1997 outback 217k

 

So when I started my car today it sounded like I was starting a modded WRX. Only problem is it sounded like it was coming from rite below me. I get out to look and cant see and damage to the exhaust system. It seems to be coming from around the catalytic converter. It seems to smell alittle more then normal. Its pretty load. Iam not upset that its load, But wondering what you guys would do. Iam I losing backpresser? Are other problems going to come from this?

Most likely the donut connection

at the flange behind the second cat.

 

 

No worries on the backpressure but the

fumes getting in the car if stuck in traffic might be.

I actually had a cat rust apart at the seam. The other common problem with that vintage is the flange at the rear of the second cat, where the donut gasket is that Skip mentioned. That flange likes to rust away.

 

Where in PA are you?

 

Keith

Here is what you might see.

 

The cat Keith mentioned that might be your problem

is also seen.

 

Here is a good post on the pipes

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=83910&highlight=resonator

 

This is also a 97 OB, hope it helps.

ok thanks guys. Ill take a closer look at it later. Its too cold and snowy out now. Ill probly end up driving around with it rumbling for a month or so. Money is tight.

 

I am from Hazleton. But I go to school at RIT, in rochester ny, thats were i am at now.

I had the pipe rust out right at the connection between the resonator and 2nd cat, where the big shiny bolt is in your picture last spring. Took it to a custom exhaust shop and for $55 they welded in a new "flex pipe" (it's about 4 inches long) and it's been good as new ever since.

 

I'd suggest taking to a trusted exhaust shop that does fabrication, or else you'll have a place telling you that you'll need a new cat and intermediate pipe.

 

Brian

Ahoy mattejb! I went to RIT about 10 years ago. Your leak could be the donut connection. Here's some pics. You can get a kit from Subaru with the donut, springs, etc to fix this, it's pretty easy to do and the kit is maybe $25 I think.

 

To add to Skip's already nice pic!!!

It might be the flange rusted away at the back of the second converter. That's really common. I fix that with a split flange I get from Autozone http://www.autozone.com/R,NONAPP9882/store,1141/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm and I get a new donut gasket from subaru, none of the parts stores seem to stock the gasket around here.

from that pic, you had to cut those bolts off. I just went through it, I had to break out the sawzaw, not fun

My pic? Yah the bolts were so rusted that when I tried to loosen the nuts, the bolts just snapped in half with not too much effort.

I had it fixed with a clamp. Now 6 months later is broken again. Lets try that again.