soobynooby

I've got a similar problem with a 2000 OBW (2.5 SOHC). The check engine light is on. The codes are O2 sensor and cylinder 4 misfire. It idles rough, but runs smoothly when you give it some gas. A compression test shows that the #4 cylinder is low. It's in the shop, but they won't get around to it till next week. I'll keep you posted. My engine has no signs of an external leak.

Let us know the results of the comression test. I'm having similar trouble on a 2000 OBW, and the compression is low in the offending cylinder. I'm hoping for a stuck valve myself.

I just bought a 2000 OBW Limited (cost me $5k:)) with 135000 miles. Its been maintained well, and there's documentation to support it, but it does have a CEL with a possible burnt valve. I'll have the car in a couple weeks, and follow up with more info. - J

New info... I spoke to the mechanic who has looked at the car. He says its throwing two codes: O2 sensor and piston#4. He checked the pressure in piston #4 and its 90psi. piston #2 is in spec. He thinks it could be a burnt valve or at the very worst a bent rod. He says its not apparent when driving, but you can tell when its idling. I've read (here in the forum) that the missing could be caused by a sticky valve? What should be my plan of attack when I get the car? - J

I wish I had the option of having my mechanic check it out, but its an ebay buy, and the car is in Florida. She seems to be very honest about the car, and is making a fair offer (I think) in light of the problem. At this point I could back out of the deal, but I think I'll take the $1500 discount and roll the dice. My guess is that its more than plugs/wires since its been meticulously maintained. I sent her an email asking when those had been changed last, but she hasn't replied yet. I had planned on doing a pretty intense (for my skills) maintenance spree when I received the car (plugs, wires, timing belt, oil change, air filter, lube, anything else?), so I guess I'll go ahead with that and re-evaluate afterwards. Anyone else with some encouraging words? Thanks.

More newbie questions. The lady I bought this thing from says it hasn't been driven in a while (few months) so she took it to her local mechanic to have it checked out and shipped to me. She paid for new brake pads as a courtesy to me, but said the mechanic said a cylinder was misfiring. She has offered to knock $1500 off the price if I still want the vehicle. Just to recap some facts form another post I made, its a 2000 OBW Limited with 135000 miles for $6000. Her mechanic told her it could be a $100 problem or it could be a $1000 problem, and he would have to look into it further to find out. Any suggestions? What's are the likely culprits? Could this be related in any way to the leaky HG on the 2.5L engine? btw - This forum has been a great resource. I've learned a bunch in the last few days, and I'm looking forward to diving in to my new vehicle's care and maintenance. This is our first Subaru, and I think its a good deal. I've check out the price on an engine from CCR so at the worst I'll have the purchase price + $3500 into a very reliable car at that point. Thanks, - J

I just got a great deal (I think) on a 2000 Outback Limited Wagon. Its had no problems as of yet, has impeccable service records, and there are no coolant leaks. It has a 2.5L SOHC engine. It still needs the recall serviced for the engine (I assume its the one with the Stop-Leak additive to the coolant.) The car has 135000 highway miles (mostly between Vermont and Florida, several times a year). Here are my questions: 1.) Do all 2.5L SOHC engines have the gasket problem? The local dealer (not associated with this sale in any way) said that most of the engines that are going to have a problem develop it by $100k. 2.a.) Should I go ahead and get my head gaskets replaced? 2.b.) If so, how much will I have to pay for that? 3.) Was $6k too much to pay for this thing? 4.) Are there any other problems on this model I should look out for? Thanks for any wisdom. I'm looking forward to as many miles as I can get out of this thing. - J