99 Subaru Outback – Check Engine Light On

[Phillip Montagliano]

I have a 99 Subaru Outback with 75000 miles on it that has had the check engine light on for about two months. It has gone on in the past and stays on for a week or so then gone off but not this time. I disconnected the negative battery cable for 20 minutes and when I started the car the check engine light went on and never turned off. Next I went to the Autozone to get the codes which were:

1. P0301 – Cyl 1 miss firing
2. P0420 – Catalytic converter which could be caused by engine miss firing or bad Oxygen Sensor

I was going to get a tune up first to see if that would correct both problems and resolve my check engine light issue. (The car has original spark plugs still). However when I called Pep Boys for the cost they quoted $320.00, which seems high.

My questions are:

1. Is $320.00 about right for a 75000 mile tune up (not sure what it includes the guy said he got the price out of the computer)?
2. Am I doing the right thing getting a tune-up first to see if it solves the problem or should I just take it to the dealer and cross my fingers?
3. Is there anything else I should be checking or doing?

Thanks

 

[BobN]

Depending on how handy you are, you can do the spark plugs yourself in an hour or two and save $300. I'd ask the guy what exactly they would do for that "tuneup". Engines these days are so computerized that there isn't much to do besides change fluids and plugs. As to Pep Boys, I wouldn't trust anyone but a Subaru specialist to change the coolant because it's tricky to do it right and doing it wrong seems to cause overheating/head gasket leaks/head cracks/multi-$000 repairs in short order.

 

[Matt Levitt]

We have a 99 Outback as well, except with 103,000 miles. It just kicked P0303 & P0304 yesterday. I've got an appointment scheduled at Doyle Subaru in Webster, nY because I figure I might as well do the timing belt at the same time as diagnose this issue (they have a $250 coupon for timing belt change). They quoted me $120 to do spark plugs, which seems high to me. Doyle doesn't want to do the spark plugs before they do other tests first in regard to the CEL (seems sensible to me).

I'm dropping the car off tonight, so it should be interesting. Keep us all posted with your experience.

- Matt

 

[Phillip Montagliano via CarKB.com]

Interesting I'm from Rochester to, I called Piehler they said:

Plugs – 70.10 Single Cam 139.15 Dual Cam (Dual Cam requires Platinum Plugs last for 60 Months) Fuel Filter 57.05 Air Filter 19.00 Catalytic converter is covered under the 8 year 80,000 mile emission warranty

Made the appointment for Monday will let you know how I make out.

We have a 99 Outback as well, except with 103,000 miles. It just kicked P0303 & P0304 yesterday. I've got an appointment scheduled at Doyle Subaru in Webster, nY because I figure I might as well do the timing belt at the same time as diagnose this issue (they have a $250 coupon for timing belt change). They quoted me $120 to do spark plugs, which seems high to me. Doyle doesn't want to do the spark plugs before they do other tests first in regard to the CEL (seems sensible to me).

I'm dropping the car off tonight, so it should be interesting. Keep us all posted with your experience.

- Matt

I have a 99 Subaru Outback with 75000 miles on it that has had the check engine light on for about two months. It has gone on in the past and stays on

[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]

Thanks

 

[BobN]

Interesting I'm from Rochester to, I called Piehler they said:

Plugs – 70.10 Single Cam 139.15 Dual Cam (Dual Cam requires Platinum Plugs last for 60 Months) Fuel Filter 57.05 Air Filter 19.00 Catalytic converter is covered under the 8 year 80,000 mile emission warranty

There's a lot of labor in those prices. I got a fuel filter for under $25 and it took 15 minutes to install. Air filter $9, took 5 minutes. Plugs (also platinum, I think they were the top-of-the-line Bosch) around $30. The plugs were a PITA to install but that was self-inflicted since I didn't have the correct tools.

 

[Frank (5)]

98 forester. original spark plugs until 95,000. check engine light indicated misfire. i told mechanic that i knew it must be spark plugs. $120 not unreasonable because replacement plugs are very expensive, and labor on this is not easy. i preferred to have it done rather than risk stripping the threads.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Gee; the OEM replacement spark plugs from Advanced Auto or AutoZone cost about $1.69 each + tax. I think 320 dollars for a tune up is ridiculous. However if it's the standard 30,60,90 or 120,000 mile mantance schedule then it's not to bad as almost all fluids (transmission. two differentials, brake fluid flush and of course changing the spark plugs, fuel filter, air cleaner + a lot the general inspections including a tire rotation. Look in your owner manual or service manual and see what all is supposed to be done. Take the book with you with only what you want done and resist any recommended dealer personal "extras) that are not needed.

 

[Matt Levitt]

Doyle diagnosed the cause of my issue as the ignition coil. They charged 100 for a new coil, 60 for a new wire set and 150 for labor.

Piehler looks like they're a bit cheaper than Doyle.

Interesting I'm from Rochester to, I called Piehler they said:

Plugs – 70.10 Single Cam 139.15 Dual Cam (Dual Cam requires Platinum Plugs last for 60 Months) Fuel Filter 57.05 Air Filter 19.00 Catalytic converter is covered under the 8 year 80,000 mile emission warranty

Made the appointment for Monday will let you know how I make out.

We have a 99 Outback as well, except with 103,000 miles. It just kicked P0303 & P0304 yesterday. I've got an appointment scheduled at Doyle Subaru in Webster, nY because I figure I might as well do the timing belt at the same time as diagnose this issue (they have a $250 coupon for timing belt change). They quoted me $120 to do spark plugs, which seems high to me. Doyle doesn't want to do the spark plugs before they do other tests first in regard to the CEL (seems sensible to me).

I'm dropping the car off tonight, so it should be interesting. Keep us all posted with your experience.

- Matt

I have a 99 Subaru Outback with 75000 miles on it that has had the check engine light on for about two months. It has gone on in the past and stays on

[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]

Thanks