ThosL Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 My 1997 Subaru Outback limited is getting a little tired, burning some oil at 292,000. I started using 20W50 oil and Lucas stop leak. I've done body work, changed out parts; had an exhaust leak in the last few days I was able to address with parts store high heat epoxy and wraps. I have been using it as a work vehicle. Here are three I checked out on CL: https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/d/putnam-valley-2002-subaru-outback-h6-30/7372165334.html https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/d/garnerville-1990-subaru-loyale-wagon/7371349596.html https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/d/new-rochelle-2002-subaru-forester/7368939567.html The challenge with used Subarus that pop up for sale on CL is to find one that is a good deal. Any recommendations on searching? How do dealers do it? Johnny on the spot with cash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Tough up here right now. Folks don’t let them go so fast these days. I do the same thing you’re doing. But to be honest we got lucky with our last two cars bought front a friend and the other from a longtime neighbor. One thing I like to do on Craigslist is select All in For Sale and then type Subaru in the search. Saves bouncing around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 I'd avoid dealer sales, high retail usually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Have Cash be ready to buy. Good ones go Fast! Get one from a rust Free State. I post good ones I see in CO on the USMB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 9:30am - 2:00pm is the “old lady out and about” time. They’re hitting the hairdresser, groceries, doctor , you get the idea. And you live in New Canaan. If you can make time during that period you do the old leave a note method. I’ve gotten at least three I can vividly recall using that method , and sometimes maybe a face to face encounter too. Got a decent Brat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 2 hours ago, moosens said: 9:30am - 2:00pm is the “old lady out and about” time. They’re hitting the hairdresser, groceries, doctor , you get the idea. And you live in New Canaan. If you can make time during that period you do the old leave a note method. I’ve gotten at least three I can vividly recall using that method , and sometimes maybe a face to face encounter too. Got a decent Brat. I knew a guy who would, on major purchases recommend the trick with the check written out and cut in half, good for a half hour. So let say someone wants $3000, write the check for $2000 and tell him he has a half hour to make up his mind. Old lady creampuffs are hard to find. An old Hippie lady might be driving one in northern New England, but we don't have many Hippies around here, mainly corporate fascists, or as my brother says, smiling assassins... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 How was the 2002 Forester when it gets over 220K miles? Did those have HG issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 12 hours ago, ThosL said: How was the 2002 Forester when it gets over 220K miles? Did those have HG issues? mine had head gaskets done around 80-85K according the report... i bought it with 214K and it now has close to 269K on it, still going fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 (edited) My 2002 Forester EJ251 (which I bought new) gradually seeped oil from the head gaskets. Nothing major, but it did require occasional top-up. Lower left-side was the worst. At 140,000 miles I had the engine out to replace the clutch, and put in MLS HGs at the same time. Since then (about 5-years), the HGs have been tight, not even a hint of seepage. Edited September 14, 2021 by forester2002s 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 I'm getting a couple codes on the 2002 Forester; evaporative system leak and gas cap. I'm going to try to pass emissions in CT. Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 (edited) If the cap is on tight, then get new Subaru gas cap. Subarupartsforyou.com is located at Dan Perkins dealership in Milford. Order on line, wait for confirmation and then pickup at counter with no shipping cost and online pricing. use code reader/eraser like THIS erase codes then do the sequence for setting system readiness. It's posted here somewhere. I think here in CT we can get away with one "not ready" and still pass. I had the P0420 through 4 emissions inspections by clearing the code, doing the dance and then straight to testing site. Edited September 28, 2021 by brus brother 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 possible rusted-thru filler neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 Not sure it was throwing the P0420 evaporative system issue, was a little loose. I'll try to run it through emissions later, I know a shop that passed my Outback which was a challenge with the cat converter issue. My brother said the guy belongs in an institution to have passed it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 2 hours ago, ThosL said: Not sure it was throwing the P0420 evaporative system issue, was a little loose. I'll try to run it through emissions later, I know a shop that passed my Outback which was a challenge with the cat converter issue. My brother said the guy belongs in an institution to have passed it.... P0420 is actually cat converter gremlin. I was just using that as an example of my issue and the sequence I used to pass CT emissions for 8 years running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 I went into inspection after resetting the computer, it was not ready so failed. Later drove around and CEL came up. I got an evaporative emissions canister vent valve code at Auto Zone, said it is a $90 or so part, probably available a lot cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 (edited) The beauty of having your own code reader is that you can do the driving sequence to get the systems "ready" and then scurry over for the inspection. Where are you located? Are you following the below procedure? Do you have a code reader? I will be in Milford tomorrow late afternoon. PM me if you need to try my reader. It's an older version than the one i linked earlier but it will do what you need which is to erase the codes and then verify systems ready after following the below procedure before you go back for inspection. Check the price of the part you are looking for at SubaruPartsForyou.com and realize that if you order online you can pickup in Milford without shipping charges. Often just as cheap as AZ or Advance. Edited September 28, 2021 by brus brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 I'm ironically in New Canaan, how about ordering the part that AZ said I needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 I'm in Weston. Retired so stop by in the morning if you want to borrow the reader? Send me a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 Thanks for the offer. The code I was getting was p1443, does anyone have a link to a good source for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 LINK Bunch of videos listed doing a Google search "P1443 subaru" what 'tis and how to repair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 BTW, what failed in the inspection? Was it just system readiness? Did they tell you to just drive around and come back? Ask them if it is true in CT that you can have one "not ready?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share Posted September 29, 2021 Yeah, the code came up later. I went to Auto Zone where other owners were trying to find what the CEL meant on their cars. One guy had a 97 Mazda with an EGR code that is affecting performance. I advised him to join the Mazda online forum and try to clean out his EGR with carb cleaner, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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