Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

178101213170

Comments

  • ochsskochssk Member Posts: 52
    Our new LLBean kept having the check engine light come on so I finally got it into the dealer. It appears the ECU is defective and has to be sent to New Jersey to be reprogrammed. According to the service manager this is an ongoing problem with the H-6's and he expected a recall soon to fix the problem. So my wife is without her Bean and I'm stuck with a Dodge Neon junk rental. The neon makes our Saturn look great.

    On the plus side the dealer was great explaining the situation, fixing the other minor problems, and getting the rental car set up.

    No car is perfect and I still expect to get 100+K out of the Bean. The customer service was excellent.

    Steve
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Steve - Only 100K? Hmmm, I expect 200K+ out of my base OB. :-)

    Anyway, the H4s have a program going on to reprogram the ECU for the CEL. Had mine done last week, although I had no CELs come on. I'm still convinced the car is running much smoother now.

    James - I just put the Sport A2s on my OB. Really smooth and quiet. Good in the rain. However, they are new and I will need to see how they do with some tread gone and in the snow. For now, I would recommend them. FYI - their max pressure is 44PSI. I'm at 35 now and will try 40 this weekend (match my age).

    Greg
  • rob999rob999 Member Posts: 233
    Re: 'H4s have a program going on to reprogram the ECU'

    Is this a service bulletin? If so, what years are affected?
  • ochsskochssk Member Posts: 52
    I said a 100+ K (note the plus)! If it goes 200K all the better!

    Steve
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    You'll get a notice directly from Subaru if your is involved. You can also go to my.subaru.com and create your 'home' page or call 1-800-SUBARU3 to check the vin. Also check the Subaru Crew topics, especially Meet the Members for more on this discussion.

    Mine also did not exhibit the over sensitive CE, but was one of the ECU's affected. 2 tankfuls later, I haven't notice a difference. Seems the same (which is good, since I liked the way it was running prior to the update).

    -Brian
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    44 psi is the max pressure for the specified axle weight. I would think 40 psi would be much too high for regular street driving. (Might be ok for an autocross or something.)

    You might actually bounce on some potholes affecting control and I'm sure your ride would suffer.

    My $0.02.

    Jim
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Jim - can you please elaborate? Not sure if I understand.

    OK - lets start a little friendly competition. Who can get the most miles out of their Subaru without major overhauls. Minimum requirement is 200K to qualify. Of course it will be a while before some of us can get near that (only at 25K now). Let the clock start.

    Greg
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    :)

    -mike
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Isn't that like 80K Paisan miles?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    well I got it with 125K on the ticker. So only 5K of those miles are Paisan miles. So theoretically it's at 135K wear miles :)

    -mike
  • idahodougidahodoug Member Posts: 537
    I agree with Jim that straying too far above the factory pressure recommendations is not wise. Your tires are part of a vertical column spring system that includes the vehicle's spring and it's shock damper (strut in our case). The shock is designed to dampen movement from the spring itself and the spring action of the tire (simply a rubber air filled spring whose spring rate is determined by internal air pressure). A firmer tire has a significantly different spring rate (higher) that was not part of the design. As a result, it can easily overcome and overwork the shock damping.

    This results in ride deterioration, shock overheating, and a tire that loses contact with the ground a higher percent of the time over rough pavement. No improvement in ride, deteriorated traction, and increased wear on components including the tire which wears out its center. Even snow traction and braking distance suffer.

    You should consider remaining within a few pounds of the factory pressures unless you've changed the tire size to a larger one. Then you should consider staying below the factory pressure as the larger tire has a greater load capacity at a given pressure and you are again trying to remain within the tire spring rate the unchanged suspension expects to deal with.
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    44 psi is the max pressure for the specified axle weight.

    The fine print on the tire is something like "44 psi at 1040 lbs load" if you are going to overload the car, you can increase the pressure up to 44 psi. Just don't use that high a pressure with the typical day-to-day loads.

    It reminds me of a photo on one of the Edmund's topics. A Pinto or similar with bags of cement in the back and 10 or 12 sheets of plywood on top. The tires were flattened by the immense weight.

    Doug, thanks for the clearer explaination.
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    I will stay at my current 35 PSI, stop and then go really slow over the bumps and buy an Impreza for a more handling experience. :)

    Thanks,
    Greg
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    Sorry Greg, I certainly didn't mean to make you paranoid. The suspension on our Subies are fine and will handle the bumps with no problem.

