skelly

Thanks! Next time need a repair, will try either Menta's or Fulmer's - close enough - and will post feedback.

And the name of the reputable shop? Thanks.

1997 Impreza 2.2L Got the engine oil changed at the dealer and they filled with twice as much oil! Didn't suspect anything until 200 miles later, when saw CEL. Took it to closest repair shop - Tires Plus - and they changed oil again - also said CEL problem unrelated and fixed it (so I wont go into details here). Question is - with a car this old (183K), I'm afraid they 'drowned' my car - what problems might I expect? Warmed up the car on Mon. and noticed flashing oil temp light - turned off engine, turned it on again, no flashing, so didn't get TCM code - sorry if this is a premature question, but when I drive, it's 130 miles at a time, and I don't want to get stuck. Thanks

Herb Gordon of Silver Spring gave me a quote of $570.00, including tax, to replace the rear wheel bearing (and hub) of my 1997 Impreza. Is this price reasonable? I was told it was priced at nearly 3 hours of labor. How urgent is this repair? I was told there was possibly a crack in the bearing. What are the usual causes - ie, going too fast over a speed bump with a back load, ie, some guy over-tightening the lug nuts during a tire change-over ... Thanks

Hi Gary - In an earlier exchange, you mentioned that you knew a mechanic in Caroll County, MD that is dependable, reliable, trustworthy, etc. and who would / could repair a spark plug thread in the most correct, economical fashion so helicoil would not be necessary. Could you please give me some contact information? Now for just increasing my overall knowledge: There was one post to this forum that recommended oxygen sensors be replaced after 5 years. Now that I have a steady code for the rear oxygen sensor (thanks to Autozone), and since it is the original, I am just trying to learn if these things go bad around 130K. In addition to regular maintenance schedule for timing belt, etc., I am wondering if additional parts need replacing: ie, 130K may be high mileage for some parts, but not overall for a Subie. For example, I still have original alternator- do these things have a life expectancy? Imprezza 2.2L EJ22 133K Thanks

Gary - in an early post, you mentioned a reliable mechanic in caroll county that is able to fix spark plug threads, if necessary. Currently my 97 Impreza has a helicoil. Now I need a tune-up, so might as well get everything fixed properly. Please supply contact information for this guy. Anybody else have suggestions? I live near silver spring, MD. Any location near King of Prussia, PA also OK. Thanks PS Have steady Engine code reading indicating oxygen sensor defective (rear). I have high mileage, 134K, so this repair is to be expected, right? Any suggestions regarding preventative maintenace at this mileage?

Here is the Code for my sporadic CEL (thanks to AutoZone): P0122 Says TP (Throttle Position) sensor Probable causes 1 - sensor open or shorted internally - replace component 2- Check connector and wiring to sensor The PCM has determined that the input from the throttle position sensor is lower than expected for the current engine operating conditions. NOTE- CEL not on at the time, and is 90 + here! (Also, Dealer did not use an OBDII) NOW what? (As a newbi- suspect #2). What additional symptoms, other than CEL, should I have noticed? Did I risk further damage to car while driving with CEL on? Thanks skelly

Need codes. Most likely its an O2 sensor.... Hi - Yes- will codes, but thought dealer already read them, so went ahead with long post ... with big question related to how soon codes must be read since is sporatic problem. After reading all the posts it does seem as if it's the O2 sensor (and most likely front), despite the fact that I'm getting terrific gas mileage. I am getting close to 28 mph highway (rarely use AC through lifetime of car). Is condition of O2 sensor something that can assess via an under-car inspection? Something the Multipoint checkup inspection missed? What additional problems am I inviting by driving a car with a bad O2 sensor? Anyway, for those who do all their own work, here's some satisfaction: Brought my car in for an oil change, and left after paying $420.00! The right front axel boot was torn, and they replaced the front axle shaft with a reconditioned one. Parts 225.00 Labor 180.00. HA! skelly

Getting the codes would help narrow down the issue... Dealer performed "multipoint vehicle checkup inspection" on July 25 and diagnostic tests included engine management codes, transmission management codes, and ABS system codes. All checked out "OK". I know I had sporadic CEL so was surprised they were unable to detect a code history. PS. Under-Car inspection (on lift) did not detect any leaks. HVAC operation/leaks/hoses checked and OK Dealer performed this inspection for free- I got lucky, I guess - but now I find myself second guessing them- and I am trying to locate a MD store that will read the codes- Thanks skelly Still

