01 Outback

I am pleased to report I have put 4700 miles on the VDC and I am quite happy with it. I had to add 12 ounces of Amsoil oil today, the 1st since the oil change. Mileage has consistently been averaging 23-24 at speeds usually in excess if 80 MPH on the 122 mile round trip daily commute. I will be changing out the Amsoil 10w40 high zinc oil at 6000 miles, rotating the tires and changing the transmission and differentials fluids as well. No fluid or oil leaks and no further problems (knock on wood) thus far. I am hooked on the H6 as is the Bridal Unit. She wants me to sell her beautiful 1990 Cadillac Brougham De Elegance and buy another 2nd Gen VDC or LL Bean car so the hunt begins anew!

Thanks for the replies... Good to know on LH valve cover. We didnt mess with it since it aint leaking. We had to use the ratchet wrench on a couple of the bolts on the RH side. That one bolt on LH side looked impossible...I did make the used car lot guy give me the original axle and will put a boot on it. The old boot is crispy but hadnt gone all the way through so it should be good for a spare. Thanks to all for the help and advice. I plan to change the fluid in the differentials and transmission when I do the 1st oil change.

I am very glad it wasnt the driver side valve cover as it appears the engine has to be jacked up to get the aft bottom bolt out.

I have about 1500 miles on the new to me VDC. So far I have replaced a leaking oil cooler oring and oil pressure sending unit and last break my dear friend Frank Bryan came over and we changed the seeping RH valve cover gasket. It wasnt too bad a job. Airbox out, coil packs out, wiring bracket removed and wires moved to access it. The motor is nice and clean inside and there was very little to clean inside the valve cover. So far so good, no more leaks. I am averaging 23 to 24 MPG on the commute and continue to be impressed by the power and smoothness of the H6. I havent had to add any oil since I changed it other than the little bit we lost on the oil cooler oring change when I removed the filter.

I put a few interstate miles on today and I am pleased to report no leaks on inpsection afterward. I really like the way it drives. The 6 cylinder is very smooth and gearing must be different as the engine turns 400 RPM less for a given speed than the 4 cylinder.

OK thanks

GD I picked up 6 quarts of Amsoil 10W40 and a Purolator OEM equivalent Pure One filter. What interval do you recommend?

It looks brand new inside.

I hope to pick it up on Sunday.

Duly noted and thank you. Oil change interval? I was doing 5000 with the 2.5.

I was wondering what the consensus was as to the best engine oil and what viscosities and types of fluid / gear oil to use in the transmision and differentials? I am not sure I understand all I dont know about the VDC system and dont want to screw something up withe the wrong oil. Thanks in advance.

Good news the leaks were determined to be a rh valve cover gasket and a loose hose clamp on a power. steering line. The window was iced up and works after being thawed. The RH cv joint will be replaced and he is giving me the factory joint with the torn boot to reboot and keep for a spare. The pipe for the exhaust is on order. They are troubleshooting the cause of the heated seats inop but have no cause yet and is not a deal breaker anyway...

I put a deposit down today on the 01 VDC. Thanks to you all telling me where to look, I found an oil leak at the oil cooler where it meets the filter housing. The heated seats are inop or I don't know how to turn them on. The left rear window is inop and the pipe between the resonator and the muffler is rotten. One cv joint boot is torn on the rh joint inboard. All these discrepancies were noted and will be fixed as a condition of the sale prior to pick up on Thursday or Friday. The car runs great and has a lot of power compared to the 2.5 in my old outback. It is clean inside and out, no rust anywhere. Pics will follow...

Thanks!

The deal fell through on the red car depicted due to a titling issue that may take another 2-3 weeks to resolve. I found an 01 Outback VDC with 110K that is in my price range. The car is scheduled to arrive today and I am supposed to go look at it tomorrow. Is there anything different to look out for with VDC cars? Thanks to all in advance. My 90 GMC is costing me $26 a day in fuel at 13MPG on the highway ( 350 with 3.42 gears towing package) I have got to get some relief:)

My farming partner knows the GM at a well established local independent lot in Winchester, VA called Dudley Motors. He called this morning and told me he made some inquiries in his network and found me an 02 Legacy LL Bean with 148 K that needs some cosmetic repair on the rear bumper. He quoted me under$4000 out the door with transportation cost, servicing, bumper repair and VA safety inspection. He said 2 weeks... Since it is an 02 I know some of the parts will interchange if needed. I told him not to buy any bumper repair parts to just send his man to the farm and take them off of my 01. pics will follow...

Thanks for the advice. I am looking...

No, sadly Nicks Good Food Diner on North Royal is closed and torn down. My grandmother Margaret Steele used to sell eggs to all the restaurants in Front Royal in the early 60s and I used to get a free fountain drink while I was sitting at the counter when they did their business.

On my way home from work night before last about 20 miles into my 61 mile journey home, my Outback was humming along at 70 as usual and I am thinking a piston disintegrated or a rod or main bearing let go. It was 11 degrees outside. I know the motor was full of oil verified that morning and after whatever happened. It sounded like someone striking an anvil with a hammer very rapidly and very loud. The car was due it's 5000 mile oil change but not over due. I only used Mobil 1 5W30 with Lucas synthetic oil stabilizer and Mobil 1 filters. I tried to make it off of I-66 and it locked up on the off ramp. A surprisingly friendly VA State Trooper pulled up behind me shortly after I got it in neutral and backed it up as close to the guard rail as I could get it. He let me sit in his Cruiser and stay warm till the roll back arrived.The car has 360K on it and 107K on a eBay procured reman motor. All told, not counting consumables I purchased it in 2012 for 3 grand and I might have 6 grand total in the car. I have put over 200K on it in 5.5 years of the 122 mile a day commute mostly at speed in excess of 80 MPH, so long story short I feel I more than got my money's worth out of it, best car I have ever owned. AAA was inundated with calls due to bad weather and dropped me out of the wait queue three times before the Trooper said I have to call our rollback on rotation and get this car off the off ramp. The tow guy was there in 9 minutes and charged me $110 to tow it to a Wal-Mart parking lot in Haymarket, VA a mile away. I had to be back to work for another 12 hour shift at 0945 yesterday so the car is still setting there. I hope to get hold of AAA after I feed my cows today and make them reimburse me for the tow and send someone to get it so that means another 80 mile round trip to take the tow driver the key so he can load it, ( providing I can get them to come get it on New Years Eve). I am on the hunt now for another good used Outback of the same era. I don't think it would be wise to put a 2nd engine in this car with that mileage. I think I am going with a 6 cylinder car this time and have a lead on a couple of them. I found one I really like but it is in Brooklyn, NY so I am kinda dreading driving up there to buy it 296 miles one way... Is there anything I should watch out for inherent to the 3.0 that I can see from the outside?

No wonder it is going for cheap then. Thanks for the advice...

205K Looks good in pictures. Any known issues on these cars? Any thing to look out for? Thanks!

It was sold before I could get hold of the seller....

Do the 2.5 4 cylinder and the 3.0 6 cylinder with an automatic take the same driveshaft? Will the driveshaft from an 01 fit an 04? I found a nice 04 6 cylinder car that needs a driveshaft and I have an extra used 01 driveshaft. Thanks!