Glad to find this forum. Just happen to come across a 1997 subaru legacy outback. Got it home. Cant open the hood. Used the pull tab by my feet and cable doesn't seem to be broken. Can i get to the latch outside? My first time with a subaru.

silly question, but did you pull up on the hood after pulling the lever? mine releases but does not pop up. I just pull it up, release the safety and open it up. You should be able to see the cable and movement through the grill.

having a helper pull the release while you are looking at things can be helpful.. but yeah, not all of them "pop" up.. they will only move very slightly, then just lift and release the safety catch..

others may need a helping hand pushing downward (too tight) while the release is pulled by a helper

 

When one won't pop up I slide a bic lighter under a front corner, pops open every time.

Boy do I feel Silly.  Pushed down on hood a couple of times then pulled hood up. Then went back to release lever in car and back to hood and a little tug and it came right up.

First thing I did was check fluids. All ok. But coolant reserve container was  empty. Should I be worried?

give us more details on the car - miles, trans,  condition, etc.

here's some very brief areas of concern;

early DOHC engines often had headgaskets fail internally - comb. chamber into coolant. (hope major coolant issue isn't why the o'flow bottle is empty)

tires should always be identical or AWD problems can develop - some severe. (same brand/model/size - it matters)

it's easy for folks to be confused and drain/fill incorrect fluids.

many, not all, but many parts need to be OEM or equivalent. (a:f sensors, spark plugs and wires, thermostat, rad,.cap, and axles if possible)

2.5 is an interference engine and timing belt SYSTEM needs to be 'properly' serviced every 105K miles or 105months according to the manual.

Edited December 7, 20187 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

28 minutes ago, 1 Lucky Texan said:

tires should always be identical or AWD problems can develop - some severe. (same brand/model/size - it matters)

Further to this, all travelled the same distance, meaning when it’s time for tyres, replace ALL FOUR. Do not do the replace two, put the best two on the rear trick that you can do with 2wd vehicles.

Cheers 

Bennie

Edited December 7, 20187 yr by el_freddo