Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with outback

Aftermarket stereo in a 2006 Outback?

squishy — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:48:15 -0800

Can I install an aftermarket stereo into a 2006 Subaru Outback? The stereo/HVAC panel is a bit odd - integrating hvac and emergency light button - it looks like this. Crutchfield seems to sell a new face to fit aftermarket stereo receivers, but people are saying on blogs that it "could" disable the HVAC because the wiring is connected.

Does anyone know if that's true? Has anyone done it?

Do head gasket sealers in a bottle work?

bystander — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:58:33 -0800

Do head gasket "repair" liquids work at all? I think I have a head gasket problem (related 1, 2) in my 1998 Subaru Outback. The only symptom is an overheating engine that hasn't been fixed by a new thermostat and 'checked' radiator.
I don't really want to spend $thousands on replacing head gaskets if it can be avoided. Do the fixes in a bottle work at all? I don't particularly want to link them here if they are a scam, but the brands I have found are Thermagasket, Steel Seal and K&W Permanent Metallic Block Seal.
This wiki article at Answers.com says maybe, but is obviously vulnerable to bias.
A medium term fix would be a win for me.
I would rather hear about real world experience, rather than an apprentice mechanic saying they would never risk it.

Why is my Subaru stuttering after a fillup?

delfuego — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:13:32 -0800

Does anyone have any ideas about why my 2003 Subaru Outback stutters on acceleration for the ten or fifteen minutes after I fill it up with gas? For the past few months, I've noticed that in the short period after I fill up my car with gas, it stutters on acceleration -- not terribly, and not so much that I feel like I'm in danger of stalling, but definitely a noticeable stuttering that wasn't there before. Like I said, this only ever happens for the ten or fifteen minutes after I fill up, and then never again until the next fill-up. I don't have any stuttering or idling problems in the cold, immediately after starting my car normally, or any of that; my check engine light isn't on (and doesn't come on during these periods), my gas cap is nice and tight, and I was last serviced about 6K miles ago.

A few details: the car is a 2003 Subaru Outback Limited Edition with a manual transmission, I fill it up with 87 octane gas (as I always have), no major driving pattern changes in a few years. The car has less than 50K miles on it to date.

I'm not the most trusting person when it comes to my local Subaru dealer (long story), so I was looking for a little advice as to what might be causing the problem before I bring it into someone to take a look. Any auto mechanics out there who have a few ideas to toss into the ring?

Is a universal oxygen sensor really universal?

Opposite George — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:55:12 -0800

ScoobyFilter: It's time to replace the oxygen sensors in my 2001 Subaru Outback. "Universal" replacements run about half the cost of the OEM version. Am I asking for trouble by taking the cheap way out? I drive a 2001 Outback VDC with the H6 engine. It takes three O2 sensors -- two before and one after the catalytic converter. They're all the four-wire type. The car has 165,000 miles already so the less money spent the better.

Surfing the 'net suggests I have two options -- go with OEM-style sensors for about $100 each, or "universal" 4-wire sensors for under $50. The OEM-style sensors come with a Subaru-style plug attached, while the universal ones require I reuse the existing connector and do some splicing. I have the car's electrical diagrams and pinouts so that shouldn't be a problem.

Financially, universal sounds like the way to go but I'm hesitant. First, I read an article suggesting some cars require slightly different sensor heater currents and therefore shouldn't use universal sensors -- this was in an article about BMWs, though and I don't know if this applies to Subarus. Also, universal sensors seem to be rarer than the OEM style (e.g., my local parts stores don't carry them.) If AutoZone has no problem selling discount replacement brake pads, why don't they carry discount replacement O2 sensors? I'm worried that it might be because they're no good.

So does anybody know if universal is good enough for my make/model, or do I have to spring for the OEM type?

Bad Gas Mileage

retro88 — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:53:38 -0800

Why is my Outback only getting 21 MPG! I recently bought a new Subaru Outback wagon that is rated for 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the Hwy. I recently took it on a road trip and was not very pleased with the mpg I was getting. Both city and interstate driving were hovering around 21 mpg. I talked with the dealer and they had two things to say. One it is a new car and it takes time to “break-in” the engine to see expected results. And two, occasionally “flooring” it to get the rpm’s up will help break in the engine and clean out built up carbon etc.

My questions are, how long do I put up with this below expected gas mileage, is there anything I/or the dealership can do about it, and is “flooring” and driving it hard occasionally good for the engine?

Side notes, the car was moderately loaded (two suitcases and camping gear for two) and I had two bikes mounted on the roof (I know this would add some drag, but didn’t think it would be a noticeable difference.)

My previous car was an 95 Subaru Legacy Brighton, I was used to getting 24/30 mpg with it. It had a similar but smaller engine

Thanks!