1997 Outback Maintenance

[thomashanno]

Hey all,
I recently purchased a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon. It has about
125,000 miles on it, and I have no idea what sort of maintenance has
been performed prior to my purchase (with the exception of the used
dealer who told me he got a new battery, changed the brake pads, and
changed the air filter). I know very little about cars, but a good
friend of mine knows quite a bit (as he cares for his Saturn weekly to
keep it running). He suggested that we change the spark plugs and wires
sometime next month when we have a break. Are there any other general
preventitive maintenance things we should do?

There are only a few problems I can see with it so far. I think that
it's going to need a new exhaust in the next few months (anyone know
about much that will cost?). It's a little loud, and the mechanic
mentioned the need as well.

Also, my rear wiper doesn't work (not a big deal, new motor? blown
fuse?).

Once when I let the car warm up in the morning, the RPMs dropped and
the engine sounded like it was going to shut off. It recovered though.
Is that an indication of a problem? It only happened once...

The last thing is that I think the car got bumped on its front left
side. When I pull up to a wall, I can see that my headlights aren't
aligned. I opened up the hood and snapped the headlight back into
place, which helped a little, but you can still see that the bumper is
hanging slightly (you can move it if you lift on it). Is this something
I should worry about?

I guess that's all. Let me mention again that I don't know cars very
well (this is my first), so any help would really be appreciated. Thank
you.

 

[Josh Assing]

125,000 miles on it, and I have no idea what sort of maintenance has

get a new timing belt if you're not sure.

There are only a few problems I can see with it so far. I think that
it's going to need a new exhaust in the next few months (anyone know
about much that will cost?). It's a little loud, and the mechanic
mentioned the need as well.

Stock exhaust will be a few hundred (500?)

Also, my rear wiper doesn't work (not a big deal, new motor? blown
fuse?).

We had a problem that (while in warranty) the motor went out (97 outback) we
ignored it and eventually put a used motor in it -- works perfectly ever since.

Is that an indication of a problem? It only happened once...

Keep an eye on it -- if it happened once, probably nothing to worry about.

hanging slightly (you can move it if you lift on it). Is this something
I should worry about?

I would worry about it; but I worry...

If the car has been in a wreck; they may not have properly re-attached the
airbag sensors.

I'd have it checked out by your favourite subaru mechanic; preferably not the
the dealer.

Check out www.roopairspecialties.com -- Dan has some exhausts there, I think;
maybe you can get a used one for cheap; but shipping might be a bit much.


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[thomashanno]

My friend had me look at my timing belt, and he told me what to look
for (perpendicular cracks, if I remember correctly). I had never seen
one before, but I didn't really notice any cracks or wear. I'll have
him look at it when I go back to school next month, and if I end up
going to mechanic, I'll have them look at it too.

As for a used motor, is my best bet to find a junkyard and look for
another Outback?

Thank you very very much for the help.

 

[thomashanno]

Oh yeah, also, would it be helpful for me to get a Carfax report for my
car? I had heard that it might at least give me an idea of work/damage
that had been done.

 

[Michael Pardee]

Oh yeah, also, would it be helpful for me to get a Carfax report for my
car? I had heard that it might at least give me an idea of work/damage
that had been done.

Just my limited experience, and that isn't direct...

My son bought a '94 Acura and subscribed to Carfax to check it out. It
showed nothing important, but the hood has no stickers on the underside and
there were wrecking yard markings on several pieces of the body under the
hood. He looked up my daughter's '93 Accord and the report may as well have
been for a different car - it didn't match the trail of owners on the title
and didn't list the repairs after it was stolen. The report even showed it
had been a fleet car, which it definitely wasn't.

Mike

 

[Michael Pardee]

My friend had me look at my timing belt, and he told me what to look
for (perpendicular cracks, if I remember correctly). I had never seen
one before, but I didn't really notice any cracks or wear. I'll have
him look at it when I go back to school next month, and if I end up
going to mechanic, I'll have them look at it too.

As for a used motor, is my best bet to find a junkyard and look for
another Outback?

Thank you very very much for the help.

Absolutely change the timing belt. Not only are cars in that age range often
sold before laying out the big bucks for a timing belt change, but the logic
paints us into the corner. If you don't change the belt now, when will it be
time? Change it now and start the timer for the next change - you can sleep
better and will know when to change it next time... no guessing. BTW - most
failed belts look okay when they suddenly shed some teeth and cast the
engine's fate to the wind.

Mike

 

[Josh Assing]

I would get one from a mechanic (subaru) that deals in that and will give you
some kind of warranty

My friend had me look at my timing belt, and he told me what to look
for (perpendicular cracks, if I remember correctly). I had never seen
one before, but I didn't really notice any cracks or wear. I'll have
him look at it when I go back to school next month, and if I end up
going to mechanic, I'll have them look at it too.

As for a used motor, is my best bet to find a junkyard and look for
another Outback?

Thank you very very much for the help.

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[Josh Assing]

My friend had me look at my timing belt, and he told me what to look

unless he's a mechanic; take it to one & have it changed.

If you timing belt breaks; you will completely destroy the engine. It's due
(for a 97 2.2 at 60K miles most people skip it)


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[Josh Assing]

My friend had me look at my timing belt, and he told me what to look

unless he's a mechanic; take it to one & have it changed.

If you timing belt breaks; you will completely destroy the engine. It's due
(for a 97 2.2 at 60K miles most people skip it & pay for it later...)


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[Josh Assing]

I think CarFax is worthless.

We pooled in to get a month's "subscription" -- after looking at cars that
clearly had damage & carfax didn't show anything; we looked at cars we KNEW to
be bad.

We looked up 3 past cars, 2 of which were "totaled" by the insurance company & 1
was a "salvage" title.

They call came up "clean"

Oh yeah, also, would it be helpful for me to get a Carfax report for my
car? I had heard that it might at least give me an idea of work/damage
that had been done.

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[Bonehenge]

I think CarFax is worthless.

I agree.

It's amazing how many dealers advertise free CarFax reports on any car
on the lot...