idosubaru

Could oil consumption be breaking in? Maybe it'll reduce over time by 20K? The smells don't sound good though. Keep an eye on coolant levels and that should tell you if you're actually losing coolant.

run whatever you want, they're dead men walking anyway? and hey I get it, it's not like it's easier to daily drive my XT6 than our 2016 outback.

I’ve repaired a few rodent damaged harnesses. Besides diagnosing and tracing them to under carpet wiring, or hidden areas, they were all easy repairs, never had repeat issues. One or three are broken completely, another is abraded, splice them all, wrap, and on your way. Good luck!

Is it covered under your insurance policy? That's in a very bad area and good chance it's causing the codes. Splice the broken wires to repair or replace the entire harness, Subaru will have those in stock (i think). Subaru will only replace the entire wiring harness, they will not repair the current harness. At least all the dealers I know won't, maybe there's a few willing to "break the rules".

I don’t know either. It’s my understanding it should run but I haven’t investigated it.

Taking it apart - can you check continuity from the connector wiring harness side to a point on the circuit board of each pin as far down stream of the connector as possible. maybe also why wiggling or pressing it to the side so to speak. If you have access to any used Subaru parts All 1995-1998 4 cylinder 2.2 liter and 2.5 liter, Outback legacy Forster Impreza TCUs all readily swap.And 99 Outback’s and Legacys. I think even a FEd TCU is plug and play lol

just putting this here for my own reference, but something like this in the right size, this is too big: https://www.akr-performance.com/p/srs-exhaust-donut-flange-pipe-635mm25-flange-a

I want to keep the stock exhaust manifold/header and replace the rest. Is there a flange adapter that bolts up to the stock header and donut gasket?

Read the owners manual. You can run any reasonable oil. It would be fine. I’d probably avoid 5W on EA engines but for no reason. For what it’s worth GDs shop superior in Portland runs 5w-40 synthetic as a rather standard oil for various non turbo applications, I think including EA engines. Of course hotter temps will be less ideal for thinner oils and that’s a good reason to check the manual like prior post mentions.

Are there any engine codes (check engine light)? Not saying this to be mean but for clarity: running well isn’t important - are there any check engine engine lights or codes? Check if the ATF pan is dented. It can cause problems much easier than a dented engine oil pan. You can attempt to extract the AT codes: some newer Subarus like 2005 ish I think but I forget the years, I have a very easy way to read the codes without any scanner. Not sure it applies to 2002 or the classic schizophrenic multiple personality disorder meth smoking strategy Subaru employed here which you can do yourself with no scanner:

Check the ATF fluid level. Are there any engine codes?

Why’s that? I’ve got three to unload hope you’re right.

How do you know it’s 3.08? Where did that number come from?

If it has the OEM code (or part number?) on it can you post the number or put the number into a Subaru online parts website and see what comes up?

Yeah I have seen (and heard, CLICk!) the trim do that as well.

It usually doesn't. I've never seen a Subaru have any change of driving due to replacing a fuel filter. It might not be it, but it's the one EJ25D vehicle sensor I've seen cause issues but not throw a code.

Well…maybe the miles of rough gravel roads daily commute

What did you do to fix it? Im nearly positive mine is sag. I can hear it hitting the striker low and doesn’t appear to be any interference around the edges.

Eventually you’ll have more miles than trips to the shop on this car. ?!?!?!?!? Lol SMH

Yeah you can just spray carb cleaner or startintbfouod around all the hoses with the engine running and listen to the engine. If it sucks any in due to a leak you’ll hear the engine respond immediately. im sure you can google it. fuel pressure. Just need to hook up a pressure gauge into the rubber line by the drivers side fender well. Subaru doesn’t have an existing port to check it. You just have to Tee into it.

probably need to test for a vacuum leak not look for one check the timing belt belt alignment and pulleys check fuel pressure if you have a spare MAF, swap it to test that clogged cats can glow red - look at it after driving.

Wow, I imagine they'll jump right in and fix that. Seems like it had to be something that happened during that job.

Lean fuel - check for a vaccuum leak in the engine bay. Does it do all the time, once in awhile, only at start up, on highway, driving slow....?

excellent news on no surgery.

Front inner axle joints. Aftermarket axles highly suspect. Might get away with regreaseing the joints but simpler to get some used Subaru axles. Front diff can do it too but I’d expect you to tell the difference.