Hi All,

 

So I have this 99 Outback wagon that I love, but I have a few concerns.

 

This is what I have,

 

1) Wierd speedo problem. Check!

 

2) Piston slap. Check!

 

3) Blown head gaskets. God I hope not!

 

How do I identify which series of motor this car has? It is a 2.5 with an auto trans.

 

What is the life expectancy of these motors with the piston slap issue? Where can I get a replacement or rebuildable core? and does the motor have to come out to do head gaskets on it?

 

Thanks for your time and I look forward to chatting with all,

Billy

Hi All,

 

So I have this 99 Outback wagon that I love, but I have a few concerns.

 

This is what I have,

 

1) Wierd speedo problem. Check!

Can't help you on that one. What is it doing?

 

2) Piston slap. Check!

I had that too (97 OB). My new engine is better, but it's still there. Other than the noise, it doesn't seem to really do any damage. As long as it goes away when warmed up!

 

3) Blown head gaskets. God I hope not!

Been there, done that. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

How do I identify which series of motor this car has? It is a 2.5 with an auto trans.

Unless you have a really oddball setup, you will have the Phase I engine (DOHC). Just look at the timing belt covers. You can tell from that.

 

What is the life expectancy of these motors with the piston slap issue? Where can I get a replacement or rebuildable core? and does the motor have to come out to do head gaskets on it?

As I said above, piston slap alone doesn't seem to kill these engines. www.ccrengines.com is the place to go for a rebuilt engine. The engine does not have to come out to do that head gaskets.

 

Commuter

Thanks for the reply.

 

The speedo problem is the same as OBW99 had and has been addressed in another post. I will get to fixing it here soon. It just quites working, intermitently.

 

I have 96k on this car right now and I was really hoping to get 200k out of it. I guess I will just play it by ear.

 

Thanks again,

Billy

My 98 O/B has the worst case of piston slap you've ever heard !! It's also got 200,000+ kms on it...so far so good.

 

It leaks oil from a bunch of different places but that's a good sign. When it stops leakin' I'll be worried.

Thanks Chip,

 

 

I have noticed the start of a couple oil leaks, but nothing major just yet.

 

Later,

Billy