Stelcom66

Congrats John and it's great to have helpful. experienced and knowledgeable members on here to help. Although I hope I never have a situation like this I find these threads very interesting to read, or for reference. That's quite a job that would be beyond my and many other's abilities. Great posts by those who helped with advice and files. I can relate to firewood splitting to divert from a project. Great pictures of the cats! I also have several. Speaking of the H6 - has it in fact been retired from production? I assume the 2.4L turbo is it's replacement. There were a couple of other discussions on different sites where disappointment was expressed about the rumor (at the time) of the H6 being retired. I usually hear very good things about that engine.

Holy smokes! What year was the Outback? And getting 235k on the Forester is encouraging. I know someone on here (heartless?) has about 260k+ on her Forester.

The advantage you have is being able to work on them - inexpensively compared to those that don't have the talent to do so. While reviewers call the 4EAT 'archaic'. from what I've read it's maybe more reliable than many other automatics of the era. I know with a torque converter it's almost like having more than 4 speeds. The gen 6 Honda Accord 4 speed automatic has a relatively bad reputation - hence me (finally finding.. far away) buying a 5MT. That, and as mentioned sort of my preference. There's the appeal of Subarus that I can't ignore. Yea they may need some more maintenance than others, but some basic things I can do. I've always changed the oil in the Subarus I've had and those my sons had - even the '95 Legacy without jacking up the car. (Should have kept the 2.2L from that, but was close too 200k miles). IMO they're great winter cars with AWD and heated seats. I don't like leather, and I believe Subaru is the only one to offer heated cloth seats - at least in vehicles about 10 years old which I'd consider.

I also love manual transmissions, but my next vehicle may be an automatic. I've heard clutch bearing failures are somewhat common on older transmissions. I had what I believe was a bad bearing on my '98 Outback based on the noise. I had to have the clutch replaced on my '02 Forester. I'm trying to change my mindset to accept automatics. Plus - if I won the lottery and was able to afford a new sedan or SUV, a manual transmission would be almost impossible to find. Even in the Honda Accord starting in 2021. IMO the first generation Outback is an attractive vehicle, worth putting some money into. Best of luck rebuilding the 2.5L or with a replacement 2.2L.

I was thinking the same - because when flooring it, stays in 3rd gear.

Right, my '86 GL I had was totally different than the '92 Legacy I had. Just for the heck of it I looked on Craigslist for manual transmission Subarus up to year 1994. None to be found around here, or even somewhat beyond here.

Nice find. I had an '86 GL wagon, as stated above also the EA82 body. IMO an attractive design to this day. Being a 91 Loyale I would have thought this would be appropriate for the 1990+ forum where it was originally posted. I think in the 90s the EA82s were called Loyales, not GLs. Mine was a 5 speed manual with a manual 4WD shift on the floor, but I don't recall if it was dual range. I really liked that car. Good choice IMO wanting to covert to a 5 speed manual. If that 3 speed auto is geared similar to my first Subaru, a 1980 DL - you'd be doing maybe close to 3,300 rpm on the highway. I don't know how much as that car had no tach. Congrats and good luck on the project.

I wish I could help technically, but just want to say from the photo I'd agree that car is too nice to give up on. Really nice wheels - and is that a stock Subaru color? I don't think I've seen it before. Makes me miss my 2002.

Yea really - it sprung a leak at the best time. I believe you did or were going to order a radiator. Amazing it didn't blow out during the drive. I know we're talking apples-oranges - but in the early 90s I replaced the radiator in my 1985 GL 4WD that was overheating. That was a lot easier than the one in my truck since the Subaru was a 5 speed manual and didn't have lines from the transmission through it like the truck did.

IMO a very nice looking car. I had a '98 5MT, but the very common green. The blue like this one were/are rare in these parts. I know it's not apples-apples, but I bought a 1999 Honda Accord EX 5MT (settled for one that old since a manual is rare, especially in the EX) in September 2018. Last fall had the brake and fuel lines replaced due to the chemicals used around here to treat roads in winter. I have a company vehicle so it's only driven a few days a week. But the reason I mention it is an advantage you'll have is low taxes, assuming your state taxes vehicles like mine. My Honda just passed emissions.

Oh wow, didn't realize that. The only real drawback of the 4EAT IMO was it's tendency to downshift at the slightest incline. Probably working as designed. For highway driving - at least in the Outbacks of that era, the 4EAT provided a quieter ride. The '99 5 speed manual I had was around 3200 rpm, where the '02 4EAT was around 2600.

