QuestionQUESTION: This 1999 Legacy Wagon 30 anniversary special edition has the 2.5L engine. 5 sp manual.
typical commute 20 mi /day
first incident, car died on vacation after 150 mi trip (of course!) Engine turned over but car wouldn't start.
Diagnosis, replace fuel pump. Done. Smelled gas 1 week later, my mechanic diagnosis, bad (NEW) fuel pump wont hold pressure and kinked hose, replaced all the above.
In nine months since I've had 9 instances of the car not starting. same behavior, turns over, won't start.
3 times the car DID start after waiting for a period of 8 to 24 hours. 3 times I got a rolling down hill-pop the clutch start. 3 other times it has been towed to the shop. Over that time new spark plugs, new air and fuel filters.
Until 2005 I had all my warrenty and other maint. done at the dealership. All these issues and repairs done by my neighborhood mechanics. Is it time to take it to the higher priced Subaru dealership mechanics? Suggestions on what to troubleshoot?
Thank you
Kerry
ANSWER: The thing you have to remember is that Subaru Tech's are familiar with subarus, and work on them day in and day out. They see all the typical things that go wrong with them. Yes, it is more expensive to take it to the dealer, but you are paying for the experience and knowledge that they posess. We go through extensive training from Subaru. That's the anvantage to paying the higher labor rate.
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QUESTION: When I take it to the dealer for work, do you have any thoughts on what should be considered given the symptoms, the "repair" work already done and the fact that the problem continues.
Thanks Kerry
AnswerWhen the fuel pump was replaced did it start ok for awhile and then quit again? When you pop the clutch, did it start and run ok, till you shut it off? If it is the fuel pump, you wouldn't be able to pop the clutch and have it start. Any other symptoms, like check engine light, or hesitation when it's running?
