brus brother

OK I'm thoroughly confused. I have P0420 code - for bank 1 (passenger side in US) catalytic efficiency below threshold 1.) MY 05 Outback has a total of 5 sensors. Since my 05 Outback has one precat and one postcat sensor and then another on the rear cat after the passenger and drivers pipes meet, do I need to change all three at 130,000 miles and while I'm at it throw in the drivers side precat and postcat sensor just because?? 2.) Are any of these critical OEM? Dealer told me I needed a new cat (maybe 2). YIKES x 2!

5 sensors total. This will add up to a tidy sum... Would you use only oem on front two precat sensors? What brand if not oem? Also what brand for two postcat sensors and the one that sits on top of the rear cat?

GD, Don't mean to hijack post but I've had the 0420 code for a while on my 05 OB. This vehicle has two front (pre-cat) and two rear (post-cat) sensors and one more on the rear cat. I tried the antifouler on the passenger (post-cat) rear sensor without success as it caused a different code to be thrown (2096). I removed the antifouler and installed black tape over dash warning lights. ;-) I haven't gotten around to trying the antifouler on the driver's and passenger post-cat sensor. With 130,000 miles on the car, is it advisable to change out the front sensors as a routine maintenance item or would they have thrown a different code than 420. Hate to waste the $ if they aren't at fault. Also hate to kill the cat.

Got it from their website but will be calling a rep today. UPDATE: Thank you for contacting Castrol North America. Castrol always recommends following the guidelines of the original engine manufacturer for the recommended fluid for use in your specific application. This information can be found in the vehicles owner’s manual or by contacting the manufacturer directly. According to Castrol’s ATF guide recommended for the 2008 Subaru Outback is the Castrol Import Multi-Veh ATF or the Castrol Dex/Merc Domestic Multi-Veh ATF. Both Castrol Import Multi-Veh ATF and the Castrol Dex/Merc Domestic Multi-Veh ATF meet the Subaru specifications and may be used in your application. Please find the product data sheets for the two mentioned products for your personal reference. Thank you again for contacting Castrol. Castrol Consumer Relations

Found this Castrol data sheet for their Multi Import trans fluid. http://www.castrol.com/castrol/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_ImportMV.pdf All spec Subaru meet or exceed. $5.42/qt at local WalMArt Not bad IF compatible...

Did you replace O2 sensors (are there 2 as stated earlier?) and knock sensor or just O2 sensors?

List price $10 paid $8 per quart at my dealer here in CT today.:-\

Manual calls for Transmax J. Is there a WalMart substitute that does the trick? i.e. Castrol Multi Vehicle Import ATF made by BP says it exceeds JASO 1A and JWS 3309. Am I better off waiting until dealer opens tomorrow?

I went with WalMart as per car's rating on both of my 05 (OB and Legacy). It's cheaper than Autozone for same rating.

Like this?

OK to update, the airbag light on the dash board has been coming on (and going off) more frequently now. The horn and cruise control work when the light is on which from my reading seemed to eliminate clockspring. Yesterday when the light was on, I had the dealer read the code: 26 Passenger Airbag Indicator Failure. Tech told me to keep an eye out for when the light stayed on if the overhead console (by the center map lights) was still functioning as he has had to replace a number of these. Today, the lights were still functioning so the next possibility I'm told is something amiss in the seat belt tensioning mechanism/circuit for the passenger side. My understanding is that when the airbags deploy, an explosive charge in the seat belt mechanism is released to keep the passenger from kissing the airbag. Anyone have any idea where the connectors are located and how/if I should try and reseat the connectors? I would hate to have my monkeying around deploy the airbags. Apparently the dealer can test the mechanism by inserting a resistor in line?? I just thought I'd check the connector before going back to see if that solved the problem.

pun intended?

Snap trap (skull crusher) with peanut butter always worked for me and ant traps if the ants become a problem. Happy hunting.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1128610/ 3 M on sale at Amazon 9.95 after rebate. Wiping a few coats of liquid UV sealant available at Autozone etc. is a suggested way of prolonging the effects.

The best part of all of the above suggested methods is that you can do it without pulling the engine...

Check out ebay "headlight cleaner". There are kits for about $6 w/ free shipping or WalMart "headlight restoration" for about $15-20. They all work about the same. Mild abrasive/elbow grease and a sealant. You could try toothpaste/clear spray paint but kit would be cheaper. Be sure to mask off adjacent areas.

I've only used Subaru rebuild kits to repair broken boots on my original axles but perhaps someone here can recommend the preferred axle replacements so we don't see Uniberp here later asking about the various unwanted effects related to some aftermarket axles.

Here in CT local Autozone will loan two different versions of O2 wrenches. Give them a deposit and return to get your money back. As I recall, one has a swivel on it as well.

For the record, please describe. Did you just add Seafoam to the gas tank or did you feed it through one of the intake lines?

I've always wondered what you use that big friggin sledge hammer for that's lying in the engine bay.

Dealer said airbag light had to be ON and then they could read the code. Since it is intermittent, and usually goes off after I restart the car, this is going to be a matter of timing it just right since the dealer isn't close to my home and it only happens once in a while. Found this: Airbag codes can only be read and system cleared with an Asian Airbag specific scanner. The only non-dealer scan tool we have found available for these vehicles is the Launch Scanner line.

3yr/36,000 mile warranty puts me over at 56K miles. I will see if I can find where the connector is. Does the OBDII reader tell you airbag fault locations?

2008 OB 56k miles. On occasion the dash airbag light stays on. After I turn the ignition off/on, the light will be off. Car never had any accident or damage. Any ideas for diagnosis?

Agreed! Let the dealer replace the catalytic converter if that is what is needed (code is usually for bank 1, i.e. passenger side, below efficiency). It's not a cheap fix. Subaru mechanic suggested to me that damage to the cat is related to the ethanol additive in the gas but do you get that additive in Fla.?

Here's a link to the engine section of the USMB repair manual. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=44 Yes there is a particular sequence to torquing the bolts so read a lot before you wrench a little. Almost forgot, welcome to the site. You will find some talented members who are very generous with their knowledge but it is best to use the search function and a Haynes manual may be of help.