Ask the Car People.SM


Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8642 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 10:18 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 734 of 865

#7329 of 8642 Re: 1998 Subaru legacy outback needs help! [xwesx] by parrett2

Nov 29, 2007 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 29, 2007 11:51 am)
.....well i went out and looked to see if i can find some sort of button and i cant seem to see it.........although i dont know what im looking for either .....under the hood it says it has a security system so im guessing that it also has an alarm as when the battery is hooked up the lights flash on an off and the people i have mentioned this to says when the alarm system has been activated it will shut down the engine so it wont start........so i have to figure out where to reset that system......I will have another look under the dash as it could be somplace else......there has to be somwhere to reset it right? Gosh if i can get this started im getting me an manual for sure so i can figure out this dang car........thanks a lot for the reply.....

#7330 of 8642 Re: 1998 Subaru legacy outback needs help! [parrett2] by tirebuster420

Nov 29, 2007 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: parrett2 (Nov 29, 2007 11:39 am)
On my `98 the on/off switch for the security system is to the left of where the clutch pedal is, against the wall. It was too close to where my feet are, that my dealer had to move the switch closer to the door jam, because I kept hitting it with my foot. It looks like a very small cargo switch that you could get at any Radio Shack. If not you could go to any dealer, or sellers of "Code Alarm", to get replacement fobs and instructions.
-W.

#7331 of 8642 Re: 1998 Subaru legacy outback needs help! [tirebuster420] by parrett2

Nov 29, 2007 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: tirebuster420 (Nov 29, 2007 1:46 pm)
Hm thank you...I will have to look although mine is an automatic so its probably somewhere else.........well its good to know that there is a switch somewhere atleast Well i will keep looking........this car of mine is the Limited also if that helps anyone.....thanks!

#7332 of 8642 Noisy engine at startup by sloanesq

Nov 29, 2007 (3:17 pm)

Hi,
 
I own an '06 Legacy SE with the 2.5 engine. Lately, the engine has been making a lot of noise for the first couple of minutes/miles when driven after sitting idle for a long time (like overnite). When I say a lot of noise, I mean a LOT of noise. So much so that people turn to stare at it as it passes down the street. I don't know if the colder weather may have something to do with this but I don't remember having this problem last winter.
 
Does anyone know if this is normal or is ist something I should be concerned about?

#7333 of 8642 Re: Noisy engine at startup [sloanesq] by xwesx

Nov 29, 2007 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: sloanesq (Nov 29, 2007 3:17 pm)
Noisy startups are never good, but what sort of noise is it? Clacking? Screeching? Yodeling? Disco?

#7334 of 8642 Re: Noisy engine at startup [xwesx] by sloanesq

Nov 30, 2007 (8:27 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 29, 2007 5:19 pm)
Thank goodness its NOT disco! But it is nearly as bad. It's a very loud rumbling/chug-chugging type noise. Like you hear from a loud truck engine. The frequency of the "chug-chugging" increases as I give it gas. I don't know that much about engines but I'm guessing it may be noisy valves. The noise goes away when the engine warms up and my Subie purrs along just beautifully.

#7335 of 8642 Re: Noisy engine at startup [sloanesq] by ateixeira

Nov 30, 2007 (8:53 am)

Replying to: sloanesq (Nov 30, 2007 8:27 am)
I would start with an ECU reset. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, wait 20 minutes, reconnect. Have the remote handy, lock/unlock a few times when you reconnect the battery.
 
Also note the alarm hints mentioned above.
 
I'm a bit surprised it's not also throwing a check-engine light. No light?

#7336 of 8642 Re: Noisy engine at startup [sloanesq] by jay_24

Nov 30, 2007 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: sloanesq (Nov 30, 2007 8:27 am)
I would have guessed a tick/clank sound like a old diesel engine. That comes with piston slap that many subies have. Subaru actually replaced 2 pistons in my 2001OB engine because of slap at 45K. 20K miles later it was back. Other than the noise it hasn't been an issue. Now at 115K and still not burning oil and getting 28mpg durng the summer. After 10 minutes of warm up its gone, and it only happens when temps are below 30F. Colder it is the loader and longer it is.
 
Subaru has long said not an issue and won't change pistons. I think I just hit a good day when I brought it in and Subaru happened to be curious on if it really was OK. If I recall somebody else on Edmunds also had piston replaced that same week as I did.

#7337 of 8642 Re: Noisy engine at startup [sloanesq] by zman3

Nov 30, 2007 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: sloanesq (Nov 30, 2007 8:27 am)
My guess is also piston slap. I equated my 98 OB piston slap to sounding like a sewing machine.

#7338 of 8642 Re: Noisy engine at startup [jay_24] by xwesx

Nov 30, 2007 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: jay_24 (Nov 30, 2007 12:50 pm)
Yep, that might be it - especially if it is present until the car warms up versus going away in a few seconds (or at least quieting down significantly) But, also check to see if you oil level is right at the full mark, as well as verify the type of oil used (5w-30?). My Outback sounds very "raspy" when I start it up at cold, but the sound is, I think, related to the transmission or front differential and goes away when it warms up. Still strange, but the lubricant levels are right on.

Messages Page 734 of 865

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement