jchipper

UPDATE: I took it to the dealership yesterday because of the Recall for emissions, it won't pass smog untill the ECM is reprogrammed, anyway while it was in there I had them do the coolant pressure check, looks like there is a really small leak in the bottom of the Rad, and both HG's are leaking externally slow drip, also the both HG's are leaking a small amount of oil, (after the 3,000 mile drive across the US i didn't notice hardly any difference in oil level ) so it's a pretty minor leak ATM. they said conditioner won't help, but i bought some anyway and am going to try it. The repair quote is for $2,300! but that quote also includes a rear break job, heads machined, timing belt, Rad, water pump, and spark plugs. they also said the transmission fluid is dirty and needs to be flushed, as well as the rear and front diff oil and break oil is discolored. $489 to do the fluids! Wow! so at the moment I am going to put some conditioner in and drive it and see what happens, taking it on a 1400 mile round trip to SanDiego today, taking extra coolant and oil with me so hope all goes well

i don't think it has a filter mount oil cooler I'll check the upper rad hose again but I believe it was dry

i just ran across this https://secure.steelseal.com/index.php/t14?gclid=CLaxiumtoLQCFQtxQgodHF0AlQ anyone heard of or had any experience with it?

as some of you know I just purchased a 2008 outback from PA and drove it to CA, a week ago it was getting hot on me at low idle so I checked the coolant and it took about 3 quarts of coolant, so today I changed the oil and checked the coolant again and it was low, about a pint, so I started the car and started looking for the leak, I found a drip (about 1 drip every 5-10 seconds) by the oil filter, passenger side head, front corner, can't tell for sure if it is coming from behind the plastic shroud or from the bottom of the head/block seam. any suggestions? besides a head gasket job? what are your thoughts on stop leak, I've never used the stuff and don't really want to either. but I just bought the car like 2 weeks ago I really don't want to do a head job on it right now........ Thanks Jonathon BTW the Car is 2008 outback, 2.5 non turbo with 150,000 miles Edit: No bubbles in the coolent, so I believe it's just a external leak not leaking exhaust gas into the coolant

That sounds like a good idea, ordered the service manual from ebay, when I get it I can check out the wiring diagrams and see how this is put together.

Yeah I agree, would like to have only the lighter plug on that's it

is there a way to make any of the Lighter Plugs always hot even with the Key off. would be nice to have a least 1 always hot plug for charging cell phones etc... but I don't want to do massive re-wiring, even the plug in the trunk shuts off with the key.

Well made it home Monday around noon, great weather driving home except for a couple hours in Utah, hit a little snow, but other then that it was a good drive just a little over 3,000 miles. I have to average it out still but got anywhere from 21.5-28.5 MPG depending on speed. I still don't like the side to side sway though, I have a appointment with the dealer, they need to flash the ECM so it will pass CA emissions and while they have it they are going to do a inspection of the car, see if they find anything.

Update: I picked up the Car Today and am on my way back to CA, in Ohio tonight, So far so good everything checked out except for a couple of things that I noticed before I paid for it but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. There is a viberation when you apply the brakes, I bought new Rotors and Pads will change that out in the parking lot of the hotel tomorrow before I hit the road The battery is on the weak side and will need to be replaced before to long. When I go over bumps on the highway I don't like how it handles seems to kind of sway side to side a little I don't know if that's just how this car handles or if it's something with the suspension of this particular car. Other then that it's a great car really like it a lot! sure a upgrade from my 90 Legacy wagon and for a car with 148,000 Miles can't really complain gotta expect to do some work to it. Can't expect it to be a new car

Thanks guys for the comments, also forgot to note that it was August when this the high temp happened, so maybe he was idling with A/C on and low coolent causing the engine to work harder, could also be that the A/C fan did not come on or something

Just got off the phone with the owner, here's the rundown Moible 1 Synthic oil changed every 15,000 miles Once in a while at low speeds going around a corner when he stepped on the gas there was a clunk, didn't happen very often timing belt changed at 100k miles nothing major done to the car just breaks and oil now here's what worries me: 1 week before he traded it in he was sitting in a parking lot idling and he noticed the temp guage go up the the red so he started driving and it went back to normal. and a week later traded it in but it didn't do it again. could that be a t-stat? or more serious like water pump or Head Gaskets? Jonathon

Small World I'll let you know how it goes when I get it, it'll get tested on the 3,000 mile drive to CA

lol that's a good thought I saw his license #, but I really like your logic, it makes sense! I'll call him in the morning Thanks!

Great Idea did a search and found his phone #. still haven't decided if I should call him or not. he might be upset

Thanks! I'll be sure and check that out