[Carfax - Volvo Cross Country or Outback Limited, Which to buy?]

Hello Everyone,

 

It's been about 7 months since I wrecked my Subaru and I am finally in the position to look for another one. I have been looking at two options, I found a 2002 Outback Limited with a little over 100k for $8995. I like the styling, but know that the head gaskets usually create a problem. With that in mind, I looked a 2002 Volvo v70xc Cross Country with 96k for $8995. It is super nice and the interior build quaility is high. So being torn, I am looking for your input. Any recommendations? Also, if anyone has a carfax account, it would be a super help if you could run the VIN's

 

Volvo - YV1SZ58DX11011130

Subaru - 4S3BH686327601927

 

Thanks guys!

[Carfax?]

Well,

 

I am finally thinking about replacing my wrecked soob. So I have located a 2000 Outback Limited for $5995. If someone out there has carfax, would you mind doing a check for me. It would be greatly appreciated.

 

The VIN# 4S3BH6864Y7673714

 

Thanks,

Jon

[My Crash in the Soob.]

It's so easy to give advice of what to do when a large animal is in your path, but reflexes tend to take over and thinking back to what someone told you to do doesn't typically occur. The typical reflex is to avoid, which is the case here.

!

 

You are right on the mark with this statement....It is common knowledge to always hit the damn animal. However, it's also a common reaction to swerve.... Guess it depends on the driver though.

[My Crash in the Soob.]

Probably would have been cheaper to hit the deer. Next time jerk the wheel and e-brake so you smack the vermin with the side so they don't come up over the hood.

 

GD

I should have, I passed 7 more deer on the way back home...Just a week before I bought those stupid animal deterrent things to put on the bumper, cost me $8.....those things suck!..should ask for my money back!...lol.....(Look at the pic, they are still on it)

[My Crash in the Soob.]

Check it out guys and gals.....On my way to work, I managed to miss a small dog on the side of the road. About 1 mile later a deer jumps out, I missed the deer but lost control and hit a concrete bridge wall around 55mph. Thank God Subarus are made well.....or this would have really hurt!

 

I cant afford the fix, So keep an eye out, it will soon be a great parts car.

 

**Check out my photos**

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

Yes, that kit sounds like it has all the gaskets and seals you need to R&R the valve covers.

 

 

Those are the seals that go over the valve cover bolts to prevent oil from leaking out through the bolt holes. They look similar to the washers in my first pic above.

 

Awsome! I will order that kit! ...USMB is always here to help,THANKS!!!!!

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

No it is not necessary to drain the engine oil before removing the valve cover gaskets. You will get a little bit of oil coming out but not much. Draining the engine oil will make no difference. Obviously do not start or crank the engine with the valve covers off or then you will get oil spilling out.

 

I forgot to mention, optionally wash/spray the areas around the valve covers, and definitely blow out with compressed air, before removing the valve covers. Otherwise all kinds of little pieces of grit and stuff will get in there when you take the valve covers off.

 

If you're changing the oil, I would do it after the job is completed.

 

 

Subaru dealer who sells parts online; there are many - example: http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_partdetail.php?partid=3497

 

Thanks for all your input, I went to the web address above and they have a kit ($55) that says it comes with:

 

VALVE COVER GASKET SET WITH 10 GROMMETS AND 4 SPARKPLUG TUBES FOR 1999-2001 2.2 & 2.5RS ALL (for both sides) (item A twice)

 

Does this cover everything I need? This is going to be a rookie question....but what are grommets...lol?

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

And those sealing washer things that go over the valve cover bolts.

 

Where can I find these....or what do I ask for at the auto store?

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

Seems like a tight squeeze to be working in that area. Are there any specials tools that I might need? I am going to attempt to do this on my own. It seems like a good learning experience. This might be a dumb question, but I do need to drain the oil out... right?.....well its over due anyways...so might as well..If it wasnt for USMB I would be lost all the time. Thanks guys....oh one last question....got any recommendations of where to order the gasket set?

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

REALLY easy to fix. it's just a cap, a round-ish piece bolted to the back of the motor. remove it, replace o-ring and reinstall. nothing fancy about it. someone seems to suggest your 99 does not have this cam cap though, so you may not have it. a quick peak would verify, i don't have a 99 to look at. it's probably the valve cover or this cam cap (if you even have it). you could try snugging up the valve cover bolts on the bottom a bit, that may snug it up enough to stop the leak. just don't go crazy on it, keep in mind it's a mostly aluminum engine.

