Hi all,

 

I recently bought a 1 owner used 2000 Outback with the insurance money from my totaled out dodge dakota.

It is [according to carfax] a 2.5l dohc h4 16v engine. 44000 miles.

I have been reading posts about head gasket failure and was wondering about the oatmeal colored crap in the bottom of the coolant reserve??

Anyways,any things to watch for IN OTHER AREAS,or preventive/scheduled maintenence you would perform ,in my set of circumstances,

this information highly appreciated in advance,thanks!!

W.C.

Welcome! What part of NJ?

 

Your 2000 should be SOHC. You can look at the black plastic timing belt cover in front of the engine, it should have one circle on the left and one on the right side.

 

Is it an orange color stuff? I've had the same thing, I think it's just crud that's precipitated out of the antifreeze. Probably would be a good idea to do a coolant change and clean everything out.

 

Do you know if any maintenance was done at all? (Never too soon for filters and fluid changes).

 

Only thing to watch out for is an external headgasket leak (driver side usually), but there is an extended warranty to 100k (search for WP99 recall, I think).

Tank out the tank and clean it. Replace the radiator cap and put in new coolant with deminerilized water. I would also replace the thermostat. Get the subaru additive, then watch. It could just be mud in the tank. The leak will be external if you have one. The subaru additive, let subaru puut it in and it extendes your warrenty to 100,000 miles

 

nipper

The crud in the overflow tank is probably the factory additive used in the recall. If you change the coolant (and you should) it would be a good idea to put in another dose of the additive - it should be less than two bucks at the dealer.

 

Please check and see if that's a DOHC or not and let us know - I have never seen a 2000 OB that wasn't a SOHC.

Anyways,any things to watch for IN OTHER AREAS

 

Might change the trans fluid and spin-on filter, there's been a few reports of expensive tranny repairs.

 

The check engine light likes to show up with the P0420 code. Don't let this turn into a pricey catalytic convertor replacement, what it will probably need is an oxygen sensor or two.

 

There were recalls on the rear subframe corrosion protection, maybe the front oxygen sensor, and maybe the previously noted coolant additive. Call a dealer with your VIN and they can give you the recall history.

I am going to take a look for the black timing belt cover,

as an aside,how can I figure when exactly this motor was made??

"ej251 ax awl "is on the plate near the washer resv. under motor type.

 

my vin is : 4S3BH66?4Y7607383 .,

 

I`ll update, there are stickers and such on the aluminum. t.i.a.

If it has the coolant additive it should have a sticker on the radiator or door frame that say it was added. The additive has caused no gunk in my car, but I keep the coolant pretty clean.

Update.

 

on the hood underside has a sticker:

engine family:

YFJXV02.5JEH

2.5L SFI TWC/HO2S [2]

 

sticker in door frame says:

7/99 made in usa subaru /isuzu

 

The black timing belt cover?? looks like is about 3 ft long right behind belt pulleys,and

the circles in question,one left and one right,are depressed into the cover front.

they are 3-4 inches in diameter.

 

So this is a S.O.H.C. ??

T.I.A.

my vin is : 4S3BH66?4Y7607383

That is a single overhead cam, based on the cam belt cover appearance.

Still has four valves per cylinder though (pdf attachment).

Note the use of valve clearance adjustment screws - no buckets and shims on this one.

 

That VIN breaks down like this:

 

4 Subaru

S Subaru

3 Subaru

B Model: B line

H Wagon

6 2500cc

6 Outback

? Restraint type: 5=airbags 6=side airbags

4 Check digit

Y Model year 2000

7 Made in USA with 4EAT auto trans

6 Sequential

0 Sequential

7 Sequential

3 Sequential

8 Sequential

3 Sequential

Rocker_Assembly.pdf

Thanks all:clap:

One more... when should I consider doing a timing belt/water pump??

One more... when should I consider doing a timing belt/water pump??

 

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html

 

 

nipper