1999 Outback vibrations?

F

fuliu

Hi,
I am planning to buy a used Subaru Outback, and got as far as taking a
1999 model in to a mechanic for prepurchase diagnostics today. The mechanic
was worried about a vibration that shows up around 2000 rpms. It's kind of
a steady hum, shakes the entire car, but fairly moderately, even in neutral.
The mechanic said he hadn't seen this before and was worried it might be
something serious. The owner says the car has always done this, and he
checked on the net (and IIRC with the dealer) and found that it seems to
be a standard issue, and not a serious problem.
I have found posts dating back from around '99 describing similar
vibrations; it also sounds the same as the second item on:
http://www.2carpros.com/makes/subaru1.htm
Was this ever definitively sorted out? I don't think we mind the vibration
itself, but we want to be sure it is not the symptom of something more
serious before we buy. What do you suggest?
Thanks,

Fu
 
My 2000 Forester does not have a vibration at any rpm. How severe is
the vibration ie barly feel it or does it shake the car?
 
My 2000 Forester does not have a vibration at any rpm. How severe is
the vibration ie barly feel it or does it shake the car?

It vibrates the whole car, but it's not very severe. We didn't notice
it on a test drive, and even when the mechanic had us feel it as it
revved up, we wouldn't have thought anything of it if he hadn't said it
concerned him.

Fu
 
Hi,
I am planning to buy a used Subaru Outback, and got as far as taking a
1999 model in to a mechanic for prepurchase diagnostics today. The mechanic
was worried about a vibration that shows up around 2000 rpms. It's kind of
a steady hum, shakes the entire car, but fairly moderately, even in neutral.
The mechanic said he hadn't seen this before and was worried it might be
something serious. The owner says the car has always done this, and he
checked on the net (and IIRC with the dealer) and found that it seems to
be a standard issue, and not a serious problem.
I have found posts dating back from around '99 describing similar
vibrations; it also sounds the same as the second item on:
http://www.2carpros.com/makes/subaru1.htm
Was this ever definitively sorted out? I don't think we mind the vibration
itself, but we want to be sure it is not the symptom of something more
serious before we buy. What do you suggest?
Thanks,

Fu
Fu,
How many miles are on this car. Could it be the motor mounts?
Are you aware of the problem these cars have with blown head gaskets?
Sparky
 
I would find out what is causing the vibration before I would buy. Is
the CEL operating i.e. on when cranking and off after the engine
starts?
 
I would find out what is causing the vibration before I would buy. Is
the CEL operating i.e. on when cranking and off after the engine
starts?

We went to a second mechanic today, also with extensive Subaru
experience, and who also said flatly that this vibration was not
normal, and might be a symptom of something serious. Since the seller
was in a hurry to sell, we passed on the car.
Thanks for your help,

Fu
 

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