 

you're from somerset, KY? not many soobs out that way, i bought my OBS from there! do you know Huck?

 

It is rare to find a subaru in these parts, however my new neighbor has a baja and I want it so bad.

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

Boy was it easy to spot once I cleaned the engine up. Sure enough it's the Valve cover gasket. I am going to replace it soon. Is this a do it yourself kind of job, or one better left for professionals? Should I just replace both driver and passenger sides or just the one leaking?

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

Whats seals or gaskets are in this general area that could cause this?

 

Valve cover gasket + grommets

Rear cam cover (a bolt in plug there is an "O" ring)

 

Ok,

I will check the valve cover when I clean the engine. Where exactly is the Rear cam cover (a bolt in plug there is an "O" ring) located? Is it easy to replace?

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

Yea, it's oil. I go though about a half quart of oil every 4000k miles. I checked the oil pan and timing belt cover, everything up there seems clean as a whistle. It is mostly located to the rear passenger side. It's a little messy, so I cant really see where it is coming from exactly. However, I am going to try and use engine cleaner and get it cleaned up a little better. Whats seals or gaskets are in this general area that could cause this?

[2.2 Oil Leak Passenger Side. What to look for?]

I have a small oil leak on the passenger side of my 99 Subaru Impreza OBS. It seems to leak onto the exhaust because you can see the smoke from it. I am not to familiar with checking seals and gaskets. Is this normal for these types of engines? If so, any suggestions of what and where to look at? The car has 213,000k miles on it. It doesn't seem to have any other issues, so I am hoping that this will be a cheap and easy fix....however, am prepared for the worst. Oh yea, it's an automatic.

 

Thanks guys.....

[2001 Chrysler 300M or 2004 Chevy Aveo 5]

I am thinking of buying a new car. I have narrowed it down to two prospects and now I would like some input if possible. I need to know what to look for when test driving and what to ask when at the dealership. Please help if you can.

 

The first car is 2001 Chrysler 300M with 83k miles. Its automatic w/autostick feature. Its seems to be a very nice car, well taken care of. It has all the options like pw, pl, sunroof, cruise control, leather.What I am curious about is if there are any known problems with these vehicles? Whats the average lifespan?

 

NEXT!

 

The second is a 2004 Chevy Aveo 5 Hatchback with 33k miles. It is a 5speed. It seems to be a plain car. No power options. However it does have cruise control. I am not sure of the reliability of these cars since they are made in korea. The low miles is something I am looking for, however I need it to be reliable. Have any thoughts?

[Help! Carfax]

If anyone has a cafax account. I am looking into purchasing a 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited Wagon 4D. The guy is asking $2995. I have not gone through the threads yet, but is there anything I should ask when I travel to see this car. It is about 150 miles away from where I live in Southern KY. Anyways that's beside the point. If someone could check this VIN for me. It would be so greatly appreciated.

 

The VIN# 4S3BG685XW6654811

 

Here is the link. Tell me what ya think?

http://www.automart.com/vehicledetail/adid-58593544/1998/subaru/legacy/louisville/ky

 

Jon.

[P0136 Code Question]

First off...Thanks for your help...this site is awsome.... Here is the deal, I went to the "Zone" and got the exact codes that my CEL was giving. It gave a Knock Sensor Malfunction Bank 1 and then it gave me the

"P0136" Code for the Rear O2 Sensor. Should I change the rear 02 sensor first, since that is the code that was showing, or should I change the front O2 Sensor?

 

I thought I read somewhere that one reason for the computer giving the rear O2 sensor malfunction was because it was actually the front sensor causing the problem.....Is that a possibility?

 

Any input would be great.

 

Thanks

JMF

[O2 Sensor, Canada vs Non Canada What does this mean?]

Thanks for your help.... I went to the "Zone", got the exact codes that the CEL was giving. It gave a Knock Sensor Malfunction Bank 1 and then it gave me the

"P0136" Code for the Rear O2 Sensor. Should I change the rear 02 sensor first, since that is the code that was showing, or should I change the front O2 Sensor?

