etc

Yes, I explained that I never have seen the car run, I assumed the engine was probably good but had no way to verify it. Does this parts have enough in parts to cover $600 price? Forgot to say it had leather seats and glass was good. One door was dented.

I got a 2001 Subaru Legacy Outback, 4-cylinder automatic. It was more or less a parts car. I paid $550 for it plus some gas for towing. I mainly got it for the transmission. I figured I could part out the rest of it. I removed the tranny. I have never seen it ran and had it towed. I don't know what the problem was, it turned over but refused to start. Ended up selling the rest of it to a guy for $600 or about what I had in it, with the understanding that it is a parts car and is missing the tranny. He contacts me a week later, saying the 2.5L engine is no good. He says it knocks. I asked him to produce a video and send it to me. He is 1.5 hours away and it's not practical to go see it. He than said it has a span bearing or bent valve and that he has already removed from the recipient vehicle. I ask for proof and he says his word is good enough. He said he feels screwed that it's a $300 car and not $600. I don't really question his credibility but my question is this, how much is a parts 2001 Outback worth, with missing tranny and potentially bad engine? Does the 2.5L develop a knock, and how would a bent valve manifest itself? If the root cause of the car not starting was broken timing belt, this might explain a lot. Furthermore, he refuses to show any proof the engine is bad, and removed it from the vehicle he had it installed in (I am assuming a different car) with no way for me to verify it's no good.

It was tightened as much as possible. It's driveable but needs to be taken apart and fixed right.

I drive it 45 miles every day. The highway is the easy part, once you hit 70 or 80, it just keeps on going. Once warmed up, it's fine in the city too. It will burn through the entire gas tank during that 175 miles though. It's on DC craigslist but only getting tire kickers thus far, and only for parts. I said, I am not ready to part it out yet.

Cosmetically it's so-so. The front bumper is missing some paint, the rear had a minor fender bender (2mph) and is misaligned in places about 1/4 inch. the seats are fine. Carpet could use cleaning. No rust. Virginia car. Rear brakes new, front OK. Axles seem fine. I think 2 of the tires are almost new. It passed inspection last year without issues. The torque bind issue has been fixed. In another time and place I would fix it, but I just don't have the capacity to engage in yet another project.

I am in Rockville, MD. Well, how much do you think is a reasonable price for this? I would think somewhere between 600-900. I can offer a reasonable price but don't want to give it away either. There are some new parts in it, like radiator and the windshield. Plus keep in mind it's in running condition. I have been driving it this week without issues. Put the key in and drive.

Problem is, I don't know how to fix it. I was going to do the Timing belt and the water pump but got overwhelmed, plus I think it was me who broke it in the first place. I tried to loosen the crank pulley bolt, couldn't, gave up on it and then shortly after that, it disintegrated to the condition that it's in now. It ran well before I touched it. So I am not sure it's the fault of the car.

I am kind of fed up with low options of the Brighton wagon, no power anything, no tach, I really want a manual tranny now. If the engine can be salvaged, wouldn't it be better to yank the engine and put it in a low mileage 98 Legacy that needs an engine, and part out the rest. Possible to put that 2.2L into something like this, 98 Outback with blown 2.5L: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-Outback-Wagon-runs-and-drives-needs-repair-AS-IS-/290430410280?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item439f005e28

It has that crank pulley keyway loose, lacks power at low speeds and gets horrible MPG, about 13. So it needs work in that area, plus the Timing belt is way overdue and looks in bad shape. How much can I sell it for vs how much can I part it out for? I don't really want to get involved with shipping as most of the stuff is either heavy and bulky and expensive to ship. Is there enough local market in Maryland (DC area) to part it out to? The enigne is solid otherwise, good compression, the head gasket is fine, etc.

Opinions?

That's what happened to me. I tried to loosen it, gave up. Eventually the crank pulley keyway broken inside, my timing is completely wrong, no power, doesn't move unless warmed up for 10 minutes... apparently when tried to loosen it, I did loosen it just a bit and it went from there.

Well, it comes with engine and tranny...

It's a 2001 OBW with a blown 2.5L, 5 speed, 130K miles. I think 500 probably?

I think the issue is that crank pulley bolt, there were numerous threads on it, including mine. Yes, it's very possible to fix it and if you know how I suppose not a difficult fix. It runs just fine when warmed up, just gets abysmal MPG. I should have it available in a few weeks. Has a new radiator plus I have the OEM water pump/timing belt parts in a box. Sending you a PM.

I thought so too, but OTOH, the engine and the tranny are supposedly pretty low-mile, it's not often that you see under 40K on that year.

I am thinking about taking an engine from wrecked 1999 Impreza with 2.2L (37K miles) and putting it into a 2001 Outback with a blown 2.5L, which needs an engine. Any problems with this swap?

It's definitely an engine issue. I had a mechanic take it apart. Something got loose inside and worn out, causing poor timing. No power while cold and takes 10 minutes to even move at all. Plus 13MPG. I decided I don't really like the Brighton trim level (no tach, power anything, plus I want M/T)

I ultimately decided not to fix it as I want a 5-speed M/T...

1998 Legacy wagon L, 155K miles Has a serious engine problem, basically I need a new engine. Something to do with the crankshaft, it won't even move at all unless warmed up for 10 minutes. Found a low-miles 2.2L engine + tranny (under 40K miles on them) from a wreck for 800 FRNs, worth getting it? It's here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280494787892&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT It's automatic and I would really prefer a manual however for best MPG. But the replacement tranny is very low miles, supposedly.

+1 to that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXTfNoiOGlM Subary Impreza 530WHP drifting through some crazy obstacles into airport.

Hm, HG job is not 'regular maintenance'.

See, my concern is that 2004 and up doesn't show up so much is because they don't yet have the (relatively) high enough miles for this to happen, namely 80K+ miles. Maybe in a few years we will see a flood of those as well.

update - had 2 2.5L in the family, both '99 or '00. NO problems. also have a 2.2L from '98, constant problems with it. Not sure if HG or what. Also the older EA82 (1.8L from '92) - cracked heads. 2.5L is apparently not that bad and 2.2L is apparently not that good. Overall, Fuji heavy industries is so-so on quality, working class people's car.

What year did the Subaru finally address this HG problem on the 2.5L engine, definitively? I heard indication was 2005 and up was trouble-free, but wanted to confirm.