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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 711 of 865

#7098 of 8641 "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? by jmoose

Jun 20, 2007 (5:44 pm)

I just took our 2001 Outback in for its 90,000 mile service. When I brought it to the dealer yesterday, they said the major service would cost $550. OK, it is what it is. There were a few other items I wanted them to look at (converter heat shield rattling, valve(s) tapping), so I expected the final bill to be somewhat more. Mid-day today, I got a call from the dealer saying they recommended several other items: a $130 "Engine Flush" (gets sludge out of oil pan, apparently), a $150 fuel injector service, "A/C Tuneup" ($239) and front and rear differential service ($198). I declined the last two and took the first two.
 
When I went back to the dealer to pick up the car, I asked who "recommended" these service items, since the Subaru manual didn't seem to call them out (they weren't included in the standard 90K service) and she said the dealer did, and showed me a pre-printed list of stuff they recommend.
 
I said that if this was her recommendation, she should have asked me about it when I brought my car in for service, not waited until mid day and, frankly, making it seem like they had discovered a problem in need of repair, rather than offering to perform additional preventive maintenance.
 
My question (be honest, I know y'all will be!) is was I ripped off for the two items I chose and/or should I have performed at least the differential work? No outward signs that the AC is working other than perfectly and the differentials aren't making funny noises . I'm a little careful with this car, since the head gasket was replaced twice...fortunately under warranty.
 
This smells like the dealer trying to pad his bill at my expense to me.
 
Thanks!

#7099 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [jmoose] by ateixeira

Jun 21, 2007 (7:49 am)

Replying to: jmoose (Jun 20, 2007 5:44 pm)
If the A/C works fine I would not touch it. Just make sure you use the A/C once in a while to circulate the refrigerant and lube the seals.
 
Rear diff - change the fluid yourself, it's soooo easy. Remove the top plug first, then the bottom one. My Forester just needed a 1/2" drive. Oil drains out.
 
Replace the bottom plug first. Then pump in 1 quart of 75w90 gear oil, about $4. A hand held oil pump will cost you about $7 if you need that.
 
When done, replace the top plug, voila, done.
 
$11 and about 20 minutes of work. Ramps are best but you can jack the rear diff, just use a couple of jack stands.
 
I see no reason to pay $198, GOOD GOD that is overpriced.
 
Drive it over and I'll do the whole thing for 1/4 that price.

#7100 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [jmoose] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 21, 2007 (8:31 am)

Replying to: jmoose (Jun 20, 2007 5:44 pm)
Well you weren't "ripped off" if they actually did what they said they would do, so that's not the issue. As to what is necessary, probably, were I in your shoes I would have only done the last item, the differential oil changes. There was apparently nothing to suggest sludge in your engine or clogged fuel injectors or an AC problem, so those seem unnecessary to me. I would have declined them if they were my car...in fact, I have declined them at the Toyota dealer.

#7101 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [jmoose] by marc_outback

Jun 21, 2007 (10:50 am)

Replying to: jmoose (Jun 20, 2007 5:44 pm)
Which dealer was it?

#7102 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [marc_outback] by jmoose

Jun 21, 2007 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: marc_outback (Jun 21, 2007 10:50 am)
Dealer was Curry Ford/Subaru, Yorktown Heights NY.

#7103 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [ateixeira] by jmoose

Jun 22, 2007 (6:22 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 21, 2007 7:49 am)
Thanks for the info and "DIY Tutorial"!
 
Much appreciated.

#7104 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [jmoose] by ateixeira

Jun 22, 2007 (8:29 am)

Replying to: jmoose (Jun 22, 2007 6:22 am)
You're welcome.
 
Careful, gear oil stinks! Wear gloves. Your wife will not come near you for days!

#7105 of 8641 Re: Check Engine Light [jaj] by bennywayne

Jun 24, 2007 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: jaj (Jul 19, 2006 5:23 pm)
Just bought a used 2005 Outback (2.5 XT) and noticed the same thing happening today: Check Engine light steady with a flashing cruise control indicator lamp. Apparently code reads cylinder 4 misfire. Mileage: 35,100. What ended up happening with your rig? Thankfully we're still under warranty. Any thoughts?

#7106 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [jmoose] by girlcarbuilder

Jun 25, 2007 (7:41 am)

Replying to: jmoose (Jun 20, 2007 5:44 pm)
Oh lord, sorry to say, you got hosed! Get a repair manual from Chiltons or Haynes and learn to do this stuff yourself. Even if you do not turn the wrench, reading it will give you a good idea when someone is trying to hose you. Like some of the other guys have said much of this is way too easy to do in your own spare time. As for a/c. Get a refrigeration thermoter and keep it in the air vent. In the morning it should blow at the coldest about 45 degrees. Found one of those thermoters recently of all places, Wal-Mart. Appliance parts houses and refrigeration supply house have them. As long as this temp happens, you are in good shape.
 
Engine flush? What? I guess whoever has been changing the oil has been using crappy oil and oil filters. Stay away from Penzoil, Quaker State and Fram! I prefer WIX/NAPA filters myself. Make sure the filter has a check valve in it or your valves will be tapping. If it has been the dealer doing the oil changes.... Run away from them very fast! They just told you in so many words their work is crappy. I have pulled oil pans from cars with 200K miles clean as a whistle and decent oil used in them with a WIX filter changed every 10 K miles. Oh, will I hear about this one from the guys!
 
Take it from a woman who plays dumb and hangs them out to dry!

#7107 of 8641 Re: "Schedued" Maintenance - Ripped off? [girlcarbuilder] by lilengineerboy

Jun 25, 2007 (8:08 am)

Replying to: girlcarbuilder (Jun 25, 2007 7:41 am)
Make sure the filter has a check valve in it or your valves will be tapping.
 
The filter is mounted upside down under the engine. It is naturally filled with oil. There is no check valve.

Messages Page 711 of 865

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