Petox4

Hello all, About 9 months ago the CEL popped on, so I took it to the dealer and they said it was a P303 code...misfire on cylinder 3. They could not duplicate the problem and cleared the code and sent me home. Everything was fine until about 2 months ago. The CEL popped on again...same code...couldn't duplicate problem....sent me home. Well, it popped on within a couple of days. Back I go (this is getting expensive at $56 a pop) and this time they said it could be caused by a sticky valve which stays open just a hair too long or something at higher rpms, and to fix it it would be like $1500. They didn't give me exact details. Well, they turned it off again, but it was back on the next day. This time I was at a stoplight and wasn't going anywhere when it turned on. This time I had AutoZone check the code, and it was the P303 again. The guy felt sorry for me and let me clear the code while he wasn't looking. It was off for a few more days, but the CEL came back on again while at another stop light. I have noticed since this whole P303 started that my subie doesn't like to accelerate up hills very fast (like getting on the highway). It takes a while just crawling up the hill and once I'm over 30 or 40 mph, it seems to be okay. I just had the fuel filter replaced about a week ago and it is a lot better, but definetly not normal. Sometimes it is okay though. Could this be related to the P303? I have not felt anything like a misfire and the engine runs great. I am just really frustrated by the CEL being on all the time and am wondering if there are some other things that could be going on to cause a P303 code. There have never been any other codes with it. Thanks! BTW, I have a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L with 125K. I also have high milage oil in the car and use midgrade gasoline.

Thanks for everyone's advice! It seems that the parking break is connected in a way that my friend was familiar with, so I haven't changed the wheel bearing yet because he doesn't want to mess anything up. He did call around town (I live in a pretty small city) and the prices were still pretty high, even if we provided all the parts. It looks like it might just go back to the dealer and get the rear brakes done at the same time since the pads are at 10% or less.

I have a 1997 Legacy Outback with approx. 125k miles on it. Bought it used a year ago with great service records and it is just starting to have some issues. The dealer didn't actually speak with me about it, but just told my partner that the wheel bearing should be replaced soon. There is a pulsating humming-type noise that is noticable, (but not loud by any means), coming from the rear driver's side of the car, but it seems to be quieter below 50 mph and above 65 mph. I do not believe that the dealer said that the hub or anything else had been damaged, just that it was going to go out soon, so we should get it fixed.

Hello, My Subaru dealer told me that my left rear wheel bearing is going...and should be replaced. His estimate was over $300 and was hoping to save some money by having a friend (who is an experienced mechanic) do it. The problem is that I don't know if I need to purchase the whole wheel bearing assembly hub or just the bearing. What is your experience in replacing wheel bearings? Thanks!