tfarm

I've tried seafoam. no difference.

I give up...How many?

'97 Outback ltd. 2.5l engine with 135K miles. Tbelt, cam seals, and ignition coil and plugs were replaced at 125K. Car idles very rough and kicks on CEL with misfire code on #1. With the AC on there is no rough idle. Swapped two fuel injectors and seemed to be a little better but didn't solve the rough idle. Mechanic said it could be electrical or it could be that the heads need to be rebuilt. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. Thanks, Jr.

Interesting thread. I'm having a similar problem with my '97 OB Legacy wagon, 2.5L. Engine has 132K, just changed the Tbelt, ignition coil, plugs and wires at 128K but the CEL is back on and sometimes flashes. It had a real rough idle and I used Seafoam (last night) which seemed to have cleared it up bit I've only un it 20 miles. I reset the CEL by pulling the battery negative. The light came right back on flashing at first then solid. I'm tired of spending money on this engine light. Any other cheap suggestions?

Yeah, that might help. It's a 1997 Legacy Outback Wagon Limited.

Thanks for the response but what is Seafoam and where can I get a can? Sounds like it's worth a try. It doesn't always idle rough just sometimes. Tom

I need all four too. Are they easy to replace myself?

Hi, I'm courious if anyone can shead some light on my flahing 'check engine' light. Sometimes it's solid and just yesterday it went off for the whole day. The car has a real low idle and rocks at a stop light. I just recently had the head gasket and the ignition coil and plugs and wires replaced but the light came back on. The dealership will check it again at $70 and tell me what else they can do for several hundred more $. They think it might be bad or bent valves and said that would run about $1800. I'm mechanically inclined and wonder if there is anything I can try first. And, if it comes to it, I also wonder if I can take the head off myself and send it to a shop to have the valves replaced, then put it back on myself. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Tom