sdfarmgirl

Thanks all. Took it in to the dealer an hour away and replaced a "knock sensor" as that was what the code indicated on their equipment. I must admit I haven't been a very good friend to my car... they showed me my belts looked like they'd give up the ghost any day... so I had those replaced as well. Now she accelerates better than the day I drove her off the lot! They said the smell sounds like an oil leak as well... but I forgot to ask them if they looked for it! I think I'll park over some paper in the garage tonight and see what I can find! I read that one shouldn't put generic spark plugs in, just from the dealership... does that go for spark plug wires too? I figure I'll put in a new air filter myself and was thinking I'd just put in new plugs and wires while I was at it... Thanks for all your help! I learn a lot just by reading other's posts!

Hi all, I've been looking for answers lurking for a while but I figure I'll just put it all here. I have a lovely (looks new) 1999 Subaru Legacy Wagon with just over 62,500 miles. Really just a teenager. But in the past 8 months she's been starting to have some minor challenges... I bought the car new in August 1998, carefully did my "break-in" driving by the book on my 500 mile drive home from the dealership. Even in the beginning, I had acceleration problems. It seemed to hesitate and then accelerate. I believe there was a recall that was supposed to fix that, but I've never been convinced. She just doesn't jump to attention when you ask her for a little more. Reminds me of an old horse I used to have... So, here are all the issues I've been saving up. Sorry to be so wordy. 1. I smell burning rubber when I get out of the car after driving it for a while. Seems to be coming from under the hood... 2. In March, the battery was leaking white battery corrosion all over the top of the battery... I think it actually froze in some -20 weather. And it wouldn't start occasionally... I even saw smoke coming from under the hood. I bought a new battery, but still saw smoke. 3. I took it to a local mechanic/body shop and they said it was the alternator and so I replaced it for just under $300. They said that would fix the burning rubber smell... it didn't. 4. The "check engine light" came on in April and I took it back to the same mechanic who put the meter on it and it said "O2 or other sensor" not a very definitive answer. Mechanic said it was likely "bad gas" reset the sensor and it has come on and gone off every week since then. It has some acceleration issues and actually has not had great gas mileage, though with two small boys, I haven't actually measured the gas mileage. I've been runing mid-grade fuel in it, which in SD means 10% locally produced ethanol... 5. I've been noticing oil drips on the floor of the garage... and at the last oil change they said it was a quart low. So, what should I do? Take it to the nearest dealer and turn it over to them? The check engine light was on today. Might be off tomorrow. I never know!:-\ Thanks for any advice you care to offer.