Subaru Outback 2GEN (1998-2003) Questions & Answers

Subaru has a full time AWD. So how does it disengage ?

Outback engines are not as tough as would be expected. Best to dump the car.

I suggest trying YouTube to get answers regarding that!

Thank you Lancia. I hadn't thought of that.

Kind of difficult in that a Flat Spot is a very different symptom to a miss.
A miss suggests something electrical not performing the way it should.
A flat spot suggests a fuel flow/pressure issue.
Is it possible that you are chasing two different issues and assuming that they are one and the same?

My local mechanic has said that it is more likely 'fuel flow' related - but when he has connected 'tablet' to the dashboard output it does not show up any problem?
Could it be blockage in the fuel line near the tank or something to do with fuel injection?
Thanks, Mike Finn

There is a myriad of possibilities to this. Starving for fuel can cause a flat spot, A worn throttle position switch can cause a flat spot. I agree with Steve T that a miss and Flat spot are 2 separate issues. get your mechanic to check fuel pressure whilst driving under load. Are the compression's all even? Does that model have adjustable valve clearances and is so are they correct. The heads have been off and maybe the valves need resetting. Have the injectors been flow tested.

That seems normal to me though if you still are concerned perhaps you could try asking that question to a suburu office or one of their workshop mechanics

That's normal ...you say it is getting hot you do realise you can turn the air conditioning nob:-
Anti clockwise to lower internal temp
Clock wise to increase temp. don't you?
You can also push button to get an economy mode to...

Your Subaru Outback should not get hot, in fact on the temperature gauge they often run at less than half when normal running temperature is reached. Subaru's are notorious for leaking head gaskets and if yours has overheated you could end up needing to have this job done which costs an arm and a leg. I am assuming you are referring to the radiator cooling fans when you say they only come on if you turn on the AC. The fans turn on automatically when you turn on your AC, (this is to ensure adequate air flow through the AC condenser which is like a thin radiator in-front of the engines coolant radiator especially when stopped or driving at low speeds ) however with AC off they should also cut in automatically once the engine reaches a temperature greater than that of the temperature sensor. You may have a faulty engine temperature sensor in which case have it replaced immediately. Also if you have boiled the vehicle at any stage I would replace the thermostat and seal as once boiled, thermostats can jam shut, which will overheat your engine due to lack of circulating coolant. Often the first head gasket to leak coolant is the passengers side at the back of the head. You may smell a weird smell when you pull up as coolant drips onto the hot exhaust and evaporates. :-)

Hi Al49er, I'd have the car checked by your states Autoclub (RAC or similar). The charge is under $200 and well worth it as it will give you a condition report and a good idea of what visibly needs attention. I'd also be asking the owner for repair/part replacement receipts etc so you know what as been performed in the service history.

Second to that, timing belts (Subaru's do have belts) need to changed at 150K intervals (an update from the previous 100K interval). You would want to be having the brake discs and drums checked and other wearing parts.

Wheel bearings are a normal replacement after about 200K or more, with variables depending on the load the car has been used for (towing etc). A WB repair is in the order of $300 a repair.

I have had two Subaru, an L series for 9 years and my 2001 Outback for 5. The latter has done 190K now and performs well and after 5 years I have only had to spend $1800 on normal major repairs recently.

My fuel performance is about 650km for 55L city driving.

Having said all that, I am sure there are a lot of Outback models out there that have done a lot less than 315Km out there to be purchased, though there does seem to be a lot that have!

Just bought a 2002 outback with 270,000kms on it, well looked after. Drives like a dream. Had a couple of subaru's over the years, all bullet proof. Glad to be back in one. Reckon I'll get another 200,000 ks out of this one.

Update on my subaru. Had it 9 months without a problem but then had to get a gear box. Got a recon for $3,500. All good again but 3 months later it now looks like the head gasket is on it's way out which I'm told is even more expensive to fix than the gear box. Apparently these sort of issues arise around the 250,000km mark with many of the Outbacks. I'm hoping once I have to replace that it will be good for another 10 years cause if not, what was a good buy initially will end up being expensive.