Hi all, I'm new to the board and am looking for a Sacramento area mechanic. I have an aggravating oil leak on a 99 Outback that needs fixing. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Dan

Stan Steele at Diamond RV Storage in Diamond Springs is a great mech and low-cost, but may not be willing to tear into a suby that deep. He;s primarily a toyota guy.

 

Try Hangtown Foreign Car Service in Placerville. They're more expensive, but Joe is a top notch tech.

 

It is likely that the front main seals are leaking. My 86 hatchback had that problem, and my 98 Outback did the same thing.

 

At 80-100K miles, you should have the timing belt replaced, the water pump replaced and the front seals replaced. They have to take the front of the engine all apart to do the timing belt, so you might as well have the rest of the work done while they're in there. Water pump is about $40 and the seals (I think there are 5) are about $8 each = so another $40, if the work is done at the same time as the tb. If done separately, it's anothe 3-4 hours of labor - see my point?

 

Also - have your valve clearance checked at the same time, or within a couple of months of having the timing belt changed - about 100k.

 

I had Hangtown do all for me at once on my '98 - plus they like to do new plugs, wires etc. - normal tune up stuff. The whole shebang was just under $800. Not bad every 100k or so.

 

 

Hi all, I'm new to the board and am looking for a Sacramento area mechanic. I have an aggravating oil leak on a 99 Outback that needs fixing. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Dan

Go up the hill, towards Auburn. There's a small stick in the woods called Newcastle, just past Rocklin. You can find a Subaru Specialty shop ran by Barsotti. Any of the locals will tell you he's the man to see.

 

You can reach his shop at 663.3077

 

-Brian

Main Street Auto in Placerville; Jeremy Lamberson is a friend of mine and is I think the most honest mechanic I've ever met. Plus he just put a EJ25 in his brothers old VW type 1! A true Subie mechanic and enthusiast.

 

80 Main St

Placerville 530 626-7066

Norm's Auto Repair (Subaru Specialists)

South Lake Tahoe

530-544-0953

 

Simply the best around here.