rweddy

96 stick is a 2.2 96 auto 2.5 95 and earlier has 2.2, any legacy.

Is the 96 a 5spd? If so then it has a 2.2, no HG issues. Actually HG failures are around 10-20, not 100 like toyota. Also Toyota still has issues with thier motors, and to get the recall on the 3.0 toyota you had to be orginal owner and under 100k. Most Subaru HG if they do blow blow over 100k.

Until you take them in for service. They have some major issues with their AWD tranny's, drive by wire modules, and heater cores. These are great cars but have some major service issues. Each of these repairs cost around $3k each so the price is the same until you need them fixed. Makes the $1200 HG fix look cheap.

Not just the 02 models, there are issues with all 00-04 Phase II motors. These leak externally instead of internally like phase I but can still be an issue. I work with a lot of subaru owners, car of choice in Colorado, and about 2 of 10 have had HG issues. One was a 01 with 101k the other a 98 with 120k. The net of this is Phase I and II are susceptible to HG failures.

All the 2.5 motors can have HG issues, this is the case for phase I 96-99 or phase II 00-04. You are not safer with one or the other. I personally think the 96-99 are better looking cars than the 2nd generation outback’s. Just use this fact as a bargaining chip when you buy the car. Take what it will cost for replacement off what you pay for the car, then you have this money as insurance. If it happens you are covered, if it does not you have extra money. It really seams like a crap shoot if they will blow or not, it really depends on climate, maintance habits, etc. Considering this is the only real trouble issue with the cars, I consider them to be very reliable great vehicles.

I know Fram are crap, not sure about purolator. Check this out

So has anyone else heard about the Subaru filter shortage? Went to the dealership and they would not sell me any because they said they are down to under 500 and they usually have over 3000 in stock. They said the manufacture had short fall and they were not sure when they would get more?? So on this note doesn’t Wix make the factory filter? Where can I get a Wix made filter? I think Napa sells Wix built but not sure??

Actually that is not true, now they leak externally. My father in laws 03 just blew with 45k.

Not practical to offer a boxer diesel motor? Why not, most all the line now uses the 2.5 so just offer a diesel as an option. We have no choice but to go Hybrid???? Hybrid is a terrible solution. It adds so much to the price of the car, even if gas was $5 gallon, it would take millions of miles to make up the cost. Case in point Toyota Echo vs. Prius. Echo $12,000 gets 40mpg Prius $24,000 gets 55mpg. These are the same car, but the Prius is Hybrid. It would take you millions of miles to make up the additional cost. This is not to mention the fact that you now have a car that can only be serviced by the dealer, the batteries will only last around 5 years and cost $4000-6000 replace. Hybrid is only good for the manufactures and does nothing for the consumer, it is the new vaporware for the auto industry to make more money.

Hybrid's are crap, I want a diesel. They are not worth the extra cost. Read this My 92 legacy got 32mpg, my 96 gets 30, my father in laws 03 gets 28.

Nothing fancy, just metric wrenches, no torx crap like GM.

Side note, isn't a Forester just a raised roof impreza outback sport? I know the forester is based on the impreza not the legacy.

The HG fix would be less than a regular service maintance on a Passat! Be very careful if you buy a VW they have very poor reliability ratings. My sister in law has lots of trouble with hers, and a friend of mine at work just had his motor blow at 60k due to know sludge issue with the motors. Even if you do have a HG go, very unlikely, this is the only issue with these cars.

Also be sure to get OEM water pump.

Thanks, so do you think not using a sealant is causing my leak?

I did my timing belt last week, also did the water pump and pulled off the oil pump. I lock-tightened the screws, replaced the crank seal, and put in the little o ring seal. Put it back in metal to metal with no rtv sealant. It is now leaking a bit from behind the pump, so I read through the factory service manual and they recommend using a sealer on the surfaces. (Should have read this first!) I was going to pull it back apart and put some sealant on it if that is what should be done? Also what type of sealant? Thanks

96-99 2.5 are Phase I DOHC motors. They have HG issues, but it seems to be hit and miss. I have several friends who have close to 200k and no issues, but then my frather in laws 02 blew at 35k. The cost for repair is around $1500 for a shop, less if you do it yourself. Other than the possible HG issue, these are great cars, and you should not have any issues at all.

I agree, I have even seen start leaking at 110k. changing it now will save you a lot of $$ if it goes out because they will have to tear into the front end again and if any fluid gets on the t-belt that will have to be replaced also.

Yes Hi and low, you are drinking.

Thanks. I have already done the t-belt, changed the water pump, sealed up the oil pump but one of these bolts seems to be seeping a bit and do not have a wrench big enough.

Can someone tell me what size the allen bolts are on the bottom of the oil pump? 96 2.2 legacy obw I need to get the correct size socket. Thanks

Or you can unbolt your vise like I did and used it vertically, then bolted it back up.

And when you compress it make sure you do so vertically, not horizontally.

Thanks for the heads up, I did this and drove a few miles and it turned off.

That is the one, I tried to get one from the junk yard but looks like older 2.2 do not have them?? I ended up just putting it back together and will live dangerously!! I figure since older 2.2 and auto do not have this, I can live without it.