 

I thought I read somewhere that one reason for the computer giving the rear O2 sensor malfunction was because it was actually the front sensor causing the problem.....Is that a possibility?

 

Any input would be great.

 

Thanks

JMF

[O2 Sensor, Canada vs Non Canada What does this mean?]

I am sure this is probably an easy question for some. How do you know when purchasing an O2 Sensor which to buy? I always see Canada or Non Canada...aswell as California Specs or Non California. I have 1999 Subaru OBS 2.2. I am getting ready to put it in the shop for a new front O2 sensor. I am going to buy the Bosch Universial Sensor( Good Idea?). I am doing this because I am having a shop install it and it saves me money and I wouldn't no the first thing about changing one. Any Advice would be great.

 

Thanks

Jonfit04

[How do you know if it is a "Cal spec" Subaru?]

How do you know if your subaru is a "Cal Spec" car.

I am looking to buy an O2 Sensor and their are two front O2 sensors avaliable on http://www.subarupartsforyou.com

 

1. OXYGEN SENSOR FRONT, IMPREZA 1999 ALL 2.2 & 2.5 WITHOUT CAL SPECS (item E) (only for vehicles with 2 sensors, this one is in the front cat) $109.00

 

2. OXYGEN SENSOR FRONT, FOR IMPREZA 2.2 1999 cal specs only (item E) (only for vehicles with 2 sensors, this one is in the front cat)

$159.00

 

Is there a way to determine which one I would need to buy, where should I look for this info.

 

Thanks

J.F.

[Quick 02 sensor Question]

Hi Jon! After you replace the sensor (or during the work) you could just disconnect the battery for a while. Then the ECU will have to relearn all parameters and short and long term fuel trim, etc. Even if you don't disconnect the battery it will eventually adjust all these things by itself anyway.

 

The general suggestion on this board is to buy a genuine original equipment Subaru front O2 sensor rather than any aftermarket type. The genuine can be had online for maybe $90-100 or less depending on model.

 

If the sensor still seems tight after all the pbblaster sometimes running the engine for a minute or so helps free it up as the exhaust begins to warm.

 

Excellent choice on planning to stay with Subaru's for a long time. I think you'll find them a relatively easy vehicle to work on with things layed out thoughtfully with service in mind unlike many other makes. The only sort of weird problem I have sometimes is that not enough goes wrong with them to satisfy my desire to work on them.

 

Thanks for the information, I was wondering, I dont want to unhook the battery because of the keyless entry system. I dont have a working remote, dont need those lights going off on me again. If I just hook the connection up and install, will it run ok or will I have a rough engine to deal with until it learns the new sensor.

Thanks again

Jon

[Quick 02 sensor Question]

When Changing the front 02 sensor on a 1999 Imp OBS. I have heard that you have to let the ECU recogonize the new sensor. This is going to be my first time changing a 02 sensor. I plan on letting it soak in pbblaster and then removing it. I am going to buy the direct replacement not the universal 02 sensor. As far as I understand. I just take the old one out and replace it with the new and hook up the connections. Is there anything that I need to do so the ECU will pick up the new sensor. I have never really done much auto work, I am only 20yrs old. So I am still trying to learn. I plan on being a subaru owner for a long time, I just want to thank everyone on this site, because I have learned so much and I am able to come here with any questions and find answers. THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!

 

Jon

[99 Impreza outback sport]

Going to look at cars today-

one of them on my list is a 99 impreza outback sport-

I'm familiar with the old ea81 and ea82 suby's but was wondering on the reliability and longevity I can expect from the 2.2l in the 99'. It's got 89,167 miles, the five speed, and they are asking $7k for it (dealer).

Thanks:headbang:

I have a 99 OBS. It has just hit 196,000 miles. it needs a o2 sensor changed. other than that its held up well. I have only owned it for about 6 months, but the previous owner had it serviced always. so it has great service records. I purchased it for about $3995.

[Symptoms of a Bad O2 sensor]

Can, anyone tell me what would be some symptoms of a bad Front O2 sensor?

 

Thanks

Jona

[Low Fuel Light???]

The caps lock button is the one right next to the 'a' button.....

 

Do a search about the gauges, this topic has been covered many many times.

THANKS!