terryb52

As a follow-up, I called 3 other shops this afternnon. None will do a 2.2 swap. All said there were too many problems and they would only do a 2.5 for 2.5. We're still looking at over $3000. I will call revolutions--- what do you know about them?

Just got a quote from them-- about $3400. Too steep for me. Any other suggestions?

Didn't find Revolutions in phone book....

What others? Always open to who others trust or have have good experiences with. Ever use Mondino Imports? Quality Tech? Had good experiences with both of them at different times.

Accurate Japanese. These guys did a great job on fixing my '92 Turbo. They told me that they end up fixing the problems that others create when trying to swap on their own. Quality Tech thought it was a tensioner rod but Accurate said no, it was a rod knock. Do I get another opinion? Knock never goes away. It's driven 3K since first knocking noticed (not by me, previous owner). I called him to get service records after buying the car in IL. My family drove it out here thinking it was OK because a dealership in Dubuque said it was fine!

I posted my long story on New Generation board but want some more info and maybe this is the place. I need to replace an engine in a 1998 Outback. I don't know anything about the engine except it's a 2.5. I want to drop in (well someone else will drop it in :-\) a 2.2 after reading what everyone was saying about the 2.5s. I don't know what to ask for when looking for an engine. What year, etc. What else to take into consideration. It's an AT. How do I find a mechanic who will do it right? My regular mechanic said he would only do it with a new/rebuilt 2.5 for $5K. Out of the question. I'm in Colorado Springs. Any help greatly appreciated!

I won't be using my '92 as a donor-- it's a turbo with 182K. I'll get more for it selling outright once I get a working car. I've replaced most everything in it so it's worth somehting anyway. I will start looking for options on mechanics and engines. If anyone has a Subie guy in colorado spings they know has done this swap, please let me know. Thanks!

Wow-- there's a lot of conversation about this. I am a nonmechanical single woman who has gotten so many differing pieces of advice. One mechanic said it was a tensioner rod but the next one said absolutely not. The knock does not go away when it warms up. The same mechanic said that I would be facing the same problems with head gaskets if I got an engine from a junkyard or bought one from Japan. He said he fixes other people's problems from trying to swap out 2.2 for 2.5 all the time. If anyone knows of a mechanic in C/S who is experienced in doing this and is reputable, please let me know. A 2.5 would cost me about $1500 plus installation. (What should that run?) Haven't priced a 2.2. There is a little rust on it (from WI). I could live with it for 2 years if I get it running. It has 135K miles. I tend to only put 12K or less a year on a car. If I can get this whole thing settled for another $2000 or so it would be worth it. I would then sell my '92. Thanks for all your opinions and help!

I looked into swapping and was told there were more problems with making sure things hooked up properly than was worth it. Also told I should get a new engine rather than junkyard ($5K for that whole deal). I have no idea what the rest of the car is like-- tranny, etc. I only drove it twice! Thing was, it was passed by a dealership in Dubuque, IA who did the safety inspection before it was driven out here. I wrote them a nasty letter and never heard back. I at least wanted my $70 back! We knew before taking it there that it was making a noise. Just didn't know what it was. They told us it needed an alignment and other small things which added up to about $200 with the inspection. I read another post where the advice was to just get a new car and be done with second guessing whether you are getting a money pit. If I could afford the payments, that's what I would do.

I posted a couple months ago about my bad Subaru Outback experience. I bought a '98 from an auction in IL on the advice of a relative. He drove it out here (CO) in an ice storm. Found out it needs a new engine (rod knock diagnosed by 3 mechanics). I do not want to replce the engine. Now the dilema... do I trade it in at a dealership and hope they don't figure it out (bad karma) and try to get back some of my $2500? Sell it as is for ???? (any guesses?). I am broke and can't afford to lose much. The whole thing has had me stressed. I fixed up my '92 and have been driving it but hadn't really wanted to put more money in it. I have been looking at Foresters and Honda CRVs and RAV-4s. Any words of wisdom? Prices seem to be much higher here in Colorado Springs than other places for all of these cars.

I only took it to one shop. I will be asking about wrist pins, etc. when I take it to the shop where I will get the work done (a different shop). I'm sure they will have to get into it to see for sure. What questions should I ask or what should I look out for when I take it in? I don't want to get taken, being a woman and all. I try to be pretty savvy.

I got 2 quotes for the work and both were over $900-- neither a dealership. It is expensive to fix cars in CO. Last timing belt situation was about the same. I have an appt. fopr next Tue to do the work. I will bring up all the possibilities you guys described. I will hope for the best.

My '92 legacy had a fuel pump go out with similar symptoms. It would start sometimes and not start others. Let it sit and it starts up an hour later. Finally it didn't start and hed the pump replaced. No problems after that.

I think you're right! I just took it to a shop and they think it's a tensioner rod-- estimate to put in new one PLUS pulleys, timing belt, water pump, seals, etc. under $1000. That is music to my ears. Anyone have opinions on this? Yes it is an AT and I'll ask about that as well. No one has dug into the engine yet so anything might be possible.

Can't find CCR on web. Also, where is best way to find out how to do a swap with ej22? Not sure how to search this site and get info to mechanic if necessary. Am going to take it to a different mechanic tomorrow am who works exclusively on Japanese cars. Says there is a tensioner something that often sounds like rod problem. Any ideas on that? I really hope it is more minor than I think. It does not get quieter when warm...

