Longtrailside

Please thouroghly read my comments before commenting blue whale. This is what I said ( The second serious problem that you need to look for is piston or rod knock in these motors which generally happens around 150,000 miles. Make sure that when you go look at the car that it has not been pre warmed to hide the knock due to when the motor warmed it goes away and sounds like a tick ,,,but when cold it sounds like a pissed off monkey with a bat inside the motor.) Yes this is a very serious problem for any motor in any car. The reason why it goes away is due to thermal expansion and contraction, the motor heats up and tolerances tighten up as it is cold the tolerances shrink which makes the gap in worn or damaged parts. Anyone who knows anything about motors will know this and after a piston shatters (which has happened to me in another vehicle) it destroys the engine and the bad part is that it can last for a long time or the next start you never know. As far as the cat o2 sensors read heat not air flow. O2 sensors are electical generators and a properly working one will read 1 volt of current when heated. The only true way to test a cat air flow is to do the highway test or to drill holes into the front and rear of the cat and read the air pressures.

Tires make a huge difference in noise, but the issue with subarus are the boxer engines they all have that subaru thump to them and will not go fully away. You can always add sound deadning under the carpet that will help alot. If the thumping from the motor is the issue you might want to try another brand and see which one suits your needs for the price range your looking in.

Just remember the higher the miliage tire means less handling(harder tire), lower means better handling(softer tire). A 55,000 to 60,000 mile tire will give you the best of both worlds generally. A good set of snow tires make a world of differrence in the winter times, but since you really don't get any i wouldnt worry about getting them. I would not touch a tire over 70,000 mile tire for wet conditions like where I live in the NW all they do is spin in wet conditions even in awd starting on a hill with easy throttle.

Essentially between 75,000 to 120,000 they go but most pop at 90,000.

Going to throw my 2 cents in on this because I just bought a 2001 outback. Long story short I got seriously screwed. I am going to tell you how not to get screwed with the 2000 to 2004 models. What I have found is the head gaskets generally never last past the first timing belt change which is 105,000 miles, unless if they did the recall and went to subaru and had the coolant conditioner additive added to the coolant. The second serious problem that you need to look for is piston or rod knock in these motors which generally happens around 150,000 miles. Make sure that when you go look at the car that it has not been pre warmed to hide the knock due to when the motor warmed it goes away and sounds like a tick ,,,but when cold it sounds like a pissed off monkey with a bat inside the motor. When I was looking for a replacement motor almost all the cars that were in the junkyard had bad rods, in the end I said screw it and went for a rebuilt motor to get around the bad HG's and bad rod issues. Next on the list is the tranny, mostly there pretty tough from what I found except for the one I got. The front transfer was toast. Lastly and this goes for ALL older cars is to have the catalytic converter tested or has been recently replaced otherwise it is another almost 800 (need to buy oem from subaru due to computer 02 tolerances)to replace and anything generally over 12 years is reaching or at the end of its life cycle due to high sulfuric gas in the US. Like I said I got screwed on mine BUT I know that these are tough reliable cars. Other brands have their issues like toyotas and engine sIudge at least you know what your getting into with subarus and can look out for what is going to happen but anything outside of that will be abnormal. I just found out that mine was a rental so it got pounded on. From what I have seen and heard and researched these cars are amazing in the snow with proper snow tires. I agree with AdventureSubaru on what he said. Do your homework on the car that you are going to look at and have a certified mechanic go thru it with a pre inspection. If the hg's are bad replace them and you should have a solid car or better yet buy one cheap with a rod knock and have a reman put in and all the issues will be taken care of and a 3 year warranty plus labor. Best of luck in your adventures in finding your subaru.

Could be a number of things but the best way to find out is to have a mechanic run an analyzer and look at the readings and if you can fix the problem yourself great. Generally, flat spots come from bad tune-ups, leaking vacum lines, dirty maf sensors, dirty throttle plate, ect ect. Best thing to do is just take it to a reputable shop and get it fixed properly it will cost less in the long run. 500 for that car even with the throttle issues is a steal.

Agreed, check for codes and also check the wire on the cam timing sensor, also check your fuses, if you worked on your car without disconnecting your battery and no gloves the static electricity can short your electronic parts.

Hope it all goes well for ya. Sounds like you had WAYYYY to much fun with this lil project.

BTW good luck on your project, sounds like you went to fix something simple and has turned into a pain in the arse.

Careful on the heat, but yeah add a more heat then keep trying to work it in and out it should work out the crap in the threads and if not you can always use quick steal epoxy and retap it.

Just did mine. Use subaru parts if you can because the aftermarket one size fits all one are a pain to install by yourself (bad fitting). The job can be done in under an hour if you have all the right tools and knowledge. It will also save you 380 dollars.

Thats exactly what I was thinking to when I seen the post, works great. After you weld the nut on heat the oustide a little so the metal can expand and it will be easier to unscrew the bolt out.

Thank you all for the advice and taking the time to reply. Going to try some options listed and will make a cover with some dowels and tan cloth for now till I find what im looking for.

No I haven't heard of it but it sounds like you have a badly adjusted window rail. Had this issue wth another car, adjusted it and it was fixed.

I just bought my first used subie and need some parts. My first priority for security is to get a cargo cover for the back but need more interior parts. I have called all my local dealers and junkyards but no luck so far. It is a 2001 subaru outback legacy. I was wondering if there was a place other than ebay to find one so I dont have to open a pay pal acct that would have one. The advise would be apprecieated, thx.