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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8644 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 4:04 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 788 of 865

#7868 of 8644 Sell or Repair leaking head gasket, then sell by sillyivan

Sep 28, 2008 (5:02 pm)

With a daughter away at college we find ourselves with 3 cars but only 2 drivers. So we've decided to sell our 2000 legacy gt with 85k mile. 5 sp. manual. We've been very diligent about maintenance - taking it to an independent certified Subaru mechanic for the last 8 yrs. Replacing anything that failed or was covered under warranty. So it's in pretty good shape, save for a few minor external cosmetic dings.
 
 Thought it wise to do one last oil change and get a condition overview before advertising car and was chagrined to learn that the head gaskets are starting to leak. Our mechanic steered us to subaruheadgasket.com Apparently this is quite a common situation - though 3500 miles ago, gaskets were seemingly oil leak free. Sigh.
 
Looking back on this car's repair history, I'd have to say from the time it hit around 35k it's been one of the most expensive to maintain that I've ever owned. Our other autos are Mazda and Infiniti.
 
My conundrum: shell out about 2k to replace head gaskets (and timing belt) which would be prudent in another 15k miles - and attempt to get a a firm $6500, or price the car around 4500 with the caveat about the head gasket leaks.
 
Thanks for any input.
 
S

#7869 of 8644 Electrical issue - brakes and headlights connected by chazr

Sep 30, 2008 (9:24 am)

I just bought a used 2002 Outback and have noticed some wierd electrical problems - electrically it seems like the brake lights and the headlights are connected - when you switch one on (turn on headlights or tap the brake pedal) it activates elements of the other. Heres a rundown:
 
1. The ABS light goes on and stays on while driving
 
2. When the headlights are off, tapping the brakes will turn them on and also switches all of the interior lights to "headlight mode" (clock and radio backlights dim, all buttons will become illuminated).
 
2.a This also happens if you tap the brakes when the car is off and the key is out - the radio and interior lights will iluminate, and even the headlights will turn on, although quite dim.
 
3. Turning on the headlights with the car off will activate the shift interlock system (that click you hear near the shifter when you depress the brake so that you can take it out of park).
  
Any ideas on where to start looking?

#7870 of 8644 Re: Electrical issue - brakes and headlights connected [chazr] by chazr

Sep 30, 2008 (5:32 pm)

Replying to: chazr (Sep 30, 2008 9:24 am)
Oops, I lied about the shift interlock activating when the car is off. It will activate (allow you to move out of park) if you turn on the headlights or parking lights when the car is ON.

#7871 of 8644 Repair/Replacement for cargo flap? by sapphireblue

Oct 07, 2008 (9:35 am)

Hi all,
 
I own a 2005 Outback 2.5i wagon. Recently my cargo flap (the part that blocks between the extended cover and the hatch) fell off. One of its brackets snapped in half, so it's not as easy as hooking the flap back in place.
 
Are there shops or sites that sell just a replacement bracket, or if need be, a whole new flap? I don't think the existing bracket is repairable, and there are times I'd like to be able to shield the whole cargo area from view.
 
Thanks,
sb

#7872 of 8644 Re: Repair/Replacement for cargo flap? [sapphireblue] by ateixeira

Oct 08, 2008 (9:06 am)

Replying to: sapphireblue (Oct 07, 2008 9:35 am)
You may be stuck going to a dealer, since it's so new.

#7873 of 8644 2003 outback catalytic converter by bdare

Oct 21, 2008 (1:54 pm)

My husband drives an outback that has about 150,000 miles on it and after the last service his check engine light came on. He has been told by the Suburu dealer that it is the catalytic converter and will cost $2,500.00 for replacement. Has anyone had to have this done and does this price seem a little steep?

#7874 of 8644 Re: 2003 outback catalytic converter [bdare] by dakotadriver

Oct 21, 2008 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: bdare (Oct 21, 2008 1:54 pm)
I had the same thing happen to my '01 Outback last fall (with 120,000 miles). My local dealer told me the price was $950 installed so I looked for other options. I found some aftermarket catalytic converters online, but once installed it still had the same problem. I have since learned that Subaru's don't like parts made by anyone but Subaru and that I should have put an official part on it. Nevertheless, I saw an official Subaru cat online for $650, and the installation on my '01 only cost me around $120 so I would definitely look around at other locations as $2,500 seems quite steep, although you might be stuck paying whatever the official Subaru part costs. I would look to see if the part can be obtained somewhere else and then see if an independent shop could install it. Mine was a bolt on and not that complicated to install.

#7875 of 8644 Re: 2003 outback catalytic converter [bdare] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 22, 2008 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: bdare (Oct 21, 2008 1:54 pm)
There are two catalytics for this car apparently, front and rear. That can add up if both were bad. I agree, you have to shop around. Labor should not be very much to install.
 
Visiting Host

#7876 of 8644 Re: 2003 outback catalytic converter [Mr_Shiftright] by dakotadriver

Oct 22, 2008 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2008 12:40 pm)
The catalytic converter I purchased (for less than $300) and the official part I was quoted the $950 installed price was both the front and the back combined (with the short piece of pipe connecting the two). I checked and both the 2001 and the 2003 aftermarket part has the same part number, so I still think that $2,500 seems way to steep, unless the official (Subaru) parts are actually different parts and the 2003 part is radically different from the 2001 official part.

#7877 of 8644 Re: 2003 outback catalytic converter [dakotadriver] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 22, 2008 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: dakotadriver (Oct 22, 2008 1:12 pm)
I think the 2003 part would be different and also if it were a California car it would be more expensive.

Messages Page 788 of 865

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