QuestionQUESTION: I purchased a used 98 outback 2 years ago and have put roughly $2,600 into
a car the dealer claimed to be in very good condition with all 100,000 service
done. I have had the following repairs done: timing belt (twice), water pump
(twice in one year!?), thermostat and gasket (again twice in one year), lower
radiator hose replacement, cam shaft and crank shaft seals, cooling system
sealer, timing cover seal, clutch, and repacement of rear inspection cover. Its
been about 2,300 miles since I spent $1800, and the thing is leaking oil
(about a quart so far) from inder the engine and I hear a loud clunking noise
in the rear when I hit potholes. Sounds from previous posts that shocks don't
tend to go out on these but is this a possibility? Also, the only other seals I
was told could go to leak oil under engine is the valve seals and I don't think
the oil is comming from there. Should I take it into the shop? At this point I
am very nervous to do so as I can't imagine dropping another grand on this
what I thought to be quality subaru. Could this be a lemon or am I just
getting jacked by the mechanics (I've been to two different ones).
ANSWER: Ok sounds like you have had some trouble getting your repairs done properly or there is some major lack of communication going on.Usually when we look at a car we approach it from the Whole car aspect.Before doing repairs we try to give you the entire overall picture of the vehicles current,and future needs we then prioritize the needed repairs and service.so there are as little surprises as possible.In doing so we try to eliminate having to go back in and make a second major repair in an area we were into recently.Another words if we are in doing a water pump on that year Outback we will always try to recommend resealing the oil pump,replacing the cam seals and replacing the timing belt tensioner.This way it limits the possibilities of future failures as it is a complete repair.It sounds to me like that is part of what is going on here.So what to do from here.If at all possible i would recommend that you find an independent repair shop that either specializes in Subaru or at least Japanese vehicles.Make an appointment ,share with the shop all of the repair orders from the previous repairs you have had done,allow them to diagnose your current needs and review your past repair history .Get the whole picture of current and possible future needs (minus any unforeseen event ) such as a alternator failure.And make your decisions from there. It is quite possible that you have had the wrong people working on your car and a fresh outlook is needed.As far as the noise over bumps the struts and strut mounts do age and most definitely require attention at some time.I hope this helps you and i do feel bad that your Subaru and you are going through a rough spot
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I just heard back from the shop and they said it was the valve seals. I was
fine with that as I knew that was comming. What sounds strage to me is that
he called back and asked what work I had done to it over the past year. He
then told me my head gasket was going to go sometime soon (as evidenced
by a trace of hydrcarbons in the radiator or coolant?) and it may last a week
or 6 months. He also said this is a really common thing in this subaru but it
seems I've not heard that yet, at least for this year... what do you think? The
cost he says to do the repair (minus the timing belt and water pump!!) was
$1700. if all goes well. That brings my total of subaru repair cost in the last
20,000 miles to $4,450!!
AnswerIt is a common issue for that year Subaru.But that being said the way in which the process has gone on is not normal to someone that really knows Subarus.What should have been done early on was a good assessment of the vehicle and decisions made upon those findings.In reading your posts i just don't see that that has happened.
Justin
All Wheel Drive Auto
