 00-04 Phase II motors. These leak externally instead of internally like phase I but can still be an issue. I work with a lot of subaru owners, car of choice in Colorado, and about 2 of 10 have had HG issues. One was a 01 with 101k the other a 98 with 120k.
The net of this is Phase I and II are susceptible to HG failures.
At least 02 and later cars might have some sort of warranty. Does Subaru make any diesels? I took this pic of a Subaru in Costa Rica this Oct and it opened my eyes to the fact that they make some cool vehicles that we don't see in this country.
(hope this pic attachment works)
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nope. go buck wild on those.
Hi Gary,
I'm moving my choices up to the 02 and later models and so decided to look again at consumer reports data and lo! I found the original page that rated the 98 and 99 engines as "poor" (big black dot).
It seems CR has some minorly conflicting info up there. If you type subaru outback into the search page, then click on model overview of the Subaru Outback it shows up as I first saw it. Just important to me to prove I'm not crazy I guess.
J
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Here's one for instance: item 4601550454 on Ebay. Assuming this guy's story is true, why would the ins co total the car as soon as they heard the computer got wet? Will that create mega problems in the future? Otherwise this seems like a good deal.
Also, he says it's a limited. Wouldnt' a limited have leather seats?
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Actually that is not true, now they leak externally. My father in laws 03 just blew with 45k.
Sigh. Ok, as Gary pointed out this is where I'll hear from folks with complaints and issues but not from those with no problems. I guess I remember reading that the issues with the 2002 and later were much fewer and Subaru seems to be taking some responsibility for them.
If I buy an 02 with 60K on it isn't it at least under warranty for another 40K?
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Keeping up with this thread (I thought the site would email me with new posts to the thread but I guess only with replies to my own posts?)
I gather that I want to stay away from the phase 1 2.5 engines and maybe even the early phase II 2.5's unless its a great deal.
What about the 2002 outbacks and later? Are they still beset with the higher rate of HG failure? (I haven't had time to understand torque bind yet)
I'm looking more on Ebay and coming across some that seem interesting at least. Haven't found anything more local yet but I'm just trying to educate myself further so the next one doesn't disappear while I research.
Thanks,
John
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sorry...actually i can't recall exactly which model it was. impreza outbacks (impreza outback sport/ OBS) are smaller than legacy outbacks (full wagon). i think it was an impreza outback, but don't really remember.
I didn't realize the Impreza is an outback...is that just for the wagon model that they call it that?
I also thought the Legacy outback was what they were called in the 90's and that the legacy and outbacks were different now a days.
I don't mean to be splitting hairs, just trying to be not mixed up on the terminology.
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i was going to offer to check the $5,000 82,000 mile impreza out for you here in DC, but i can't find it today???
I hadn't thought of looking at the impreza....isn't it smaller than the outback?
Thanks
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sorry you missed out on that one. can you travel? i bought one 800 miles away for a great deal and flew there one way for under 50 bucks and drove it home.
Sure I can travel, if it seems worth it. One difficulty in a vehicle from a distance is that I'd want a mechanic to look it over so I'd have to find one near the vehicle.
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Well the OB I was looking at sold today but I feel like I've gained a lot of knowledge to help with my future search. Much thanks to all who contributed to my knowledge gain!
A final question would be where to look. Charleston's local paper has nada and the one I came across on Craig's list was the first I've seen. Ebay vehicles do come up on occasion and I'll continue to look there.
I'm wanting a wagon for the space and the awd and clearance would be nice as I kayak a bit and sometimes am traveling unpaved roads. Still I've also cast my eye on Jetta/Passat largely because a girl I was seeing has a diesel Jetta that gets 48mpg. I was going for Subaru because of their reputation. Seems like that's a little less stellar than I thought but I'll still keep them as one of my top choices.
Thanks again for all help,
John
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all 98 era 2.5's are phase I and are prone to the head gasket issue. hit or miss and can happen at absolutely any time to any phase I 2.5. i'm mostly leary of these motors for people like you that have to buy one...because the head gasket issue is so hard to spot at first that it's a very easy car to sell when the issue first comes up. (someone on the board just bought one and had the head gasket issue shortly afterwards, look up the post if you're interested). my guess is the head gasket issue was there before he bought it and that's what motivated the seller. that's what i'm leary of.
the new OEM Subaru headgasket does fix the problem, so if you do have to get them replaced (there are two head gaskets), they should not give you any more issues if installed properly. $1,000 - $1,500 dealer installed, independent shop might do it a little less (be nice if they're familiar with subaru's though!) be sure they install the Subaru gasket only.
I definitely wouldn't get it without having a mechanic look it over first. Now I can direct the mechanic to look hard at the head gasket issue.
make SURE it's timing belts that were replaced. alot of people confuse accessory/drive belts with timing belts. by "all belts" replaced that could easily mean just the drive belt(s) and the unknowledgable owner assumes that also means timing belts but really he doesn't know. and maybe he did have the belts done early, but kind of weird to do a $500+ job earlier than it's needed. that being said someone may have incorrectly informed him or he may be accustomed to older cars where the belts are changed at 60-70,000. that used to be the norm and maybe he or the mechanic assumed it best to do it then on this one. best to clarify and be positive it was replace. these are interference motors, if the belt breaks other items could be damaged...valve/pistons.