    I don't brake for no railroad tracks!

    I usually run +3 psi on my Legacy, about 35 front and 33 rear. Maintaining the factory recommended 2 psi difference front to rear.

    Jim
  • ochsskochssk Member Posts: 52
    Now I'm annoyed. Apparently Subaru in New Jersey lost my ECU unit so I'm stuck with a junk rental through the weekend. They are shipping a brand new one after reprogramming it to correct the misfire code.

    Hopefully they didn't get confused and ship the old ECU out to someone else!

    Steve
  • trek2002trek2002 Member Posts: 17
    My 02 OBW 4cyl Automatic with currently 5k on it has the throttle induced whistle between
    60-80mph. If throttle is released and at
    speed between 60-80 the whistle stops completely.

    This is DEFINITELY a throttle(accelerator pedal) depressed symptom. The dealer diagnosed the problem as "Pinion Bearing / Gear Ring"
    Dealer replaced all the necessary parts and the whistle symptom still remained. Dealer said they considered the car repaired and referred me to the District Rep. I'm currently awaiting for him to return from vacation so he can have a good listen. Just hope he doesn't wear hearing aids and has an open mind to the fact that the whistle noise is still present.

    The noise is just a little different sounding now after the repair work, but is still there while the throttle is depressed and speeds of 60-80mph.

    An added note, this last week I test drove the exact same vehicle at TWO different dealerships and both cars DID NOT have the throttle generated whistle between 60-80mph.
  • wmiller4wmiller4 Member Posts: 97
    This may sound dumb but....... have they checked to make sure the air filter box is closed? Maybe when vehicle was being asembled the air filter box did not get put together correctly? Are all of the air intake system parts installed correctly?

    Just thinking out loud.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hey folks, just installed that 6CD changer in our new Legacy. I put details up in the Subaru Crew - Modifications topic.

    Not bad, about 3 hours. Found it for $150 from a local WRX owner that got XM satellite radio. Sweet deal.

    I'm looking for another if anyone knows of one, this for my Forester.

    -juice
  • vincer2vincer2 Member Posts: 97
    Could the whining noise you're experiencing be the infamous roof rack cross bar whine? My 2000 OB wagon does it rather consistently and it sounds like its coming from the right rear wheel.

    Service rep told me it was caused by air moving over the roof rack cross bar. I didn't believe him but the next time I heard the whining noise I slightly popped the front moon roof to alter the air flow over the cross member and the noise immediately stopped.

    If you don't have a limited with the moonroof try removing the cross bar to see if the noise stops.

    Vince
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Did the first CD you try have the words "I love you, you love me, ......"?

    Greg
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    no problem, I wasn't paranoid. I just like to hear other opinions which might add to my knowledge. Isn't that what a good engineer does?

    Greg
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Can you please call us? Please tell the Rep. to contact me after they start a case.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Close, Greg. We listened to "5 Little Monkeys". Honestly.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    ateixeira Jun 24, 2002 8:59am

    juice-
    will keep an eye out :)
    I'm scavenging for subwoofer now and maybe tweeters for the OBS :D

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks, bought one yesterday. Your buddy did e-mail me, though.

    -juice
  • petew3petew3 Member Posts: 18
    ochssk- I just had the same done with my ECU. (sent to Subaru to be reprogrammed). This after having 4 various sensors replaced since I've had it (1 yr old, 35K, 2001 VDC). Hopefully this is the end of the sensor/check engine light debacle.
  • petew3petew3 Member Posts: 18
    For 6 months now I've had a very annoying 'flutter' (for lack of a better word) seemingly in the gas supply or ignition. It's almost like it's miss firing but more subtle than that. It happens mainly from approx. 60 -80 mph (but it also happens to a lesser degree at lower speeds) and seems to be more pronounced with the cruise control making small adjustments to the speed. I've repeatedly had it checked by the dealer who tells me that nothing is wrong (mainly because there are no fault codes). This isn't my imagination & it's makin me crazy - I've even thought of trading it in. It's a 2001 VDC with 35K. Now here's the kicker.... recently I found that I had a slow leak in the right rear tire & when I fill it with air the 'flutter' goes away but comes back after a half day or so (even though the tire is at around the same pressure. The way this feels, I would swear it's in the fuel system (or ignition). But what's up with the tire???? Is there something about all wheel drive that will manifest this way if the pressures aren't balanced?? The problem pre-dates the tire leak so I don't think it's just the tire..... Help
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'll take some educated guesses:

    * is the A/C on, if so could it be the compressor noise?
    * water in the gas line? Try DryGas
    * ignition system? change plugs/wires
    * rear limited-slip differential is engaging due to the tire pressure differences (edit: no, not on a VDC)

    It's hard, because most likely for the 2nd and 3rd items above, you'd get a CEL.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    * rear limited-slip differential is engaging due to the tire pressure differences (edit: no, not on a VDC)


    VDC system works like an LSD and would apply brake in that situation.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but the brakes would likely make a different noise. That was my thinking.

    -juice
  • ochsskochssk Member Posts: 52
    The dealer got a new reprogrammed ECU in and I picked up the car on Monday. Runs fine with no CEL light coming on.

    It's nice to be out of Dodge Neon rental!

    Patti, was your message to contact Subaru for me. If so I don't feel it's necessary since the car was repaired albeit three days later than expected.

    Steve
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Yes, it was. I'd still appreciate if you would give us a call. I won't be in, but please ask the Rep. to start a case and get all of the repair information from the dealer. I'll look at it when I get back.

    I'm sorry it took so long!

    Patti
  • petew3petew3 Member Posts: 18
    "VDC system works like an LSD and would apply brake in that situation."

    Mike- are you suggesting that the VDC may cause my "flutter" if a tire has lower pressure than the rest??? I get no VDC light activity. Thanks, Pete
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    activate the brake on a wheel if it's turning faster/slower than the others, especially side to side. That is why the VDC system doesn't have a rear LSD cause it would be redundent. I'm not sure the VDC light would come into play, I'm not sure when it is supposed to come on.

    -mike
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Pete-
    I was thinking on the same line as Mike.
    If I understood correct the VDC, like our AWD, is constantly working. Why no VDC light? Look at it as an idiot light, in the event of adverse condition, to tell you not to panic and it is the VDC at work. The tire pressure diff is not adverse enough to kick the VDC into full fledge counter measure and turn on the 'idiot' light.

    -Dave
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    What dave said!

    -mike
  • petew3petew3 Member Posts: 18
    never even considered that VDC could have anything to do with it. So I'll fix the tire & see if it continues. Thanks for the post Mike & Dave! Yo Patty (et al)... any opinion from the SOA folks????(see my first post above re: the flutter). Thanks, Pete
  • ochsskochssk Member Posts: 52
    I will call it into a Rep on Monday. I don't have any paperwork with me at work today.

    Thanks

    Steve Ochs
    Mesa, AZ
  • petew3petew3 Member Posts: 18
    thx Steve..............Pete
  • emmalineemmaline Member Posts: 27
    I've had these experiences with my 2002 Legacy Wagon: 1) A Check Engine Light that came on randomly...good news is that the dealership sent the ECU back to be reprogrammed, and so far I've not had the problem; 2) A "wind tunnel" type noise coming from what seems to me to be the right passenger side, mostly between 45 to 65 MPH...it's very annoying, and friends who have been passengers in my car have heard it also; 3) a new high-pitched ringing type noise that I'd not heard before. My car just turned 6,000 miles.

    I have an appointment with the dealer to look into these problems, but I would like to hear from any other Subaru owners who have similar experiences. Emma
  • emmalineemmaline Member Posts: 27
    Forgot to mention in my last post that I've had one other problem. Sometimes when I'm shifting into first, my car stutters and stops. This is a problem when you're pulling into traffic. I've found if I "regroup" and give it more gas, it's ok, but there are those moments when the car is bucking and not responding as it should. P.S. I have a manual. Emma
  • lightrodlightrod Member Posts: 1
    I bought a demo car (02 Outback VDC), 11 days later the dealer installed a rear spoiler and applied paint protection. When I picked it up the car I noticed that it had spots all over the roof, hood, and rear hatch. The bigger spots look like water spots and I have been told that they were caused by acid rain. I have been going back and forth with the dealer and have not gotten very far, they had the Subaru rep look at it and I was told that this is not covered under any warranty. Has anyone else had problems with the paint on their car?
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Just exactly what is the paint protection anyway?

    bit
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    If there's problems with the paint finish AFTER the application of 'paint protection', then the maker of the paint protection should be responsible, not Subaru. Were you able to see the whole vehicle before the protection was applied?

