ThosL

I have always shied away from car dealers because they are usually the most expensive. I stopped at one today and they said they would probably be able to zero in on the problem in an hour or an hour and a half. Is this worth doing? I have had a garage do my diagnostics up to this point. Problem is a switch over from a 2.5 to a 2.2 engine with emissions issues and CEL never goes off. Any thoughts on this?

Check engine light has been on the whole time. O2 unit did not come up on the diagnostic by the mechanic. Only map/maf sensor and cat converter and EGR. Would a Subaru dealer be able to do the diagnostic right without charging me $$$? I have brought the Subaru back 3X to J and J without success.

I'd consider a 2.2 engine replacement. The one that a garage put in mine he installed for around $1500 including the engine. It had around 75K on it and was in great shape.

When it was first installed it was extremely fuel efficient, the 2.2 is a much better engine in that regard. Actually when my reserve tank warning light was working, it would let you know when you were 20 or so miles from running out. The best I ever did with a tank, one of the older Subarus I owned was over 500 miles. I also used "Platinum gasaver" which gives the engine a hit of platinum vapors and rhenium gas. Not supposed to work according to the experts but apparently did!

Thanks for the feedback. I will try to get the technical information from J and J and post here. The miles per gallon have been falling since the job was done a couple of years ago. I was at over 440 per tank, we are now lucky to get 360 a tank. J and J said that the garage that did the job, Nuremberg in Lyndonville, VT (South end auto) might be able to help.

Probably. Do you think the mechanic is going to say "maf" if everyone is used to "map" sensor?

The garage just tells me it is coming up as the map sensor even though it has been changed. The state requires a clean check engine light, i.e. not on. Also, they put in a used cat converter which is also coming up on the code. The state grants a waiver on $600 or more of repairs toward emissions.

I had a low mileage 2.2 engine put in my 1999 Legacy Outback, with an original 2.5 engine after going through a head gasket job that brought up the compression to create new problems necessitating another engine. The problem here is I have not been able to pass emissions here in Connecticut. I brought it to J and J which has serviced this vehicle for the duration, but did not put in the used 2.2 engine; that was done by a Subaru repair facility in Lyndonville, VT. We have already spent a lot of time trying to bring the car up to code with parts changing without getting the emissions to pass. Paul says it is an electrical short in the map sensor that would have to be trouble shooted. Does anyone know if these problems are standard with 2.5 to 2.2 conversions and what is the usual successful path on this? Thanks.

Thanks for the information, ladies and gentlemen. I have a '99 Outback--2.5 engine. Head Gasket problem--took out the thermostat, tried to put in two new ones! I tried "Blue Devil" and other other fixit in a bottle and can! I have gotten a number of estimates for the job--prices ranged from $850 to $1300 and more. Mechanic says he can get it in tomorrow for a 2-3 day job. It's a group of local sharp Latin American immigrants who seem to be sharp. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks again for the excellent site, and forgive my request for personal attention on this painful odyssey. I am a loyal Subaru owner.