glee29

Changing the front O2 sensor is very easy. But you definitely need to get the OEM sensor. It is just PnP simple! I got my front sensor from the dealer for about $78.

The CEL in my 2002 OBW (AT) came on couple times last week and the code read P0138 (O2 sensor-High Voltage-Bank 1 Sensor 2). I have Borla headers with Stromung cat-back and mid-pipe installed over a year ago. To avoid O2 sensor problems, I also installed a spacer in the rear O2 sensor. Any idea? Would replacing the sensor (front or rear) get rid of the problem? Thanks :-\

My 02 OBW is running fine but couple days ago, when I turned the key, nothing happened. I knew what was the culpit because the same thing happened one month ago. I opened the hood and with a screw driver, I scrapped the white flakey corrosion from the positive post. Once it had juice flowing through the car started right up. My question is with that much corrosion build-up in one month, which is at fault here, battery or electrical system? Do I need to replace the OEM battery? I have since applied some corrosion resistent grease to post posts to keep the corrosion from building up. Any ideas?

From what I have gathered reading some of the discussions here on USMB is that the early Phase II 2.5 engines are having driver side head gasket problems. Later Phase II engines (mid '02 models onward) seem to fair better. There is a new bulletin out (Feb '04) from SOA to all the dealers to add some kind of conditioner in the coolant system to help the situation. http://usmb.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10602 With my '02 OBW, it seems too late for the conditioner. But I just hope that this better well be my last time replacing the gasket. Even the service manager apologized to me on the phone today for this chronic problem.

It is really hard to believe. First a bit of a history on my '02 OBW Limited. Around 20,000 miles (i.e. last winter), it suffered the dreaded external head gasket leakage (driver side head). Spent a whole week in the dealer's garage. It was a sad sight seeing your whole new engine block sitting on the work bench. Since then, it has been running great until a week ago. I started smelling the infamous burnt antifreeze while the wagon is at idle. Called the dealer today and will bring the Subie in tomorrow morning for a check. The service manager told me on the phone that it is not uncommon to have the HG leakage again. That is not very comforting. The reason why I have a Subie in the first place is because of three factors. 1. Safety-AWD 2. Reliability-an urban myth? 3. Exclusivity-it is not another Toyota!!! Even though I assume the repair will still be under warranty, I am not happy about it at all. SOA should start recalling all early '02 Subies with this early Phase II 2.5 engines. I really don't think just by adding some "snake oil" anti-freeze additive from SOA will cure the problem. I am not looking forward to bringing it in every 20,000 miles or every winter to have the head unscrewed!!!! glee29 :banghead:

My 02 OB Wagon (manufactured in 06/01) had the driver side head gasket leakage at around 20K in early 2003. It took the dealer three days to fix the problem and all that time I was driving a loaner Taurus. That particular week we had more than a foot of snow in Ohio. Guess what? I got stuck in snow:mad: I don't know if that is a hardware problem (i.e. gasket design or warp head) or poor workmanship (i.e. Friday afternoon syndrome). But I was totally surprised by such early failure. Good news is, my OBW is running fine and no more burnt smell Gordon