Seems like the trend with high mileage Subarus seems to be that they're automatic transmissions. A few H6s on here with well over 200k - and heartless's automatic with around 260K. I've seen a few 200k+ mile Subarus for sale that were 4EATS. I wonder if an automatic is a slight advantage to engine longevity? Maybe the theory that engine RPMs tend to be lower and don't go to extremes that a manual does? Also considering the disengagement and engagement of the manual's clutch may have a bit more impact on an engine. Maybe this is totally false and invalid - just a few observations. I'm not a mechanic, and respect those that are. I'm sort of a manual transmission fanatic. I've had some very unusual vehicles over the years with manuals, those that one may not even realize a stick shift was available. Those include a Dodge Caravan and a Ford Club Wagon. I didn't particularly like the characteristics of the 4EAT, but the overall MPGs were about the same as a manual - and the fact most are quite reliable may put them in the running again for me. Of course there's the 6 cylinders with the 5EAT, but those cars usually have leather which I don't prefer. I did see a rarity - a 2011 or so Premium with the H6, which had cloth seats. Just looking for thoughts and observations of mechanics and others on this site.

Yes it seems if they're taken care of 250k+ miles is certainly possible. There are many advantages to older vehicles. I've been reading stories about 2020 Foresters needing jump starts lately, maybe due to them not being driven as much due to staying at home. But all this start/stop, cylinder deactivation, electric steering etc. with newer vehicles long with just to save some gas means a lot more to go wrong. Changing oil seems to be a significant factor to engine longevity. What I've always like about Subarus is I could change the oil on every one I've had in my driveway. The only one I think I didn't was my first one, a 1980 GL. With the 3 speed automatic that thing was at a crazy high rpm on the highway! Don't know how much since it didn't have a tach. My EA82 wasn't so great mainly due to oil leaking. Maybe the 1980 I had was an EA81. When I was a kid self service gas stations were non-existent as far as I recall. The attendant would always check the oil. I'll admit I don't as much as I should with my own vehicles. I should more often.

Ok - the EA82. In another post on this site I saw where someone just purchased a '92 Loyale wagon very similar to mine, but I don't think 4WD that needs engine work, the rest of the car appears to be in very good shape. My '85 EA82 did leak oil. Maybe they all did. If I recall there was even an oil gauge in the '85 I had. On a different note - I wonder how common a spun bearing is on a non-turbo engine? In most forums posts it seems to be it happening to turbos, but I know it can happen on normally aspirated engines. It happened to a family member in a 2007 Legacy. He admitted though, it was probably low on oil. Is that usually the case with a spun bearing? Maybe it's hit or miss as I've seen several reports here and elsewhere of EJ25 engines hitting beyond 200k miles.

Nice Subaru! Looks like my '85 GL (Loyale) 5MT 4WD. I really liked the exterior and interior design of that generation. Some engine work needed but looks like it's worth it with the rest of the car appearing to be in very good shape.

Jeez, 245k! I looked up the EA81. That must have been what I had in my 1985 4WD GL wagon - Leone I think it was called elsewhere. That car had a manual lever to engage 4WD.

Wow - thanks for the warning. At times for the heck of it I'll look on Craiglist, but just look thinking the way to go is from a dealer. Ironically, I can recall now some pretty good details about vehicles sold there since it's typically by the current owner. You'll see a list of what's been replaced (hopefully they're honest) - what it does (such as a noise when turning left) what's defective and why they're selling it. I think if I was to buy from a dealership it would just be the one I mentioned that replaces the head gaskets and timing belts along with a comprehensive warranty.

The '99 had the SOHC, right? That's some serious mileage on both. I had '98 Outback years ago. The clutch (maybe throwout bearing?) was starting to make noise. It was when I had dial-up internet so never heard of head gasket or any other issues. I traded it in for a 2002 in 2005 with only 103k - reason being our company vehicle policy required our vehicles to be no more than 7 years old. I was reimbursed fairly for using it doing service calls, so I didn't mind. Sorry to hear about the solenoid needing replacing.

