friendly_jacek

Its all semantics. If you read these above definitions, they are not entirely correct either. The following part from the above 4WD "definition" is exactly what Subaru calls AWD in its AT cars: "Some performance cars have full-time variable four-wheel drive and use a computer-controlled transfer case to route power between the wheels."

Just a thought: Since this solenoid fails from time to time, why is it hidden inside the case? I would be very convinient to have it outside the case IMHO.

Leaky injector should be easy to diagnose by: 1. significant fuel in oil, 4-5% or more. 2. fuel pressure disappearing after shutting down. 3. car hard to start when hot engine (flooded). Have you looked into the the gas evaporation system? Can you pinpoint where the smell is coming from by the lighter test (just kidding!). I vagely remember that some recent batches of subarus had engine compartment gas leaks from rubber lines loosing seal when very cold. There was a TBS but not a recall. Is your problem temp dependent?

I also use synth ATF (mobil 1), It's the manual tranny that is fussy about synth oil.

OBD2 scanner will show engine coolant temp independently from your tem gauge. It should be 180-212 or so. Check it out before driving more as you might be overheating the engine.

This tatally makes sense as someone showed experimental proof that air left behind in subaru engine leads first to overheat, second to warped head and third to headgasket leak. Many of the HG problems could just be neglected air in coolant problems. The good news is that the newer subarus are easier to burp.

Actually, sometimes O2 sensors are cheaper at the dealer than aftermarket. Why do I know? I paid once $150 to learn later that dealer had one for $60.

Please search for torque binding as someone described similar problem recently.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not shocked by the dealer's response. They don't call them stealerships for no reasons...

I would vote for tranny filter change. It worked for someone here.

You can always google the code. Most of them are universal.

Check out IQue3600 or IqueM5 auto navigation bundle by Garmin. Perfect navigation with all the maps, voices, bells and wistles and doubles as great PDA. You can get a new one for $300 on ebay. Bought 2 IQue3600s (one for my wife) and love it!

Agree, its like having a license plate: SMLL PNS

To add to the discussion, several weeks ago I called BFG and was told that the traction T/A tire is LRR rated. I guess I believe that for 2 reasons: the tread is silica based and it is OEM tire on one of the korean SUVs (forgot which). As you all know, OEM tires are usually LRR to help with CAFE and this is why most OEM tires suck.

Thanks! I spent hours on tire rack reading review. The thing with TT is that either people love them or hate them. This is why I asked.

I'm currently considering BFG traction T/A. What was wrong with them in your opinion? Also, what is so great about Triple Treads? For the record, I currently have potenza RE 950. Nice and queit tires in dry and wet but extremally slipery in ice.

I noticed that unburned gas smell in my legacy too on first starts in AM. It is coming from exhaust and not from fuel system. That is why I believe the car runs too rich. Yet, everything checks OK. I belive that the fueling in 2000-2003 subarus is out of whack. Whether the mixture is set too rich, the fuel pressure too high, or A/F ratio sensors lie I have no idea. Notice that the MPG in newer Subarus is better IIRC.

Only the front A/F ratio sensor, even though the OBD2 software I use indicated that the sensor worked fine. I didn't touch the rear one since again, no indication of malfunction and the rear one just makes sure the cat is working and doesn't change fueling, as far as I understand. You might find it interesting that I replaced fuel pressure regulator because the fuel pressure was ~10PSI above norm. The kick is that with a brand new one is it still several PSI above specs (tested with and without vaccum line). I'm not sure how to experiment with fuel pressure short of getting variable pressure regulator.

Nope, nothing helped. I should also add that I replaced O2 sensor and fuel pressure regulator to no avail. The only good news is that if I decided to replace the legacy with anything else capable of pulling the boat I have, the MPG would go south.

I'm so much burnt on dealerships, I avoid them at all cost. I do service myself, and double check levels if i let any "certified mechanics " touch my car.

I have a 2000 legacy, my first and last Subaru. Zooma covered it all very well.

You pressures are indeed out of whack but doubt if it has any bearing on the MPG issue. Currently I keep pressure in my legacy at 40/40 and have about the same MPG more or less. Interestings, tire pressure is by far most common advice given for MPG problem but is least likely to affect the MPG, at least in my experience. Is someone doubled MPG by doubling PSI, please let me know! BTW, i invested a lot of time and money in troubleshooting my poor MPG (18/24 city/hwy) to conclude that some cars are good and some are bad concerning MPG. Also, some people have lead food, but that is a secondary issue. The highly touted saving by increasing PSI or going to synth (aka low viscosity) oils give marginal results only, as I tried both with no results. One more thing: some people swear by the FWD fuse, but it is bogus, too. Also, forget ECU resets, grounding mods and similar nonsense. Been there.

No, it's not boxer thing, H6 has a chain. The manufacturers went to belts sometime in 70-80's due to less stretch in belts vs chains. Supposedly queiter too, but a minor thing. The move back to chains in the 90-00's is to prolong service intervals and increase reliability. Subaru went back to chain in H6 for mere space savings.

You mean the brain damage part? But seriously, what smell are you talking about: sulfur? burning oil? unburn gas? You know, exhaust gases don't smell a lot in good running car.

As this is non-turbo, you will be wasting money on synthetic. Besides, the oil leak with become worse. As for missing parts, find internet dealers taking subaru bucks and start using subaru credit card. With 3% back you will have the parts for free soon.