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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19283 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 1806 of 1929

#18045 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [grahampeters] by gregnw44

Apr 12, 2009 (11:12 pm)

Replying to: grahampeters (Apr 12, 2009 4:12 pm)
Yes thanks Graham, I'm sure that the aerial antenna in the glass, is a good feature. But I think that design must have started around 2000 or later. Because, I was asking about the mid to late 90's wagons... that I've been looking at. And none of them have that feature.
 
Anyway, thanks Steve (host) for the info regarding your '97. I'm in Seattle, so not much snow here most the time... But like you, I'm up at the mountains a lot, and that's why the snow/ice question, regarding the electric retractable antenna. And I'm glad to hear that your experience has been good.
 
Anybody else with info about reliability of these antennas, that Subaru put on some models... or which models came with these would be great. Thanks a lot !!

#18046 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [gregnw44] by amsbear

Apr 13, 2009 (9:23 am)

Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 12, 2009 11:12 pm)
Greg,
 
My 98 Outback Limited had the power antenna, and I'm pretty sure that this was a feature of the Limited package back then along with an upgraded stereo package, speakers, and leather heated seats.
 
It did have the same issues of getting stuck in colder weather and required a wipe down w/WD40. I eventually replaced the mast which resolved the problem. The part was described as the "rod and nut" on many of the parts sites that I used and it cost around $30 or so.
 
The replacement job wasn't bad at all. Let me know if you need more details on this.
 
Alan
09 Outback

#18048 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [gregnw44] by erics6

Apr 13, 2009 (9:29 am)

Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 12, 2009 8:58 am)
I wouldn't worry about the antenna as much as head gaskets. 2.2 on the Legacy through 99 has less problems than the DOHC 2.5 on the 97+ Outback. If you don't need ground clearance, my favorite 90's Subaru is the 99 Legacy 30th Anniversary Wagon. It has sunroof and some extras. Last year for the 2.2 in the Legacy. The last year for the 2.2 in the Outback was 97, with the manual transmission. The SOHC 2.5 after 2003 seems to have less problems with head gaskets.
  
FWIW, the in glass antenna works fine for me. I had a manual antenna on my 97 Outback, in-glass on my 2000 Outback (I think that was the 1st year) and in-glass on my current 05 Forester.

#18049 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [gregnw44] by hammerhead

Apr 13, 2009 (10:37 am)

Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 12, 2009 11:12 pm)
I'll second Steve's thoughts. Clean it, WD 40 it, and its usually good to go.
I had to spray mine with windshield de-icer one time this winter to loosen accumulated ice over the top of the antenna while it was retracted.
 
Hello over there on the 'Wet' (west) side!
 
Cheers!
Paul
(Spokane)

#18050 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [erics6] by ateixeira

Apr 13, 2009 (11:20 am)

Replying to: erics6 (Apr 13, 2009 9:29 am)
I agree. I replaced my Miata's power antennae with a rubber whip antennae for less than $10, and it worked fine.
 
Don't worry about power antennaes or the replacement cost.

#18051 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [ateixeira] by gregnw44

Apr 13, 2009 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 13, 2009 11:20 am)
Awesome! Thanks all for the info regarding the power antennas. That's just the stuff I was looking to learn.
 
And also thanks for the engine and head gasket info. YES, I am aware of this issue. But am looking to learn more, and the differences between the 2.2 and the 2.5... and the different mid to late 90 wagons and what they came with.
 
All this would be very helpful.
 
Say, I'm looking at a '98 Outback with a 2.5... and a '98 Legacy wagon with a 2.2. What are the performance and function and maintenance/upkeep/cost issues and gas mileage differences, etc
 
How about if someone tells me that they had the head gasket on their '98 Outback replaced at 100K... and now the car has 140K? Were there upgraded head gaskets that solved the problem? Is this a one-time fix... or will it keep coming up?
 
Thanks a ton, Greg

#18052 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [gregnw44] by ateixeira

Apr 13, 2009 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 13, 2009 12:33 pm)
The new gasket material should last as long as the heads were not warped from severe overheating.

#18053 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [ateixeira] by zman3

Apr 13, 2009 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 13, 2009 12:48 pm)
Weren't there a couple of attempts at a redesigned gasket? I thought, maybe incorrectly, that some of the early fixes did not necessarily take that well and failed a second time.
 
Having said that my guess is that a 98 with 140K and the repair done at 100K would have a newer design.

#18054 of 19283 Re: Used Outback/Legacy w/Power Antenna ? [gregnw44] by samiam_68

Apr 13, 2009 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 13, 2009 12:33 pm)
The 2.2 engine is bulletproof - it will run several hundred thousand miles without any problems. However, it is severely underpowered. The 2.5 has slightly more power. Very slightly.

Messages Page 1806 of 1929

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