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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8641 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2013 at 9:35 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 659 of 865

#6576 of 8641 Re: Head gasket - invest the $ or move on? [carteach] by garandman

Nov 21, 2006 (2:09 am)

Replying to: carteach (Nov 20, 2006 7:26 pm)
I don't want to jinx myself; but I have a '95 Legacy Wagon with over 197,000 on it. I drove it today when I went to test drive the 2007 L.L. Bean. My wagon doesn't have the surge of energy when you first put your foot on the pedal; but it has a smoother and steadier tranny once it's up there than the 2007. I love my Legacy and pray it lasts at least until 250,000. I did not love the 2007; and will not be buying one.
 
The H6 and XT have a 5 speed automatic. The 4 speed JATCO in your Legacy (and our two 97 Outbacks) has been roundly criticized by many owners and reviewers (like here) for the big gulf between the top two geear and the lower two, as well as untimely downshifting. So rest assured you will not be able to find any car with a tranny like yours! The 5EAT is one of the reasons I bought the H6 model.
 
Go drive the Acura TL in the rain before you consider buying one. We have an Accord V6 and if the roads wet you can spin the front wheels just pulling away from a stoplight. When it's snowing, we have to shut off the traction control to get up hills! The Subarus just go. It's an apples to donuts comparisonin bad weather. The TL is a good handling luxo cruiser, though.
 
Honda makes their own transmissions (many other manufacturers - including Subaru - use JATCO) but the V6 / 5 speed auto combination used in the Honda/Acura (some cars sold here as Acuras are badged as Hondas in Europe) is ubiquitous and robust. I like the TL's unterior and the back seat is a little wider than the Outback, but the dealers are very proud of them....

#6577 of 8641 Just a few questions by sillydrunk

Dec 03, 2006 (10:08 pm)

I purchased a 97 Legacy Outback limited w/ auto trans. about a year ago. It had 147000KM's on it (about 88000Miles) and seemed to be in excellent shape. So far I haven't had to do anything other than routine maintenance such as oil changes, front brakes, timing belt, tires etc. Has anybody had a front differnetial leak? I have to add gear oil to it about once a month. It seems to be leaking out of the breather lines right onto the exhaust (which stinks). I talked to a Subaru dealer about the problem but they were no help. I also see that head gaskets seem to be an issue so I think I may do a little preventative maintenance there also. Is there any other common problems for this year that I should know about? The transmission often seems to shift funny but the oil is nice and clean so I'm hoping that there is nothing wrong with it. Any info on this would be great. C.

#6578 of 8641 Re: trailer wiring plug - where is it? [goosegog] by nerd

Dec 04, 2006 (9:31 am)

Replying to: goosegog (Aug 29, 2006 11:42 am)
Thanks for the tip about routing the wire through the spare wheel well. I'll keep it in mind if I ever need to go to a larger cable.
 
As you can tell from my late response, I have been gone for a time.

#6579 of 8641 Coolant Odor by nerd

Dec 04, 2006 (9:52 am)

Occasionally, I get a light whiff of coolant odor from my 2006 Outback 2.5I. I usually smell it when sitting in a line at a fast food joint.
 
I replaced the radiator cap because both gaskets appeared to be pitted. No improvement. The leak isn't large enough to see, but the system is losing coolant slowly. I am about to put in a can a Bars Leaks, which I have used successfully in other vehicles.
 
I would appreciate comments from anyone who has had this problem.

#6580 of 8641 Re: Coolant Odor [nerd] by terry92270

Dec 04, 2006 (11:12 am)

Replying to: nerd (Dec 04, 2006 9:52 am)
When not moving, and running the engine, it would be completely normal for the coolant temp to raise, and some escape from the over-flow line, which dumps it under the car.
 
Check to make sure the coolant level isn't being kept too high. When the car is cold, check the plastic reservoir, mounted to the side of the radiator, to see if it is above the "cold" line on the side.

#6581 of 8641 Re: Coolant Odor - 2003 Legacy by famof3kids

Dec 04, 2006 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: terry92270 (Dec 04, 2006 11:12 am)
My Legacy has 42,000 miles on it. Within the past two weeks I too have noticed coolant odor. Since the car was new, 3 years ago, the coolant level has decreased from the full line to the add line. So, I added that small amount to bring it up. I had a mechanic to check for leaks when the oil was changed last week, and he says he saw nothing. Tonight, while sitting at a stoplight, i saw steam coming from under the car. So, when I got home, I see that the head gasket is leaking coolant at the back of the engine on the driver side. Just a few drops, but, enough to smell and wet the oil pan, bolts, etc.
 
I called and the quickest my Subaru dealer can see it is Thursday (Sure not like my local Nissan service, which is always same day, ha). Since the antifreeze is leaking 'out' and not much, I think two more days of commuting (~50 miles) will be ok. Hopefully it won't blow going down the road...talk about embarassing!
 
Seems the 2000-2002 head gasket problem might just extend to the 2003's. Anyone have any information or seen information on the head gaskets failing on the 2003's?
 
Mark
2003 Subaru Legacy Special Edition

#6582 of 8641 Piston Slap in 2000 Outback? by markk1

Dec 05, 2006 (10:11 am)

Starting this fall my 2000 Outback (90k miles) has started making a ticking sound when it is started. the best I can describe it is the sound of a baseball card in between bicycle spokes. the sound is much more pronounced when it is cold out and goes away after the car warms up. From reading this list sounds like I have the famous Subaru "piston slap". My take away from other posts is don't worry about it? Also i gather unlike a knock putting premium gas in the tank will not make any difference.

#6583 of 8641 Re: Coolant Odor [terry92270] by once_for_all

Dec 05, 2006 (10:14 am)

Replying to: terry92270 (Dec 04, 2006 11:12 am)
"and some escape from the over-flow line, which dumps it under the car"
 
Terry, absolutely not, this is not normal procedure.
 
Maybe for a 1963 Ford Econoline, or a 1950 Massey Ferguson tractor. But not a modern car with a properly filled coolant recovery system.
 
John

#6584 of 8641 Re: Coolant Odor [once_for_all] by terry92270

Dec 05, 2006 (12:34 pm)

Replying to: once_for_all (Dec 05, 2006 10:14 am)
With the coolant recovery vessels, I have often found people tend to over-fill, John. Especially owners who tend to be over-cautious with maintenance, "listening", etc.
 
Then they sit in traffic because of an accident, for a hour or so, and the excess is bled off, they "smell" something, and begin to imagine all kinds of problems.
 
You are correct in it not being "normal" if everything is maintained as it should be, however, and I should have added all the detail in my post.

#6585 of 8641 Rear doors won't open by jack58

Dec 05, 2006 (3:19 pm)

I unlocked my OBW with the remote and tried to open the driver's side rear door, heard a "clunk" and the door would not open! I tried the passenger side rear door "clunk" that door wouldn't open! I tried the front passenger door with my fingers crossed, it opened. Now my rear doors only open from the inside. Is there some trick I missed in the manual?
I am afraid to use the child lock lever for fear I might never get my rear doors open.
Any help out there?

Messages Page 659 of 865

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