brus brother

HOHIEU covers it pretty well. You didn't say when the plugs were changed last, but time and an overly aggressive tightening on last change will present as a remarkably stubborn plug to remove. Controlled force will save your knuckles. When removing the wires, (do one at a time) remember to grab the boot and not the wire and wiggle it side to side as you pull. Anti-seize grease on the spark plug threads will make subsequent replacement a breeze. I have had best luck using NGK plugs as spec in manual. Deep socket with rubber insert and duct taped to the extension is a good tip. There were certain SOA model years where you needed to be a contortionist to access the plugs. Hope your's is an easy one or you are limber. On my 2000, and as HOHIEU recommends, I remove the air intake ducting and windshield washer reservoir as a few minutes and screw removal makes it so much more accessable.

I hope you put the FWD fuse in while you are peddling around with one lame foot!? If not you may be damaging the AWD system. If uncertain, read the manual for this and other related issues such as speed when using the spare tire.

Actually, I am more dubious of explanations "from a vette board". Can you really trust the reasoning abilities of someone who would buy a car that considers off-roading as the ground clearing ability to negotiate the entrance to a driveway? I guess that would more aptly be considered nano-off-roading.

University of Queensland physicists have invented a permanent coating technology that will prevent your spectacles, car windscreen or bathroom mirror fogging up ever again. As XeroCoat also cuts out unwanted reflections from glass, it lets more light through and improves thus the performance of solar cells and glasshouses.The technology is based upon thin films of nano-porous silica; this means that the coating is a layer of glass full of tiny invisible bubbles, just like the foam on beer. The whole production process is extremely simple, low-cost and environmentally friendly, which will make the use of solar energy cheaper and more effective. From Innovations Report.

Try this as a test of the laws of physics: Ever notice how your bathroom mirror fogs up when you run the shower? Clean... and I mean clean your bathroom mirror and note that absent the particles of dirt for the water molecules to attach to, it takes much longer for any fogging to develop. I guess the RainX products similarly change the surface tension. Now, as Nipper claims he has tried to rid his windows of a likely cuprit (outgassing products from plastic) with no success, then perhaps more experimentation with cleaners is in order to determine the proper solvent. We're not talking rocket surgery... err brain science...

Install the fuse in the FWD socket as grossgary suggests and see what happens.

Nipper, Cougar... where are you? It's after 9AM. Must we direct this question to a call center in Bangalore?? Press 1 for Nipper...

Did he notice whether both bulbs went out simultaneously (relay/switch) or possibly one bulb was out but undetected until the other died? . Go have breakfast out on the pier there in Santa Cruz and by then, someone else here will hopefully chime in with more technical info.

Precisely. You could test it and I guess if it rattles when you shake it, it may still be operative. Change it to ensure things remain as you describe (no fumes, smoke, runs well). Cheap insurance for $4+.

Reports have it that SOA will be unceremoniously retiring that godawful propeller grill released last year. Other good things may come.

I've often thought this procedure should be a sticky.

Liberty Subaru also goes by DiscountParts.com (if you ask). Did you get the "discount" price or the full screw price?

You say that you don't hear the noise in loaner cars. Apples to apples, is the lousy acceleration the same or different in loaner cars? With the new alignment is the noise gone? If loaners (06 I presume) behave differently and more to your liking, ask them to replace your car (under threat of the Lemon Law if necessary) with a similar car with similar mileage that doesn't behave badly. Let them use your car as a loaner for themselves. No reason you should get stuck with the runt of the liter. SOA replaced my new car under even less obvious circumstances. It's not like you are asking for your money back, just getting what you assume you paid for. BTW, I much prefer the handling of my 2000 Legacy GT Auto than my 05 Outback Auto (which feels like I am steering a small sailboat) but I guess the accerelation is about the same when I stomp on it. Is it possible that the older cars you and others mention may be lighter than these new fangled models?

That is correct.

Is it your wallet that is being flushed and drained? Why don't you wait until you see how they treat you over the latest "work" to decide if you need such "premium" service going forward. As an earlier post questioned, it sounded from the description that you needed valve cover gaskets. This relatively simple and inexpensive procedure would not have necessitated removing the engine or doing the head gaskets.

But unless you really put some distance driving, wouldn't you still be covered under the 3 year/ 36,000 mile warranty anyway?

Check out PartsTrain.com. I've ordered mirrors before and where the dealer wanted $100+, aftermarket was about $25 NO JOKE and it fit great. They always have a $5 coupon off floating around the website. Call them and give them whatever part # is specified by SOA. This is a legit source. Comes well packaged and wrapped in a felt bag... felt bag is suitable for regifting at the holidays. P.S. Electric connector was right inside that trangular area I mentioned earlier.

The easiest way to remove it is to drive even closer to whatever chipped it in the parking lot. OK enough wise cracks, if there is a triangular piece on the inside of where the mirror meets the door, gently pry this loose and you will see 3 nuts that hold the mirror on. If there is a speaker there, remember how the nuts attach to the speaker. Diassemble and reassemble. And remember... don't pay retail!

OR... tighten that puppy back up return to the scene of the crime and stand in disbelief when that local shop has problems undoing their old "work".

Don't know what your issues are but my post was meant as a compliment of the photo "shots" and the fact that you do use your Subaru in an adventurous manner. The rest is in your head.

The shots are great. I'd venture a guess that the majority of off-roading done with Subarus is waiting on the side of the road for AAA to change a tire. You're a lucky man... err woman... err Subarian to have access to such natural beauty.

Autozone sells cheap aftermarket hatch struts. You are from NJ? Subaru Discount Parts operates out of Liberty Subaru in NJ and you should be able to get a discounted price on genuine parts if you ask for the discount parts price.

I second Olnick. Not only did you pay your money but Subaru of America paid as well for the head gasket aspect SO, they too have an interest in having had the work performed well. It may be something as simple as the air box containing the air filter closed correctly... let them figure it out.

Nippy, can I get one of these mine sweepers as an option on my 05? Seriously, there are defects in anything made by man. That having been said, a neighbor's 05 turbo OB was in the shop within weeks after purchase, so often and for so long that SOA gave him a brandy new car, paid for his rentals and extended the replacement car's warranty to 6 year 100,000 as a good will gesture to assure him that SOA believes in their product and acknowledged that his experience was an aberration. You have nothing to lose by asking for serious consideration. The warranty is a reasonable request (I got one for free in settlement of a similar dispute) since if they really believe in their product, it should cost them nothing and buy back your confidence:headbang:.

I know what you mean but I think the 01 is the newer style refrigerant that seems to blow warmer anyway. I recall reading (may be a myth) that R134 is more corrosive than R12 therefore more prone to causing leaks.