Bought myself a used 2000 Outback a few weeks ago and just today I started experiencing a weird problem on starting up the car (it has 60k miles on it). The starter motor goes about its business but it takes longer than usual to start the engine and even then it does so with some stuttering (that is, the engine stutters when the starter motor turns off), requiring some use of the gas pedal to idle normally. After that, all is good. The battery has been changed "recently" (under two years) so that should not be the problem.

 

Also, and this might have something to do with the startup problem, i've noticed that when starting, the whole process makes a sound akin to an old diesel starting up. I bring this up, because I used to own a 1993 Legacy SW and when starting it sounded more "like a normal petrol car". I know the previous info is a bit confusing but I just hope somebody understood what I meant Could all this be down to a faulty/worn-out starter motor?

 

Thanks

I doubt it's related to the starter. It's probably more fuel or lack of related. Sound like it's time for a tune up if that hasn't been performed recently. You might as well reset the computer while you're at it.

I doubt it's related to the starter. It's probably more fuel or lack of related. Sound like it's time for a tune up if that hasn't been performed recently. You might as well reset the computer while you're at it.

 

60000 miles is a mark when a whole lot of tuneup needs to be done. Dealer price tag is $300-600 depending on the location. Do it and report back to us.