Anyone...I'm calling on the Subaru community to help me with this.
Bought 98 Outback with just under 100k last month. Check engine light came on and flashing (on the way home!) and flashes only when car is driven over 3200 RPM. Took to dealer svc, says car has new engine and clutch (didn't know this before), adjusted valves on driver's side of engine (they recommended) b/c the code said the #4 cylinder was misfiring.
Later, light came on and flashed again when driven over 3200 RPM (again on the way home from shop!), now the code says #4 is misfiring again and #3 as well. Dealer svc said car is running lean which is causing misfire in cylinders. They do not know what to replace to fix the problem, could be O2 sensor or computer or fuel injectors....etc.
Took to another dealer svc and they recommended fixing valves on other side of engine and then repairing valves that were already adjusted on driver's side of engine b/c they were thrown out of whack again by the ones being out of whack on the side that was not aligned the first time. Also, they said there were no signs of the engine being new at all! Huh?!
I don't know what to do! If the engine is not new and still under 100k, is it covered (98 year model) in the recall on leaking head gaskets if it had that repair? Wasn't the "repair" just an additive to the coolant? I remember asking the first dealer if there had been any recalls on this car and if they had been fixed, and also remember he said there were 2 and they had both been repaired.
Car is running lean (for sure?) b/c the tailpipe has a little carbon build up. Also, the car is only getting about 16.5 miles/gallon on the highway. Which seems strange given it's running lean, or so they say. I wonder if the timing belt has been changed, any way to tell? Would an old and worn out belt affect gas mileage?
The car is NOT having trouble starting, not hesitating, not running/idling rough, not losing power at any speed, not backfiring, not blowing smoke, and not giving any general signs of a blown head gasket.
Has anyone heard of such a problem before? PLEASE tell me if you can help. I'm in way over my head here, only bought a Subaru b/c of their good reputation, now it seems that's not the case. Wish I had found this forum sooner.
In terms of damage being done further to the engine, is it safe to drive it as long as it's driven at less than 3200 RPM when the light flashes?
