mattejb Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattejb Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmm001 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 from that pic, you had to cut those bolts off. I just went through it, I had to break out the sawzaw, not fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattejb Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 I had it fixed with a clamp. Now 6 months later is broken again. Lets try that again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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