amyksh

Sorry for the late reply...got the driveline removed by the mechanic, drove it to Rockford driveline, they replaced both u-joints, (only made sense) and had it re-installed. All together cost about $200. Thanks everyone for your help.

Please help me, I have an 05 Subaru Outback XT ltd (turbo with automatic trans). Mechanic is telling me that they don't replace just the u-joint, only the entire drive train. Can I get a used one at a junkyard? If I do, can I replace just the u-joint part or what? Subaru want $899 for this part. Aftermarket $649.. What should I pay? I don't know if I plan to keep the car -140k miles.its got a lot of pep! So, they tell me I shouldn't drive it, bc if it breaks it could screw up everything! Any advice would be appreciated!

Help, when I have the heat on in my car, and I come to a stop, the car smells like burnt oil in the cabin. A friend told me it might be the head gasket as subarus have this problem... 130k automatic turbo... ANY THOUGHTS OR EXPERIENCES RELATED TO THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

Code came up for the third time for Idle Air Control Valve, seems to be an intermittent problem, but I have noticed almost a gurgling sputter for some time, off and on, anyway. So I have read some posts about cleaning this valve, ultimately replacing... any ideas? Idle seems to be jumping and racing at a stoplight... vibration is a bit much. Any ideas, part is around $350... or junk yard?? Any advice is appreciated...

Thanks, I really need specifics... have the plugs, wires on order... FINDING A good subaru mechanic is more difficult that one would think, I have posted and sent messages to the people who live near me on here... I am between Rockford, IL and Chicago, IL... Funny thing is---this is my 2nd Subaru, and I have had the BEST of luck and NO engine problems until now... I love my subaru...LOVE. Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it---currently scouring for a good subaru engine mechanic...

Thanks, good idea!

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=121625 check it out, sadly, it's my nightmare... or search my user name to get the most recent... amyksh

Ok, so took the car to a trusted family mechanic, who seems to understand that a Subaru engine can be tricky to work on. After inspection, he tells me that he is almost 100% certain that I have warped a cylinder. He inspects wires and plugs and says they look like new. He tells me that the subaru has a zero tolerance timing belt, and if it is not installed exactly perfect...when you start the vehicle, a cylinder will be damaged. (He went into a lot more detail, about pistons and floating and such) The idle is set artificially high at 1800rpm, which he believes the mechanic may have done to mask the bad cylinder. He said if it is set at normal...it would shake like crazy... He told me that if it were his shop to make this mistake, he would fix it, which would be a valve job. He also said it may need the IAC valve... He said to take it back to the first shop, for the 3rd time, and give them a chance to fix it. I told him about my lack of confidence, but he said they deserved a shot. So, I take the car to them... The owner comes out and I tell him I have taken the vehicle to another shop and determined that he has ruined my engine, that the timing belt was not installed correctly, and that a cylinder is misfiring due to this, and the vehicle needs a valve job now. He starts screaming that he is not going to put another penny into my vehicle, and I am just trying to scam him. I ask him if this behavior is really how he wants to respond to my concern, and I tell him, that if it is he should be aware that I will be disputing the credit card charges in their entirey, due to his lack of concern and cooperation, and the impending bill to fix my vehicle. He screams that he will sue me and put a lien on my vehicle. I simply say "WHAT VEHICLE?" and get in my car and drive away. Beware of a shop that truly doesn't stand behind their work. Here I am sitting with a vehicle that cannot be driven far without possible further damage and failure, agonizing over fixing a few oil leaks... Any advice, friends?

Thanks, I'll look you up later in the year, just gotta get this thing fixed right, really struggling on this last "fix".

How difficult to replace wires and plugs on this model? I ordered the wires from the dealer, and got the NGK plugs... FYI- First code is P0304-Cylinder 4 misfire detected. Second code is P0507 Idle control system RPM higher than expected. I have replaced wires and plugs on other vehicles... I looked at it, and it looks a little tight. Also, do I have to gap the plugs? If so, where do I find the gap dimension? Also, since I have the plugs, should I replace those right away, or should I wait until Tuesday, when I get the OEM wires? Thanks so much for you help... this is the greatest forum EVER!

I have the slips from the AUTOZONE computer diagnostic: They are as follows: 1. Cylinder 4 misfire detected. 2. Idle control system RPM higher than expected. This hurts... for whatever it's worth, I got the old timing belt back and it was in mint condition... SHOULD HAVE NEVER TOLD THEM TO REPLACE. Ouch again.

Thanks SO MUCH for your quick reply!