Yes history is key. A couple pluses that dealership i my state that I mentioned has is the one year warranty on the engine. Of course a bearing failure could come after a year - but the fact that they replace the head gaskets on all Subarus whether they were showing signs of needing to or not may prevent a bearing failure, hopefully meaning no oil deficit yet. I've seen a few reports of bearing failures not long after a head gasket replacement. A typical replacement would be after they're bad - so the leaking oil over that time as you said could promote a bearing failure. A 3.6R is still in the running - the reduced fuel economy wouldn't be a deal breaker. Oh boy, those too? Nothing is ideal I suppose. I wonder if the majority of failures were on the 3.0 H6? A vehicle I just plain forgot about speaking of H6 was the Tribeca. The last few years of them didn't look too bad, but it seems you really pay a fuel economy penalty with those. Also not surprisingly somewhat rare.

Nice! Looks to be in really good shape. A similar scene to here, I also have a flag outside and an old pickup truck! Some berate the 4EAT, but many times at the same time saying it's very reliable, which is true. As long as the 'go' follows 'comes' with the 3.0 codes that's fine. Very few headgasket failure reports with those and a timing chain. As I have more time these days I've been doing a lot of research. I tend to focus on 10+ year old vehicles. Looking for reliability another I considered was a Toyota 4Runner. Overall excellent consumer reviews - but a good place to look are the brand's forums. The Toyota 4.0 V6 is prone to head gasket failures. There's a whole thread there about that, like on the subaroutback.org forum. Likely a very small percentage, but of course a red flag. Re: the spun bearing issue on the Subaru 2.5 engines, again the occurrences are likely rare - but one of my sons had a 2007 Legacy and I think that's what happened to it. 260k is one of the highest mileages I've heard of on an EJ25. Good to know it's possible.

Wow, 260K, and blue 2002 - now I'm really wishing I kept this! It's a 2002S 5MT. The air conditioning was shot, quoted around $1300 to repair. It was around 130k miles, (cool you and your partner have well over 200k) so I was thinking it was going to need head gaskets soon. Traded it in 3 years ago. Interesting the newer 3.0 has more issues. I miss my Forester.

Interesting - then an EJ25 with the timing belt replaced may be a better bet. There's a dealership in my state that claims to replace the timing belt and head gaskets on every Subaru they sell. By default the statement is on the 2011 Forester I saw with the FB25. They warranty the Subarus 6 months bumper-to-bumper and 1 year on the engine. Since I have a company vehicle I typically put on only a few thousand miles a year on my own car and truck. From my experience older EJ25s may leak oil but not necessarily burn oil so much. Currently I have an older Honda Accord, 5MT. I don't know when the timing belt was changed, probably can't be inspected and considering the labor to make it visible might as well have it replaced. It's a great car but I can't ignore the appeal I still have for Subarus. With proper care I've seen (although maybe rare?) examples of EJ25s out there with over 200k miles. Older Subarus are what I'd consider since I'm a manual transmission fanatic. The heated cloth seats also make them unique and appealing to me, I don't like leather. I'd be fine with a CVT - had a company vehicle with one which I was fine with and very fuel efficient - but I'm beginning to see reports of some failures on high mileage CVTs. Maybe it's a small percentage, I don't know. I'd go for a 2010+ Outback with the 6MT but there's that procedure for changing the front low beam light bulb...

Doing some research I've found the FB25 engine does not (yet) have a reputation of head gasket failures. Of course there's the oil consumption. I do like that it has timing chains. I wonder if these are also prone to ring bearing failures? Only found one mention of that on an FB25, and it was on a turbo Forester. It seems most ring bearing failures are on high performance vehicles like the Forester turbos and WRXs, same with the FJ25. I don't have Subaru now although I've owned many over the years, they still appeal to me. If I ever did get one with the FB25 I'd know to be diligent with checking oil. I was always able to do oil changes on all the Subarus I have, I probably still have a Fram PH3593 oil filter in the garage. Was even able to change the oil on my son's'95 Legacy without jacking it up. It appears on the FB25 the oil filter is on top of the engine.

Interesting, maybe a common GM thing - bought my '67 Caprice in 1974. I'd sometimes start it before letting my friends drive it and remove the key without telling them, It was funny to see their reaction when they tried to turn it off. At least the 04 Outback being a manual if you absolutely had to you could stall it out easily - but then is there still power being applied to various circuits? During the situation with the key removed is there power to the radio? I'd guess yes.

Have no idea why that's happening, but it reminds me of my first car. It was a 1967 Chevy Caprice - when the engine was running you could just pull the key out of the ignition. That was on the dashboard, not the steering column.