crowheart

Does anyone know of a good Subaru mechanic (not a dealership) in the NW suburbs of Chicago? I have a 2001 Impreza 2.2 LTR that is going to need some work. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks...

My concern is I wonder if he actually changed it. How long do these belts go before they sna? What are the consequences? Can I find out if it was actually changed?

Yes I just found out. I guess I got ripped from a shop I have been using for quite a while. Can it be determined if the belt was actually changed? This shop is micro-managed by a former Subaru dealership mechanic. He knows the schedule. I screwed up and just thought that the schedule was the same as my 96 Legacy 2.2 which is every 60,000 miles. I got to hunt for another Subaru mechanic now. I am frigging pissed.

Yikes, I changed it according to my 96 Legacy 2.2 schedule. The experieced Subaru mechanic neglected to tell me. I wonder if they even changed it. The shop is run by an experienced former Subaru dealership mechanic. Is there any way of determing if the original belt is still on there? I feel like I have been hosed. I do have the receipt of the timing belt supposedly being changed. I guess that would be ammunition if the belt snaps( I don't want that though).

I have over 108,000 miles on this car( plus a used trans installed:mad:) I was wondering how urgent is it to get the timing belt replaced at 120,000 miles( I replaced the original at 61,000 miles. I guess my point is I am not sure if I want to pay for the service if I will eventually sell this car. I don't plan on keeping it past 10 years. I had a 96 Legacy Wagon 2.2 that was great for 11 years, just basic upkeep (replaced it with a 2009 Mazda 3 Hatch). At 12 years the car just seemed to fall apart and it became a major headache and money pit. Any suggestions or advise on the timing belt change would be greatly appreciated. thanks...

Anyone?

Does anyone know of a reliable non-dealer shop in the Chicago metro area to do work on Subaru's? Thanks...

I am looking to replace my 1996 Legacy Wagon with a newer used Subaru. Can anyone tell me what year models to avoid because of engine problems with the 2.5? I have heard there are major issues with these engines.

And they never really gave me the codes...For some reason they didn't come up...I told them what I found...I have no idea....

5 dead solenoids...Not Turns out that wasn't the case. Now they don't know what is wrong. Thet put new trans fluid in, cleared the codes and took the car for a spin. It is shifting and driving normaly. I spent all day in the shop cost me 162.00 and no real resolution. Funny thing is they assumed the solenoids were dead because they couldn't get them to click by applying a charge. ( I don't know) When the new solenoids came in from the part store they tried to get those to click as well and they didn't(still don't know). At that point I was ready to leave, which I did... Very scary experience here...I have used this shop for years....Owner of shop is a former subaru mechanic.. This mistake could have cost me greatly....

I have been told that 5 of the 7 solenoids in the trans are dead! How can that happen? Some kind of eletrical surge? Need some help here afraid I am going to end up spending big bucks.

Thanks for the help. I will get up in the morning and get the CEL code pulled at autozone. Thanks again...

We think it is code 77. I had my wife count it as well. I will autozone autozone read the code for the CEL. I want to be armed with facts before I go to the shop.

Counting the flashing AT light to get the DTC is a bit difficult. It's possible the code is 77 which would be the lock-up duty solenoid detects open or shorted signal circuit Any ideas? anyone?

Sorry about the double post but I realized I put to much info in my first post....I apologize.. New to the forum hoping to get some advice here. I just pulled the TCM code for my flashing AT Oil Temp light. I used a method that counts the flashes long and short(the shifting etc,etc). Anyway the code I came up with is 76. From my research this means the 2-4 brake duty solenoid detects open or shorted signal circuit. I do not understand cars. I am just trying to know what I am dealing with so I can make an informed decision and not get ripped off. If you can explain this in somewhat non-technical terms as far as the possible solution and cost I would greatly appreciate it thanks... Also the light does not flash when I first start the car. The Check Engine Light is now on all the time as well.