I have an 1997 Imprezza AT 2.2L EJ22 128K. The check engine light comes on sporadically. It seems related to a hot engine, but the temp. gauge is in the normal range. For the last 20K, it has been dealer serviced (Herb Gordon in MD)- and now the car is getting 5W30 synthetic oil rather than 10W30 oil. Lately I am also using 89 fuel, rather than the 87 fuel. Just wondering if there might be a relation to these two changes. I have original thermostat. I think water pump was changed with timing belt at 90K. Dealer flushed radiator at 120K, and present antifreeze color not indicative of any problems - no oil residue - and all fluid levels on target. All fans working (dealer did safety check and would have noticed if they weren't). I do have a helicoil for one spark plug and I wonder if it is coming loose after 30K. (Since GrossGary is in my neighborhood, I asked him to recommend a machine shop to properly take care of threads.) Seems unrelated to speed. No obvious leaks that I can detect - will place flat cardboard box under car for a double check. Right now to address problem I am doing idiot stuff, in part, because the timing belt was changed and the antifreeze does not indicate a problem, and in part because it is sporatic - idiot stuff like taking gas cap on/off (is it related to a full tank of gas?), putting hood up when at rest stop, and driving with heat on! which is a trial in these 90+ days (Maryland). Idiot stuff because I was able to drive my car on 3 cylinders when the spark plug originally blew (chose extra cleaning charge rather than tow charge). None of these actions seems associated with having it go off again. Driving habits such that rpm no more than 3: currently 2 1/2 hrs (150miles) 2X on I95 weekends (traffic willing, up to 75); and 30 min (25 miles) 2X on normal commute day (no more than 45). Any suggestions? Should I get a new radiator cap? Current cap looks/feels tight to me, and dealer probably would have noticed when flushed radiator anyway. Will Auto Parts Store be able to read check engine light code if it has gone off? If so, for how long after? Long Post, Thanks for any suggestions. skelly

For those of you who followed this earlier thread - Yes, at 93K with the original timing belt on a EJ2.2, I made it to S. Jersey and SVXPert replaced the belt, waterpump, thermostat, seals, etc. It's driving like a new car. I still had some confusion as to exactly what kind of engine I had, so I took it to my local dealer, Fitzgerald in Rockville, and Andy, the resident subaru expert, took a look under the hood and said Non-interfearence, Phase One, SOHC. Since SVXPert gave me the old parts, I checked the original timing belt, and the part number corresponded to the belt that's good for 105 miles! Was I lucky! And to my untrained eye, the belt still looked good! Since I have put on more than 1K since repair, I can now say Great Job SVXpert! Is there anything you can't do? I do get up to the Philly area at least once/year.

Does it make any sense to do a BG transmission power flush, and not change the filter? Is it easy to do on a 1997 Impreza Wagon? Thanks

Subies- I cross questioned Kelly Shinault and got an apology- and finally got an agreement with everybody on this message board! Replace at 60K and 120K. When SVXPERT gets a chance to look at my car next week, maybe I'll also know for sure if it is an interference or non-interference engine! Hope I get there! Going on 93K with the original timing belt and have this sense of urgency ...

Subies- I sent an e-mail to Kelly Shinault of Subaru America and finally got a response to the following question- What is the currently recommended mileage for timing belt replacement? Is this an "interfearence" engine? I have a 1997 Impreza Wagon VIN JF1GF ..... Engine Family VFJ2.2VJGKEK (2.2 liters, SFI) Engine Type EJ22ECX6FZ. Kelly's response "I have checked with a colleague of mine and your vehicle is a non-interference engine and your recommended interval for changing the timing belt is at 105,000 miles or months; whichever occurs first. .... You can even locate this information from Subaru.com!" So I go to Subaru web page, look at Specifications for North America, and see Camshaft drive belt, 2.2L engine, replace at 60 and 120 Miles. If I go Specifications for CA, I see replace at 105 miles. Subies - I'm still confused !! Help!

I have a 97 Subaru Impreza Wagon, Engine Family VFJ2.2VJGKEK (2.2 liters, SFI) Engine Type EJ22ECX6FZ with 92K and I need some advice if I'm going to try for the 200K club. I currently have a slight hesitation during acceleration. Car running beautifully over the years then suddenly I had a rough idle and an intermittent check engine light. I made an appointment with my independent garage, but got there too late. The engine blew a spark plug. I drove it to the garage (not where I had the spark plugs replaced). They said the threads in the cylinder were stripped and installed a Subaru kit. They also did a minor tune up, replaced all of the plugs, and cleaned out this and that- they said I shouldn't have driven the car after the spark plug blew. I drove the car for say 1000 miles and the spark plug held. I brought my car back to the same garage and they just did the 90K scheduled maintenance. However, this is the same garage that is saying I can wait until 105K to replace the timing belt for the first time. I called the Auto Rep at BBB and asked him if it was my fault the spark plug blew - since it hadn't been replaced in over a year. He said no. He said you only need to replace the spark plugs if you suspect a problem, and he's gone nearly two years without replacing plugs. He also said something to the effect that these things happen, and after a year, it doesn't indicate a problem with the garage. Nevertheless, I won't be going back to that garage. I'm wondering if the blown spark plug is symptomatic of another problem. Would appreciate some ideas. If it's any significance, the spark plug that blew was on the passenger side, rear plug. Car seems to be running fine, but not as good as before it blew a spark plug. Now there is some slight hesitation during acceleration for me to think more work needs to be done. I have scheduled timing belt replacement, etc. according to the advice I got from earlier posts. Anything else I should consider? Thanks