2Outbacks

I have a 2001 OB Limited 4EAT sedan, 70K miles, that started to make a whining noise at speeds of 40 and up. It sounds like it's coming from the front, and gets a little worse on acceleration. I took it to the dealer to check it out. According to the service report, "Tech found that noise is coming from the front differential area at higher speeds. Tech checked oil and found that it is at an OK level, a little thin, and very clean. Tech notes that front differential must be disassembled to investigate further." I had the 60K service done a little ahead of schedule so I could complain about piston slap and ended up with a new short block. So some questions: if they used the wrong oil, could this have damaged something to cause the whine? could they have done something during the engine work to affect the differential? 10-12 hours to disassemble the front diff to find out exactly what the problem is - is this reasonable? how much trouble would I be in if I don't do anything about it? It doesn't seem to be getting any worse.

Two other questions: First, they indicated it would take 10-12 hours to disassemble the front diff to find out exactly what the problem is - is this reasonable? Also, how much trouble would I be in if I don't do anything about it?

I just took it to the dealer to check it out. Tech indicated that the noise is coming from the front differential. Differential oil checked, level OK, very clean, but a little thin. I had the 60K service done a little ahead of schedule so I could complain about piston slap and ended up with a new short block. So 2 questions: if they used the wrong oil, could this have damaged something to cause the whine; and could they have done something during the engine work to affect the differential?

I have a 2001 OB Limited 4EAT sedan, 70K miles, that has just started to make a whining noise at speeds of 40 and up. It sounds like it's coming from the front, and gets a little worse on acceleration. Any ideas?

So nobody is going to mention the problems with the head gasket or piston slap? My 01 needed the head gasket replaced at 48K and now I'm getting a new short block for piston slap at 60K. My Outbacks have been the only cars I've ever owned that have stranded me (98 due to clutch problems) or have had major engine repairs at less than 100K. That being said, I still bought an 05 Limited wagon last year...they're nice cars when they're working, rattle-free, comfortable, good gas mileage, appropriately sized for my needs and unstoppable in the snow.

I had the same problem on my 98. Replaced the slave cylinder, then the master cylinder (under warranty), SOA finally said that pressure-bleeding of the system was the problem - it trapped air in a pocket in the master cylinder. Their solution was to "gravity-bleed" the system. I think they just cracked a fitting and let any air bubble out naturally. It seemed to work.

I paid invoice for mine, through the Subaru VIP program (my company is an automotive supplier).

I consistently got 27-29 mpg on my 98 5MT on my commute (50% highway) until I traded it. My 01 4EAT Ltd sedan has been about the same, and the 05 4EAT Ltd wagon I just got has gotten between 27 and 30 so far.

When I bought the 98, it had two advantages over the GT wagon I was comparing it to - extra headroom and seat heaters. Since the new Limited models have the bunwarmers and enough headroom (even with the sunroof), I'm leaning toward the Legacy. Not sure about the turbo though....I'll have to drive them both and see if I need it for my midlife crisis car.

It looks like this is the year to get rid of my 98 Outback, but I'm looking for opinions on whether to get another Outback or switch to a Legacy. What does the Outback offer for the additional $1000, other than the "heavy-duty raised suspension"? BTW, if I get a Legacy, can I still keep my 2Outbacks name?

I had the same problem with my 98 (especially in hot weather, beep & creep traffic) and had the both the master and slave cylinders replaced with no improvement. My dealer called SOA and found that the system can't be pressure-bled since it leaves air in a pocket in the master cylinder. It has to be "gravity-bled" - crack one of the fittings and let the air bubble out naturally.

I get 26-28 mpg in mostly highway driving - 98 5MT.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Subaru defects! I have a 98 5MT OB wagon and an 01 OB Limited sedan. The 98 has had clutch problems (chatter and the pedal sticking to the floor due to a defective master cylinder design which took 3 YEARS to diagnose), and the 01 has the clattering when cold, even after the timing belt tensioner was replaced as well as a head gasket failure at 42K miles. I wrote to Subaru to express my concern over their design defects, and received this response: "...The life expectancy of any mechanical device is subject to many considerations. Every automobile will arrive at a condition that calls for minor, sometimes major, repair work. Subaru of America's warranty policy is designed for the protection of the owner for a limited time or mileage. We have reviewed the warranty history for both vehicles and investigated your concerns with Lancaster Subaru dealership, and have been advised that Subaru has honored the terms of the manufacturer's warranty. ..." Make no mistake, I like the cars themselves; but I've never had another vehicle in 25+ years of driving that left me stranded or required major engine repair at less than 100K miles (and that includes quite a few GM cars!)

Mine took a day (01 OB Ltd sedan with 42K miles), so they let me have a loaner.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Subaru defects! I have a 98 5MT OB wagon and an 01 OB Limited sedan. The 98 has had clutch problems (chatter and the pedal sticking to the floor due to a defective master cylinder design which took 3 YEARS to diagnose), and the 01 has the clattering when cold as well as a head gasket failure at 42K miles. I wrote to Subaru to express my concern over their design defects, and received this response: "...The life expectancy of any mechanical device is subject to many considerations. Every automobile will arrive at a condition that calls for minor, sometimes major, repair work. Subaru of America's warranty policy is designed for the protection of the owner for a limited time or mileage. We have reviewed the warranty history for both vehicles and investigated your concerns with Lancaster Subaru dealership, and have been advised that Subaru has honored the terms of the manufacturer's warranty. ..." Make no mistake, I like the cars themselves; but I've never had another vehicle in 25+ years of driving that left me stranded or required major engine repair at less than 100K miles (and that includes quite a few GM cars!)