    BTW, you would have been fine w/o the paint protection. More than likely, you could have saved yourself $$$ by just doing routine waxing. IMHO, YMMV.

    -Brian
  • jcy02objcy02ob Member Posts: 16
    I think you and I could be hearing the same thing although my noises are still a mystery to me. See my prior posts 444 and 451. I did the tire swap from the Bridgestones to Firestone Wilderness and still heard the whistle but I think it might have been a different pitch and not quite as noticeable. Could the Firestones whistle also? I don't know. I also drove a random new '02 OB wagon off the lot and heard a similar noise though I'm not satisfied with 'they all do that'. My whistle type noise is not accelerator related and is most noticeable at around 65 mph although I hear it at lower and higher speeds as well. To me, the noise I'm hearing is noticeable and really annoying. I'd like to swap out tires with Dunlops but I just can't afford to throw away the Potenzas if the tires are not making the noise. Whats funny is that if I stretch while driving and get my head right up close to the windshield and over the steering wheel, the noise disappears or at least I don't hear it. I'm baffled by this and have tried to consider why I hear this whistle in my normal driving position (I'm 5'11"). There's a TSB out on the roof rack/crossbars making noise but I haven't gotten the specifics or remedy. Maybe this is my noise, again, I'm baffled. BTW-neither a mechanic or the service manager could hear the noise I can hear. I found this really hard to believe as its so apparent to me. Anyway...just my thoughts. Keep us informed about your efforts to get rid of your noises and what your dealer says. Also, today I call and find out if my car is affected by a recall re: brake failure at freezing temperatures. It seems there are 1252 OB's affected by bad master cylinders that were built in Feb. and March 2002. I checked my sticker and its a March car.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    fuel pump?...
    I could hear them @ ~70mph and up, if there isn't any other road noise masking it.

    -Dave
  • emmalineemmaline Member Posts: 27
    I'm taking my Legacy in this week to check on the whistle noise. I'll mention the possible causes others have shared on this list (thanks for the posts). I do have one or two service records from the dealership mentioning wheel noise, but I was preoccupied at the time with the ECU light coming on. The noise does come and go, which makes it difficult to diagnose, but I've had several friends hear it, and say it is very noticeable. Last week, I had the first opportunity to appreciate what AWD means when I found myself off road and having to "climb" up a hill. My Legacy seemed to "walk" up the hill...with no skidding or sliding. I felt very safe, and finally understood what AWD means. But I'd like to have AWD without the annoying noise. I'll get back with what my dealership says. Emma
  • robert116robert116 Member Posts: 36
    Hello:
    I and a number of other members unfortunately are experiencing a slow coolant loss with H6 engines and as far as I can determine no resolutions have been reached, regrettably including our own problem.
    Has anyone else had an oil analysis done, and if so was glycol present in the sample?

    I would like to establish a data base of the number of individuals who have this problem, the types of repairs, if any, which were done and the result of these repairs.

    Please contact me at :

    RobertSmith320@hotmail.com
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Emma: I've found that the gas pedal isn't as linear as my Forester's (we also have a 2002 Legacy wagon). Also, if you inspect it closely, you'll see the upper portion flexes down before the pedal actually moves the throttle, so pressing on the lower portion yields a more direct throttle response.

    The dealer can adjust the window angles to address that noise. We've been CEL-free. But don't worry much unless it is blinking. Our L model does not have cross bars and it's very quiet, so check those.

    If a dealer sells paint protection and it fails to protect the paint, they'd better cover it. Or at least get a refund on that nonsense.

    Robert: I haven't heard of specific complaints here at Edmunds about that.

    -juice
  • mikenkmikenk Member Posts: 281
    Like Robert, I have had the same problem with slow coolant loss (Three overflow tanks in 15k miles). Although mine does not seem to be as severe as Robert's, it is still a concern. A few months ago on one of these forums, I raised the issue and there were a couple of others with the problem.

    I certainly don't think this is a frequent problem with the H6, but I would like a better explanation than there is no external leaks (per the dealer). No leaks, but where is it going? I can't imagine that evaporation or air pockets explain it.

    Mike
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.