I just got 3 quotes on a used 2.5 swap-- $3000-3700! Yikes. I will research the 2.2 engines on this site. I am a complete novice and would appreciate any help. I take care of my cars and expect others to do the same, but it doesn't work that way. I want my cars to last me at least 10 years and only buy used (can't afford anything else). $3000 would be almost a quarter of my yearly wage! Any ideas on selling this car as is-- what to expect moneywise?

OK, I bought a '98 Legacy Outback from out of state. My brother-in-law has one and saw this one and thought it was a good deal. I have a '92 turbo touring wagon presently that needs some work and have been looking at other cars. Since I am in CO and he is in IL I left it up to him to look it over. He said the engine was "noisy" but it seemed OK. It was an auction car so we didn't know history. I got it for $2000. He tooki it to the Sube dealership in Dubuque to have a safety check and minor repairs. They said it was good to go. I then contacted previous owner found on title. he said the ford dealership had told him he needed a new enging when he went in for an oil change. He got paranoid and sold it to them for $200. They didn't tell him what was wrong, or what they suspected was wrong. I took that as a possible mistake and figured it was probably not a big deal as the Subaru dealer saw nothing wrong. My family braved the terrible weather last weekend and drove it and another car out here across the plains in the ice storms and snow. It made the 1200 mile trip. I thought it was overly noisy myself and had a couple other people listen to it. Both said rods. NOW, what do I do? Anyone been through this with either rebuild or replace? How do I go about it? The one person who diagnosed it is a car dealer who has been through this with Subes and he knows of an outlet for Japanese engines if I know of a mechanic to drop it in. Pros and cons??? Junk yard engine??? Anyone know of someone reliable in Colorado Springs to do the work? I am pretty desperate at this point. I still have my '92 but it is dripping a lot of oil on the manifold and smoking up a storm. Once I get plates and pay tax I will have about $2500 in the '98. What should I expect to pay for engine and labor? THANKS TO ALL OF YOU-- YOU'RE GREAT!

All good reponses! I have decided to keep it for the timebeing-- just put in a cheap CD player to replace the factory radio/tape deck that fried. Are turbos really desirable? I just bought it cause it was the only affordable wagon I could find at the time. It is peppy ! I had the gaskets replaced about 3 years ago and it is starting to do the same smoke from under the hood thing. They said it might happen again. I can deal with it but it's stinky and the people next to me at the stoplights get freaked out. I like the luxury of things working (sunroof, AC, CC, etc.) but can live with less than perfect for awhile. Cosmetically the car is in pretty good shape. It was incredible when I bought it--looked new at 11 years old. But I tend to haul alot of dirty stuff and my dog sheds alot. But, it's still in good condition. So, unless something major happens, I will drive it for another year. I will be moving to IL next year and maybe someone in that area will be happy to get a turbo wagon?? Thanks!

I have a '92 Turbo wagon with 176K and many replaced parts. Things are falling apart (sunroof, stereo, oil leak) on a more regular basis. I have replaced water pump. fuel pump. belts. O2 sensor, starter, tires, more in the 4 years I've owned the car. When do I say enough and get another used Subaru or is it better to keep this one because all the parts are new? I have one cross-country trip this fall but other than that it's city driving. The gas is killing me, however--takes higher grade because of turbo. When do you decide to pack it in???

excuse me--- TOYO TIRES!!!

only when the car is rolling. I will get the brakes checked. Just had the fronts done not too long ao. However, time goes by really fast and that may have been longer ago than I remember!

I had Toro tires on my 92 wagon when I bought it used. really liked them and replaced with more Toros last year. No complaints, good in snow and rain and did well cross country last summer. Very little wear.

You guys have really helped in the past...hope you can come thru again. I have a 92 auto wagon that has started squealing squeaking at all speeds. It kind of sounds like it is coming from the passenger side, not sure if front or rear. Not when I apply brakes. All belts were replaced 2 years ago. Water pump at the same time. I am doing a short road trip Wed. and need to know if I should be concerned and take it in before I go. Also doing a long road trip in August. Will get a trip check before that. Any likely suspects spring to mind?? Thanks!

Nope--no critters. I had already driven a couple miles before it happened. About the CC, I had used it off and on for 600 miles before the crazy thing happened. I might take it to a mechanic here in IL to have a once-over. They aren't very familiar with Subarus tho.

OK--I took a chance. Went to my mechanic before leaving town and we stood over the engine for a good half hour scratching our heads. Nothing was happening. No problems with hoses, belts, fan, etc. So...I packed up the car and drove 1100 miles. HOWEVER in the middle of Nebraska my cruise control stuck and I was cruising at an ever increasing speed of 85mph with my foot on the brakes! I was terrified. I punched the cruise button, stomped on the brakes and nothing was slowing it down. Finally I hit the gas pedal and it disconnected. I DID NOT use the cruise from that point on. What could have caused that???? At least I had no smoke/noise/loss of power. We think maybe it was something blown up into the fan or belts that burned up and dropped???? Thanks for all your help and ideas. I will be driving BACK in a couple weeks.