raulcruz01@earthlink.net

thanks for your response! 1996 obw, 2.2 (if that matters)

i recently purchased a 96 obw and this is what the previous owner had done. This is how I carry my bikes and it works just fine

The other day we were low on fuel and about the right time (3 or so gallons left), the low fuel light came on. Then it went out and when I put gas in I had about .9 gallons left in the car! I know, I know: not smart. But since then I let it go with about 1 gallon left and the light never came on. It's rare for us to let the tank get this low, but being my first sub I think I'm not used to the gauge readings. Anyways, I'm wondering why the light is not going on anymore. is this a fuse issue? Thanks for your expertise!

Can someone give me a step-by-step on how to bleed the brakes? BTW, they are disc brakes and I'm sure he didn't forget a pad

rear brakes, that is. He said he bled the brakes, but the brakes feel mushy to me, like there's more play in them, like they reach closer to the floorboard. He's gone for a month and I'm wondering if there's something I need to do to firm them up or if I even need to do it (if they're fine the way they are). I've done brakes before, and though I'm no pro, I think I'm knowledgeable enough to get back in there and tweak something if it's relatively simple. Thanks for your help guys! BTW, it's a 96 outback wagon, 2.2 manual tranny

is the amount of smoke the car produces indicative of how much gunk was in there? I just did seafoam on the intake and though it blew out SOME smoke, it was not the "rock concert show" I was expecting from some of the posts herehttp://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

so... where can I get the best deal on a clutch for 96 outback with a 2.2 if someone could put it in for me? Is this a relatively easy job?

it does not slip, though it seems the lack of power to get out of sticky situations (as I mentioned in my original post) is what has me concerned. AT first, I just thought it was underpowered and was disappointed since I'd heard subes were great in the snow. I'm just trying to find out if the solution is as simple as putting in a new clutch.

is the general consensus that the problem is indeed the clutch?

anybody? WE'll be taking a long drive to Canada this summer and I'd like to fix this before we go if it really is the problem. Thanks for your input!

Thanks for your replies! The clutch is not slipping at all and seems to have plenty left. It has 138k (i bought it with 135k) and, to my knowledge, the clutch hasn't been changed. My experiences with clutches in the past is that you know it's going when it starts slipping and when you can push it all the way to the floor before it engages. It just doesn't seem that bad to me. The smell is definitely clutch. I wasn't spinning my tires, but it sounds like it MUST be the clutch going since it didn't seem to be that deep of snow for me to not be able to pull out. I have been thinking the car just didn't have very much power. Any other input?

I have a 96 outback that TWICE NOW has had a burning clutch smell when trying to get out of snow. The first time I high centered it on some snowmobile trails, which was understandable. The second time was yesterday. I was in about 4 inches of snow and some mud with the nose of the car at a slight decline. I got the car out, but when I engaged the clutch it slowly came out. It's like it just had enough power to get out. I've got the 2.2 engine but it seemed to me it should've gotten out easier than that. Is there something else going on, or is the car that underpowered?

andyjo, Are you saying that using seafoam on the vaccum lines would help gas mileage?? I know enough about cars to do basic - and i mean BASIC - maintenance. I put seafoam in the tank but I've heard about putting it in other places but part of me is freaked out by the prospect, especially when I hear about all the smoke pouring out of the tailpipe! This issue is still going on - went to the mountains and got 25 up, 32 back. In town this week I'm at about 18 or 19. I've NEVER owned a car that yo-yo'd so much on the gas mileage! I used a tank of shell and hasn't seemed to make any difference - only in my wallet. Still open to suggestions.

Jamal, Thanks so much, man! You guys are great!

Maybe this will help my mpg's?? Can someone give me a step-by-step instruction (pictures?) on how to do this on a 1996 obw? Many thanks!