nipper

An FYI http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=1090&scid=82 VW 1.8L and chrysler 2.7 as well as a saab engine all have sludge problems. Chrsyler is leaving people out to hang no matter what proof you have the car was well maintained. Thats why I alkways tell people to use the Harsh Driving intervals to change their oil. Some cars its a poorly designed PCV system. Most I think are too small an oil capacity. Less oil gets contaminated fairly quickly. nipper

Sounds more like torque bind. Put the fuse in the FWD holder and see if it goes away. Do all your tires match? Are they all properly inflated? Is your tranny temp light on? Drive the car at idle speed in a tight circle. Can it move under its own power at no throtle in forwad and reverse. If it can't its TB. If its TB, change the fluid. At this mileage I wouldnt be surprised if the AWD is worn out. nipper

No they are not prone to sludge. Also to prevent sludge change the oil more frequently. One cause of sludge is many short trips where the oil doesnt get a chance to warm up. It takes 2 - 3x's longer for oil to warm up then water. nipper

Ok nipper

If things get really bad, talk to a radiator shop. Some of them will rebuild a radiator. nipper

spin it it shouldnt make any noise. there shold be absoloutly no free play whatsoever. When was the last time you did the timing belts. You really should replace both of them as long as you are there. nipper

Better question, did you replace the idler and tensioner? They seem to magically go bad after a timing belt is replaced. I think the release of tension from the old belt allows the (worn) bearings to move and show its age. nipper

they have square ones? :-p nipper

But thats why i keep getting reminded that men are allowed to breath on this planet. Jars, nuts and bugs. :-p nipper

Does the noise tend to roar and change volume with road speed. If it does thats a differntial. Its a very unique noise. nipper

Altenator. nipper

It's much safer to talk politics and religon. nipper

Dissconeect the airbag system, as you never know. nipper

HG's are only 15% of all engines, so its really not a big thing. Go into it with your eyes open. ALWAYS check for TB on any AWD vehical. Make sure all the tires match. The car is due for a timing belt and seals. Its not only mileage, but time. Rubber ages no matter what it is doing. Same goes for car parts in general. When the car has low mileage, go by the calander. Check the fluid inside the resivoir (dont go by the resevoir itself, as they are all dirty). Check to make sure the car has heat. if there is no heat thats a great indicator of a HG issue. May mean a simple airbubble in the engine, but thats not good either. nipper

I would just drive it till it got worse, unless you have TB then its time to shop for a tranny. nipper

Try the online subaru parts houses. The will give you a better price. nipper

NO they just removed unessary weight. Its not all about making money, its abou reducing weight to maximize fuel effeciency and reduce emissions. More engineering time and money went into removing that material then subaru would make for that little material loss in the first year of production. Having the rotors turned twice is one time, if not two times too much. Sounds like the previous driver may have been too hard on the brakes. there will be new rotors in your future. nipper PS i have tivo, i am commercial free

Look in your heart luke.....feel the force. What is the goal of this car. Do you want to drive it untill it hits 400,000 miles, or another few years and replace it. Used subaru trannies are very reliable. you must get a warrenty and a yard that stands behind it. The first time you make a u turn youll know if its good or not. nipper

have you treid radiator.com? nipper

and incredibly slow. I've been looking for one to throw a soobie engine in, but painfully rare here. I wish i could find a utility one like in the video nipper

Double chain is a three peice timing chain I-I-I . three peices. Europe has some very weird tax structures, and in general europeans arent the torque hungry HP maniacs that americans are. If no one wants it they wont sell it there. Remeber Subaru is a small mfg, with a tiny market in europe. They can't really afford to test and do everything they need to do to sell more then a few variations of any one car over in europe. nipper

And I am getting pissed ..... nipper

Backing plates are meant to keep mud and snow from packing on the inside of the rotor. They are more critical in the front then the back. Anyplace a car mfg can trim an ounce they will, as it all adds up. nipper

I worked for an auto part mfg. There is a difference between what you get at the dealership and what you get at the autoparts store. Its sometimes not enough to mean anyhting, but when it comes to emissions it does. The part does meet spec, but the part that comes through subaru has better tolerances. nipper

Yes. I dont know if these switches are the same as the earlier models. Someone will chime in for sure. Its probably still a radioshack bulb and taking the switch apart, as oppsed to silly money at the dealership. nipper