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Grimmreaper

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  1. I do not rember what the code was, only that it was an indicator for an o2 sensor or catylytic converter. I will have to look it up later on tonight when I get home.
  2. Hi there I have a 97 Outback with 165,000 miles on it. I had the blown headgasket problem and replaced the heads, water pump, radiator, seals, gaskets, thermostat, and plugs. I have been driving for about a year and a half and the only trouble I have had was that the check engine light came on, however no one seems to know what the problem is (the engine runs fine without missing a beat), but lately and intermittantly I hear a series of beeps (4) (it sounds like the beeping you hear when you start up the engine and the seatbelt is not clipped in), then after about a minute a single beep. I have looked and no one I know of has ever had this problem, I am not even sure it is a problem but it is something I have never heard when driving down the road. Any help would be greatly appreciated Very Respectfully Grimmreaper
  3. I concur with Flowmastered87GL, I have a 2005 Baja Sport and it fits my lifestyle just fine, it is big enough to handle all the occasional loads (washing machines, chairs, etc..) my 97 Outback could not. It obviusly will not handle the same cargo as the Ram Pickup but you will definately see an improvement in your gas mileage.
  4. When you bring in your car for the head gasket replacement, you should have the heads checked as well to make sure that they did not warp. If they are warped, you will definately need to replace them as well, this will probably add anywhere from $700 to $1000. Failure to replace the heads will mean more blown head gaskets. The water pump, thermoastat, timing belt, all the seals and gaskets in the engine should also be replaced as well as cleaning out the radiator. The reason is to help prevent any possible heating problems in the event some sludge or foreign object could cause a blockage creating another overheating problem. If the mechanic who does the work is good, you should not have any problems for a very long time.
  5. Well everyone has their situation with regards to keeping their car or selling it and having a good reputable mechanic who knows their way around a Subaru engine is critical to the decision making process. (I have a 97 Outback with 164,000 miles on it) I went to a non-dealership that does high performance work since they had a certified subaru mechanic (with 15+ years experiance on Subarus). What they said was that due to the headgaskets leaking by which then put an air-bubble in the engine and the subsequent overheating it caused was a misalignment of the heads which pushed the heads outside the factory tolerance levels. The Mechanic informed me that about 70 percent of subaru engines will have a warped head if the temperature boils over for anything over 5 minutes or so, he then proved it to me by showing the head with a gage used to monitor levelness of the heads. What makes it so expensive is replacing all the seals, gaskets, plugs, thermostat, timing belt, water pump, and cleaning out radiator (I cannot remeber the rest). Basically what they said was that whenever the head gaskets leak and if the engine overheats, there is no real sure fire way of verifying that the coolant system or any other gaskets/seals were not effected by this and it is cheaper in the longrun to replace all that stuff now. I have been running for about a year after the work was completed and it feels like a new engine, so for me at least it was a good move to get the work done. But the cost was $2900 (that includes the replacement of the clutch and radiator) I know its expensive and the only way I justified it to myself was to decide if I wanted to fix it or settle with car payments again. I hope this helps
  6. If the only problem is a head gasket, then it would be cheaper to replace the gasket rather than a new engine. I do not know what area you live in or what kind of repair shops are around but I think the cost should be around $1,000 to $1,500. I have a 97 Outback with the same blown head gaskets with my engine at 156,000 miles at the time. I thought about a new engine, but the cost for one is around $5,000. In my case I warped my heads and wound up replacing the heads, all the engine gaskets, water pump, thermostat, plugs, timing belt, and water hoses, I went ahead and replaced the radiator and clutch assembly at the same time since the engine was all torn apart with the total cost being $3,000. It was worth it for me since I do not think I could have gotten an equivelant car for $3,000. It has been over a Year since I have done all the work on my outback, but it continues to run great and I expect to get another 100,00 miles minimum out of it.
  7. I cant remember exactly, I was doing a web search for it one day and I stumbled across it. I just saved it in case I ever needed it. I also have a PDF file on how to replace the cabin filters as well.I am glad I was able to help out.
  8. What I have is a PDF file. I have tried to attach it for you. It is an 11 page document that shows you exactly how to mount the bike carrier. If this does not work out let me know and I will try something different. 03_baja_bcii42052.pdf
  9. I just bought a 05 Baja Sport Last November and it currently has about 5,000 miles on it. So far there are no paint chips that I can tell with the exception of a light scratch above the left front wheelwell from a shopping cart.
  10. After that you may need to have a shop verify the CV axles are okay. I had a 95 Legacy LS that had the same problem with a "popping sound" when I entered a corner and wound up replacing the CV axles.
  11. I have a 97 Outback with 161,000 miles on it and I also had the milky white headlamps as well. I used a plastic polish I purchased at Auto Zone and it pretty much cleared up the milky look. It should save you a lot of money and the aggravation of having to remove and install the headlamp assembly. My only problem is that my left headlight plug comes loose enough for the light to dim where it is almost loose, but when I just tap the back of the electrical plug behinf where it attaches to the bulb and it brightens up again. I have to do this several times a dy depending how bumpy th road is.
  12. Hi there I just bought an 05 Baja last November after letting my 95 Legacy sedan go to my Daughter. I also have a 97 Outback as well. I bought the Baja because I wanted the ability to carry bulky stuff the Outback could not and still have good fuel milage that a pickup can not match. So far the Baja has been flawless in operation (only 3 months in operation though), its handling is 10 times better than my 97 Outback. And when I go camping I can carry all my stuff in the back and not totaly trash out the interior like I did with my Outback. Plus I can carry all the stuff that I could not with my Outback. The only only problem I have had so far is remembering to lower the license plate after I drop the tailgate or putting the plate back in position after I raise the tailgate when I am done (a couple of nice police officers have helped me on occasion). The sunroof is nice, but I do not like the way it takes away from the headroom, tall people might have a problem with that. I tried to get a used Baja, but the only ones I could find were models that were almost as much money as the new ones, so I went for a new one instead. the ground clearence at least on the 05 is about 8.4 inches or so. I am not sure what the 03 and 04 models are.
  13. On my 5 Sp Man 97 2.5 Outback 70mph = 3200 rpm On my 5 Sp Man 05 2.5 Baja Sport 70 mph = 3200 rpm
  14. I am sorry you feel that way but I do understand your frustation. I had a 97 Outback with a blown headgasket as well. I guess the only thing I can say to your story is that to get it fixed so it does not blow again is to get a certified subaru tech that knows what they are doing. I overheated the engine which required a head replacement as well as the gaskets , seals, water pump, etc... essentially a engine overhaul minus the crank set work. The shop I went to informed me you can not just replace one side of the head, it has to be both sides (something about wear issues, and they are only sold as pairs as well) From what I understand it takes a mechanic who really knows these engines to get it done. It cost me about $2900 but that also included replacing the radiator and the clutch. It was expensive but the Outback for me is a "known quantity" and I could not see getting another car for that kind of money. It has been about 7 months since I had the work done and I have not had a hint of a problem, mechanically my Outback feels like a new car again, so for me it was a good decision since I expect to get another 100, 000 miles out of it.
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