mrfeh

Hi folks. I've got a '99 Legacy Outback, and over the last few months, I've noticed a knocking/rattling noise after the car is started, until the engine warms up. I've done some searching, and read about piston slap in the 2.5 engine. Sounds like what I've got. I just wanted to verify that this noise is something that comes along with age; the engine has a little over 100K miles on it, and I've never heard this noise until the last few months. The engine seems to run fine; it's just noisy at startup. I'd rather not take it in to a shop if it's not necessary. Thanks!

It's never had a tune up. I replace everything according to the owner's manual, so the parts mentioned above were all replaced last year (except the plug wires, which I believe were replaced at 60K). So, given that the parts have been serviced properly, am I looking at a tune up? Thanks!

I'm wondering if my car needs a tuneup, as it doesn't get the same kind of mileage it did when new... I've got a '99 Outback, 2.5 liter. It get driven almost exclusively on country roads, cruising along from 50-60 MPH. Not exactly interstate driving, but definitely not city stop/go either. I get anywhere from 21 (winter) to 26 (summer). IIRC, that range used to be more like 25-29 when the car was new. I replaced the O2 sensors last year, and that didn't help. It has 95K miles on it. Is this the mileage I should expect, or is it time for a tuneup? New timing belt? Thanks.

I've got 90,000 miles on my Outack, and I'm assuming it's time (or past time) to replace the O2 sensor(s). My mileage isn't what it used to be, and I'm thinking the sensors aren't functioning. Anyway, could somebody tell me where the O2 sensors are on the 2.5 engine? I think I went hunting for them last year and found one of them, but not both. Are they difficult to reach and replace? Thanks.

Thanks for the replies folks. Always good to know what the issue is before taking the car in!

Hi folks. I have a '99 Outback that had its heater core replaced a few months ago. I know that as part of that work the A/C system was tweaked, since the refrigerant had to be replaced. Anyway, a couple weeks ago was the first time I used the A/C since that repair (I live in WI). When the A/C is turned on, the car surges; about once a second, the RPMs drop and then recover, resulting in an annoying jerking motion of the car. I can also hear a fairly faint clicking sound from under the dash each time the RPMs drop. Any mechanics out there that could guestimate what's causing this? Thanks.

I need a replacement heater core for my 99 Outback. Is this a dealer only part, or could I get it from a local parts store? Thanks!

I've read it only takes a very small leak to cause the windows to fog up, so I don't know if there would necessarily have to be an obvious drop in coolant level. They only fog up when the defroster is on, and then it's where the defroster vents blow on the windows. It definitely has to do w/ the air being blown out of the vents and not a general condition of the air within the car.

Hi folks. I've got a 99 Outback; 3 or 4 days ago, the interior windows started to fog up badly, accompanied by a bad smell. It appears as though coolant is condensing on the windows. Engine temperature is fine, and the coolant level is full. So, I'm thinking it's a leaking heater core. I'm wondering if there are any other problems that could cause the same symptoms? Thanks.