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Subaru Legacy/Outback Transmission Problems

580 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 12:13 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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


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Messages Page 26 of 59

#247 of 580 Re: 1995 2.2L Legacy Outback hesitation / stalling [sandman52] by xwesx

Jul 28, 2006 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: sandman52 (Jul 22, 2006 4:05 pm)
I am surprised that the ECU recorded any code, but my bet is on the mass airflow sensor in relation to the stalling. I think that, new, the part is somewhere to the tune of $400, but you can find them used for less than half that. The hesitation might just be fuel injectors needing some assistance. Have her run a few bottles of injector cleaner through the fuel and see if it helps that part. It might take a few though, so run them on back-to-back tanks (one bottle per fill up).
 
I replaced my MAS in response to a "ghost" stalling problem that would trip the CEL but record no code. After wasting several hundred dollars in fruitless diagnostics, a local indpendent Subaru mechanic suggested I try the MAS. I did - purchased a used one as my repair money was all but gone - and have had no problems with the stalling every since (5 years now).
 
Best of luck to your daughter. -Wes-

#248 of 580 Re: 1995 2.2L Legacy Outback hesitation / stalling [xwesx] by sandman52

Aug 06, 2006 (10:56 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jul 28, 2006 12:40 pm)
Thanks Wes.
I'll see if I can find a used MAFS for her, and see if that does the trick.
 
Thanks again!

#249 of 580 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light by tjhm

Nov 28, 2006 (3:51 pm)

I have a 1996 Legacy Station wagon 2.5 4 cam
I loved the car until 2 weeks ago
Check engine light is intermittently flickering on and the car is stuttering.
I can do 100 miles fine and then suddenly it all comes back.
The dealer has replaced exhaust, oxygen sensor, fuel filter and run a diagnostic.
Initial diagnostic showed oxygen sensor problem (replaced) and airflow sensor (not yet replaced)
Furthur diagnostics have revealed nothing - I think that the dealers think I'm mad! The car runs fine for them (on their limited test drives)
I am tearing my hair out!!! Please help

#250 of 580 Re: 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light [tjhm] by ateixeira

Nov 29, 2006 (10:31 am)

Replying to: tjhm (Nov 28, 2006 3:51 pm)
I would get new spark plug wires (I'm sure they're due by now), new spark plugs, and if all those don't help, a new ignition coil (only about $80 or so).
 
Power is stuttering so it's probably spark.
 
-juice

#251 of 580 Re: 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light [ateixeira] by xwesx

Nov 29, 2006 (11:08 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 29, 2006 10:31 am)
I agree that it is likely spark, but since the spark is electronically controlled it could be more than just the mechanicals themselves. Since your ECU coded an airflow sensor issue, you might consider replacement of it. The part is expensive, but extremely simple to replace. I had the problems noted above with the MAS (likely) and never was a code recorded, though the CEL did illuminate. So, at this point it is hard to say, but I concur with juice that it is likely either spark or something that controls the timing of it.
 
Interesting that you say the CEL is "flickering" on. I have never observed that behavior and was not aware it was able to simply "flicker." I wonder if that is indicative of something in and of itself? How many tanks of fuel have you run through the car in the past two weeks? Perhaps there is/was a little water in the tank. A bottle of Heet would eliminate that possibility.

#253 of 580 Re: 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light [xwesx] by fordwrench

Dec 16, 2006 (11:14 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 29, 2006 11:08 am)
All cars from '96 on will flicker the MIL when there is a misfire. The misfire could be from the ignition or the injectors though. I came over to this forum because I just picked up a '96 Outback with 134000 miles on it. I can't believe how good this thing runs, I work on Fords & most won't go that far! What kind of fuel mileage can I expect from this car, 2.5 dohc and auto trans?

#254 of 580 Re: 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light [fordwrench] by xwesx

Dec 17, 2006 (10:22 pm)

Replying to: fordwrench (Dec 16, 2006 11:14 pm)
When I picked mine up 8/2000 with 83.5K, it averaged ~27. Now, at 220K, it is at more like ~22.5. However, in the past 3 weeks I have had the dreaded P0400 (EGR system) code, so I plan to run it through the paces come spring and will probably address old oxygen sensors, so it might kick up a few mpgs. At 130xxx I probably got an average of 25-26 out of it.
 
Be wary of head gaskets and oil leaks from the camshaft seals and/or valve cover gaskets. Otherwise, quite a decent car.

#255 of 580 Re: 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light [xwesx] by fordwrench

Dec 17, 2006 (11:35 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 17, 2006 10:22 pm)
I do have an oil leak at the rear of the engine. It drips right onto the exhaust & really stinks up the garage after I shut it down. It looks like a rear main seal but I hope it is just valve cover gaskets. The acceleration seems to flatten out at times, on long moderate accels it doesn't pull evenly. I'm going to look into this during the week, any ideas?

#256 of 580 Re: 96 Legacy Wagon 2.5 stuttering & check engine light [fordwrench] by xwesx

Dec 18, 2006 (11:04 am)

Replying to: fordwrench (Dec 17, 2006 11:35 pm)
That leak sounds like valve cover gaskets. Honestly, I have not heard of any rear main leaks... not even on mine and I would venture to guess my car has leaked more oil than any dozen other Subarus combined. However, since replacing the head gaskets (unrelated problem) at 192.5K, I have had zero oil leaks (almost 30K miles now), so I am hoping those days are behind me. The oil dripping onto the exhaust was so bad before I fixed it the first time (144K) that I would have to shut off my defroster or it would fill the cabin with smoke. The dealership from which I purchased the car overfilled the oil by about 1.5 quarts and it blew the gaskets/seals all to pieces. I noticed the overfill within about 100 miles, but within another month it was leaking 1/2 quart every tank (~250 miles). That was at 84K miles. By 144K when I finally fixed it, it was around 3 quarts per 250 miles. All 4 cam seals, the valve cover gaskets, and the oil temperature sending unit were all leaking profusely. The crank seals were fine though - in fact, I never have replaced the rear main on it.
 
As for acceleration, mine does not pull real strong between ~35 and 50 mph unless I intentionally hold gears longer and accelerate aggressively, but I think this more a function of the gearing and shift points than it is a "problem" with something in the drivetrain. This engine can rev high with no problems though - max torque is achieved at 5500 RPM if I recall correctly, though I rarely take it that high as I am used to old vehicles like my '69 Chevy C20 (307) and there would be pieces of iron all over the highway if I tried that.

Messages Page 26 of 59

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