sjbien

i don't know what i think of the piston slap issue. two years ago i bought a 2001 OB with 97k and it had a loud tap when starting. the dealer said not to worry, they all sound that way. 25k later the tap got worse, a misfire developed and, to make a long story short, i found i had a blown HG and a toasted cylinder, scored and burned. the mechanic who tore it down thought the news was typical and surprised by how awful the cylinder looked. so was that cylinder talking to me all along? i am now driving a rebuilt 2.5 and there is no tap whatsoever when cold. so is this piston slap the real thing or a myth. should it prompt an owner to at least check compression? or drive it until the problem declares itself?

my 2001 ej 25 is just back on the road after a head gasket failure that did not involve coolant leak, only an external oil leak. its easy to see the area of burned oil near the manifold. and now that it is fixed a funny smell is gone too. so, keep an eye on engine temp, coolant, and oil levels, and save some money. good luck S

i recently had 2001 legacy engine replaced - another story - and the repair bill includes 2 catalytic converters along with an oxygen sensor. there was a blown head gasket and oil going out my exhaust as part of the trail of woes. one item is listed as a direct fit converter ($186) and the other is simply a catalytic converter ($210). The direct fit converter has "e diagnostic part installation" underneath. anybody know what all this means?

1996 legacy 199k and going strong. everything original except clutch. my other subaru, 2001 w 134k, just had its gasket go.

before i bought my 2001 subaru i thought the boxer engine was a reliable proven engine. now, having just getting head gaskets replaced and a new engine because a cylinder flamed out (ring failure, scored cylinder and piston) at 130k miles i'm beginning to wonder. this car, at least since 94k when i got it, has been very well cared for and moderately driven. so, how reliable are those boxers? i know they are well known for head gasket failures but i didn't expect more than that.