Yes, I'm suspecting he doesn't really understand what he's saying. Maybe paper records would clear it up if he has them but he's just moved from CA so I'm unlikely to talk to the shop where he had it done.
i've heard people refer to transmissions as "transaxles" before, so clarify that as well. maybe the transmission or the transfer clutches were replaced and he's misquoting? if something was replaced, i wouldn't consider that an issue.check the tires, if they are matching or not. if they are grossly different in tread that's not good for the trans. not gauranteed problems, but not preferrable either.
Again, paperwork might clear this up. I'll look at the tires, thanks.
i'd shop around a bit and see what prices you can come up with. another option is to swap a 2.2 liter motor in place of the 2.5. you can pick up a 2.2 liter motor for a couple hundred and end up well under $1,000 (the head gasket price) and you don't have to worry about damaged heads, blown gaskets, etc. a little less power, but an excellent motor. the 2.2 is very robust.Being not-a-mechanic, I'll probably pass on the change the motor option. (you can really buy and install a motor for less than replacing head gaskets?) I had this done once, on the first Subaru I'd ever bought and it was never right after that. There's just too much I don't understand about it.
EDIT - in less than one minute i just found a 1997 Outback with 82,000 miles for $5,000 and all service records over the past 4 years (and they would likely come down lower than that, private seller). so i'd look around and see if you can get a slightly better deal.Double EDIT - i found the one you're looking at, looks nice!
if you do test drive it, drive it for an extended period at highway speed and watch that temp gauge. if it moves or wavers at all i'd pass on it. may want to read past threads, these things run a little hot in weird circumstances, like at highway speeds or something.
Gee Gary, you're efficient! You found the one I'm considering on Craigslist? There aren't that many Outbacks around the Charleston area to choose from. I've bought plenty of stuff on Ebay but I'm leary of buying a car that way....how do you check it out?
Anyway, thanks for all your advice. I'll proceed with caution and report back here if I do buy the car or find another.
John
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96-99 2.5 are Phase I DOHC motors. They have HG issues, but it seems to be hit and miss. I have several friends who have close to 200k and no issues, but then my frather in laws 02 blew at 35k.
The cost for repair is around $1500 for a shop, less if you do it yourself.
Other than the possible HG issue, these are great cars, and you should not have any issues at all.
That's enough $$ to scare me a bit. I'm a carpenter and too many times when I play mechanic I end up with skinned knuckles and lots of frustration. I don't have the tools or knowledge to make it "easy".
I'll call my mechanic and see what he quotes in case there's an issue.
thanks,
John
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I would ask why the Timing belt was replaced early - 105K is the recommended figure.
Ther is no rear transaxle.
The seller is uninformed about the car and you may use that to your advantage. Ask who his mechanic is and if he tells you - call him and see what really occurred.
I have a 97 Limited. Good rig. 110k miles no probs knock on wood. And yes the headgasket thing is curable, not a reoccuring thing. There was simply some bad gaskets out there. If you visit the car look for signs of gasket failure (do a search of this forum) and torque bind if its an automatic.
check ebay for prices.
rd
Seller referred to the 70K mile belt replacements as "a maintenance item". I hope he has records, he may not have even had the T belt replaced and only thought he did.
Torque bind. Now you've given me another term to research. It is an automatic and does have the 2.5 engine.
Thanks for the help.
John
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Hi to all here from a newbie! My first car was a '74 Subaru GL coupe and was maybe the best car I've ever owned. Now I'm 30 years older and looking at another.
I'm considering a '98 OB limited that has 84,000 miles on it. My eyes are buggy from reading posts about head gaskets, phase I engines, overheating, etc and I get the general picture but have a couple of questions.
The current owner of the car tells me the timing and all other belts were replaced at 70K. He also says "the rear transaxle was replaced about 1,200 miles ago". He reports never having any other problems with the car.
I'm confused on the phase I engine references on this board...would that include all '98 Outbacks? Does the fact that this car has 84K on it without problems suggest that it won't likely have them in the future? If I do need to replace the head gaskets, is it an expensive job and can I then figure the problem fixed or will it likely be recurring. I'm not a mechanic and I'd have the work done professionally.
Finally, not a mechanic, I don't even know what a transaxle is but it doesn't sound like routine maintenance to have it replaced at 80K. Does this event point to another potential problem?
The ask is $6,900 and it's 1 1/2hrs away so I'm trying to fortify my knowledge before I go look and maybe take it to a mechanic to go over.
Thanks for all help,
John
'98 OB purchase...maybe...help?
in 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza, Outback, Forester, Baja, WRX&WrxSTI, SVX
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I'm not sure which year your addressing at this point but I've had older cars all my life (currently '89 Accord) and I'm wanting something newer. 2.2's are hard to find in newer cars and Subarus are already hard to find around here. I'm watching Ebay but I'm not sure I'm ready to buy a car unseen.
Thanks,
John
(still reading this thread)