Hey so I was looking around online last night and came across an 05 3.0 outback ll bean wagon with some high miles on it. 230k

I know subarus 2.2 and 2.5 are really reliable... 2.2 practically indestructible but am unsure of the 3.0 with that many miles. I has been a one owner car with regular maintenance supposedly so I would expect it to be in decent shape but was curious to whether anybody had any input for things to look out for.

Also is this timing belt or chain... If chain does it need to be serviced with this many miles?

Do these have head gasket issues? And how reliable are the transmissions in these things.

It was stated that these were all highway miles which in turn should mean the engine and trans could be rather reliable but just looking for a little input.

Thanks

Greg

Chain and it could go to 400k without needing any service. Things to listen for, chain slap on cold starting and loud tensioners. 

 

As for the head gasket, they happen.. But probably more often with the ez20 (non-r).

H6's are excellent engines, much prefer them over the EJ25.

no headgasket issues like the EJ25 - but they are not free from headgasket failures.

they easily see 300k and are timing chains, not belts.

no maintenance required on the chain and no issues.  some early (01 and maybe some 02's) had timing chain guide noise...that's it.

 

replace the serpentine belt pulley bearings (two of them) immediately when you buy the car.  they have certainly failed or been replaced already for sure, they are notoriously problematic.  the bearings are only $10 each, or $20 each for aftermarket pulleys that fit, or $200 for Subaru stuff and they only take about 30 minutes, maybe an hour for a first timer.

 

if they haven't been done do valve cover gaskets and spark plugs at the same time - the spark plugs are an enormous job on this motor and much easier with the valve covers removed.

 

transmissions are fine, change all the fluids and possibly the fitler - it's in the drivers side fender and about $30 from Subaru.

 

outside of that - these things have no common issues really.

 

i saw that one, indicators all look good for $3,900.  the better the deal the quicker they disappear particularly doing tax season. 

Edited March 16, 201412 yr by grossgary