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Subaru Legacy: Typical high-mileage repairs? - READ ONLY

280 messages,  Last post on Dec 20, 2001 at 7:21 AM

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Messages Page 15 of 29

#133 of 280 info on '91 4wd legacy wagon by christine19

Jun 01, 2001 (11:08 pm)

I'm test driving a 1991 Subaru 4wd legacy wagon with 222,000 miles on it. The owner has replaced the timing belt, water pump, and muffler. I have never owned a Subaru and was wondering if there are any major repair problems I should be aware of. He wants $2500 for it. What would be a good price with this high of mileage? He serviced it regularly and the the engine and car looks clean and well taken care of. One of the service records recommends a cross member bolt to be repaired- what is it and cost to repair. Any info would be appreciated. I have till Monday to make my decision. Thanks

#134 of 280 '91 Legacy Wagon by williaea

Jun 02, 2001 (8:58 am)

Well I'm sure this isn't a complete list, but I just bought a '90 2wd wagon and it is going to need struts ($500-$1000 depending on where you get them done). I have heard that the Automatic Transmissions on the '90 and '91's may be touchy and they are big bucks to replace or repair (I've heard $1500-2500). Not sure how you check them out though other than listening for slippage or sluggish shifts (especially between 2nd and 3rd gears). If the one you are looking at is an LS, then the Air Suspension is a LOT more than the struts I mentioned above. I would do a quick visual on the CV joints too to see if they were torn. There are a number of seals (cam seals and valve covers) that typically leak on these cars, but I 've heard they aren't too bad to get repaired. No idea on the cross member bolt repair, but that sounds like it may have taken some damage from below. Crossmember supports the engine and transmission in the front. YOu would have to have a mechanic check it out. Never heard of it in the "standard" Legacy issues. You may want to do some reading on the Ultimate Subaru Message Board

http://pub1.ezboard.com/fultimatesubarumessageboardsthenewgenerationofsubarus

It's a very good and thorough board. As to price, doesn't sound too bad if it doesn't have any major issues.

Good luck

Eric

#135 of 280 Mr. D - your oil by hammersley

Jun 03, 2001 (5:17 am)

If I understand the ratings correctly, the 15W-50 oil may actually be better. Both flavors of oil are multi-viscosity - they adjust their flow properties as they warm & cool.. the 5W-50 will flow more freely at colder engine temps, such as at start-up, than will the 10W-30. Synthetic oils already have better flow characteristics than mineral oil, all other things being equal.
 
I'm a little surprised that your oil consumption is down... sometimes switching to full synthetic in a high mileage engine can cause leaks to show up. Your engine may be in better shape than you thought! I've been told by my service dept. that 1 quart per 1000 miles is considered normal consumption in my 97 OB 2.5l.
 
Cheers!
Paul

#136 of 280 by ateixeira

Jun 06, 2001 (12:48 pm)

222k miles itself is a great achievement. Expecting it to last any longer is wishful thinking, no matter how reliable it is.
 
Just my 2 cents.
 
-juice

#137 of 280 Need Help Fast for 1995 legacky L AWD by artiewood

Jun 08, 2001 (7:27 pm)

I am considering purchasing a 1995 Subaru L AWD. After about 10 miles the CHECK ENGINE light comes on. I paid the dealer $26 to read the code(I), and it is a P0740 -Torque Converter Clutch System Malfunction.
 
The Subaru dealer pointed out this was a "junk yard" transmission, and that it may be installed incorrectly, or at least one of the sensors is not picking up. He says he has never seen that problem before, and that it would cost me a considerable amount to trouble shoot the problem.
 
He said if the transmission works, don't worry about it. It shifts great, the car runs great.
 
The used car dealer is willing to sell as is for black book average wholesale price, which is about $2500 below NADA retail.
 
Anyone familiar with this problem, or got a clue what I should do?

#139 of 280 91 Legacy Wagon by tailwind19

Jun 09, 2001 (5:20 am)

I had the transmission fluid, pan gasket, and filter changed. The transmission shifts great! I can use 4wd without that bumping in the rear. I would recommend to anyone who has the problem to have this done 1st. I was really surprised with the improvement.
Don't go 139,000 without doing it like I did!
The site mentioned in post #133 is great! Alot of good information. It was particularly interesting to read about common problems; i.e. dim headlights, broken sun visor, transmission problems.

#140 of 280 Tailwind by mrdetailer

Jun 12, 2001 (6:11 pm)

I would do it every 30,000 miles or 2 years. I also add Lubegard and it shifts smoother than when I bought it.

#141 of 280 1995 LS question by elpnjc

Jun 15, 2001 (12:34 am)

Greetings!
 
I'm looking into buying a used Legacy sedan, and I've found a very nice '95 LS. The only question is the mileage - 132,000. I know that Subaru makes a reliable car, but how many more miles can I expect to get out of this one, assuming that it's in good shape and hasn't gone through any major incidents? Any info or advice would be great. Thanks

#142 of 280 94 Legacy Wagon by robh14

Jun 15, 2001 (5:36 pm)

I have a 94 Legacy LS Wagon with just under 100,000 miles. I just had to replace an oxygen sensor and an idle speed motor. I'm wondering whether this is that start of an expensive year? Any thoughts would be appreciated!!!
 
(In the past, we have had to do nothing but typical maintenance on the car, so this kind of took us by surprise. But we also realize that any car is going to require new parts at some point...) We love Subarus (this is our second one), just waiting for Subaru to make a minivan.

Messages Page 15 of 29

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