Thought this might be a good diagnostic thread if any techs see same problem on the same type of car post it here. If i come axross the problem on more than 4 cars will post it .

This can be a good start Had 4   01- 03 outbacks five speeds all expanded center diffs. Fix was to install the awd center diff from 95-99 five speed. Is stronger awd unit. Heres one more had 4 97-99 imprezas with broken coged idler and bent valves fix 16 valves and coged idler /timing belt. Had 4 -8 99-03 outbacks with leading rear trailing arm front bushing hamered out fix press in new bushing. And so on the more imput the better

Any 2.5L with head gasjet failure: remove heads, have both heads and block decks machined and install OEM head gasket. Gasket issues will stay away for the next 120.000 miles.

This has been my experience with '86 to '89 GL, and GL10s. While recycling one or just tearing it all apart, I find roaches..

 

Doug

Edited September 20, 201312 yr by Quidam

Bees' nests in ea82 mirrors and gas tank lids. I think bugs are attracted to the shape. It's like the beetles in australia going extinct because they keep mating with discarded beer bottles.

Edited September 20, 201312 yr by MilesFox

Or the reverse shim on early five speeds to make reverse 70 % stronger i do every DR i biuld i get them made up 20 at a time. Heres a good one 03-09 2.5 turbos breaking the oil PU tube off and wiping out bottom end. One more 99-04 2.51s cly head droping ex valve giudes check all ex valve guide height. They sell a slightly biger guide that can be pressed in place of stock ones. And so on

06 outback 2.53 engines leaking coolant thru headbolt into oil pan and coolant geting into oil unoticed and pcv pulls water out but leaves coolant deposits in oil riuning oil and damaging engines. Fix change headgaskets plane heads kms 145000 km 135000kms 160000kms 194000kms and 155000kms all fail very close to same milage all had leak thru headbolt bottom DS and PS top coner bolt

On the same batch of outbacks the front lower control arm rear bushings were pounded out loose in arm fix press new one in alows the arm to float and causes klunks