Olnick

Cut cookie some slack, Gnuman--he's the impatient type.

((Drumroll)) And that decision is . . . ?!!

Did Imps have 2.2s in '93?

Ah, yes! The wonderful and amazing things you learn on this board!

Just so I can better understand: Even with the hot oil smell the car was NOT exhibiting any of the problems you now have--noise, rough running, vibrations? If that's the case I'd give them one more chance to make good. If they put you off again call Subaru and talk to the Regional Rep (and don't be shy about letting the dealership know that's what you intend to do.) You deserve satisfaction, either with the operation of the car or with their explanation. And it doesn't sound like the latter's going to happen!

Only advice I can offer is stand your ground, be pleasant but persistent. You know your car better than anyone, even a mechanic on a short test drive. Sounds like you're a long time Subaru owner. How long have you had this car? Did you buy it from that dealership? Talk to the Service Manager, explain your concerns just as you laid them out here for us. If he doesn't offer any help, ask to speak to the Manager (or Owner) of the dealership. If that doesn't help, call Subaru of America and contact the Regional Rep for your area. You paid your money, you deserve satisfaction. Just stand up for your rights. Good luck--and let us know how it goes.

Was going to suggest you search but, wow, that pulls up a lot of vaguely related stuff! Here are a coupla' threads that may help. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40494 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34734 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=33198 Good luck.

Does it come in one of those cute little cans you can put on your dash?

Add to that the intelligence to choose a "thinking person's car."

NorthWet . . . was that you I saw walking out of a Holiday Inn Express the other day?

Did you clean and re-grease the sliders when you had the calipers loose? I was shocked a few months back when I replaced my pads--bottom sliders were bone dry. Made a huge difference in lessened rolling resistance afterward, in fact my mpg even improved a bit!

So . . . what's a PR?

Yay! There's happiness in Iceland. Way to go, Boddi!

Steve--regardless of how you eventually solve it, suggest you call the dealer ASAP just to get it "on the record" that there is a problem. Good luck.

Hey, I got it! EJ18: good. EJ22: better. EJ25 . . . whoops.

Just an off-the-wall thought, but could it be your power steering pump?

Thanks for the clarification, JohnnyB.

The wonderful 2.2! That was my thought too. But didn't the '96 Outback have a higher CR or something requring premium fuel?

And, since that's what the code said that's the very first thing you should do. Can make a tremendous difference in your engine's operation. IIRC our '95 Legacies have just one temp sensor--it talks to the computer then the computer tells the temp gauge what to read. Yes, it's a bit of a pain to get to but it is doable. Get a Haynes manual to point you in the right direction. Try to find a friend who has some wrenching ability. Go to an independent shop if you have to. Ask questions here. But by all means replace the coolant temperature sensor. It's $30 well spent. Good luck.

Common wisdom is definitely install an auxiliary ATF cooler.

Way to go, mrCharlie--sometimes it just takes persistence and stick-to-it-iveness! But the reward is, as the commercial says, priceless! And there's nothing quite like a Subie doing what it's supposed to do . . . run well.

Way to go, cookie!

Hi, Gene. (I just love saying that--it sounds so . . . clean!) How many miles on your car? How does it smell like it's running rich--raw gas smell or excess exhaust smell? Have you checked for codes? Might consider replacing your fuel filter if it hasn't been done in awhile. PCV valve too. Also might need to replace the engine coolant temperature sensor and/or the O2 sensor. But I'd start by checking (with an OBDII scanner) for any stored codes. That might point you to a specific problem. Good luck.

Wheally?

And I'll third that. Just use the basic NGK copper plug and save money. There's absolutely nothing wrong with them. The only reason they recommend the fancy metal ones is because they supposedly last longer. Welcome to the board, mblotz.