So Fix it

Changing the spark plugs in your Subaru Outback can greatly improve the fuel economy, the drivability and the overall engine performance. The 1998 Outback is based on the Imprezza platform and was offered with the 2.2-liter H4 engine. The spark plugs are arranged in a 2x2 pattern, or two on each side of the engine. Replace the spark plugs at the intervals recommended in the owners manual, unless you experience a spark plug failure or some other problem with them.

Instructions

1

Locate the battery in the engine compartment of your Outback, then disconnect the negative battery cable end (after loosening the clamp bolt of the cable), using a wrench. Isolate the cable end from the battery to avoid accidentally energizing the ignition system while you are working.

2

Pick one spark plug wire located on the top of the engine and follow it down to the spark plug. Grasp the plug wire boot and while twisting it back and forth, pull it off the plug. Do not pull on the wire itself, or you will risk damaging it beyond repair. Lay the wire aside.

3

Place a spark plug socket over the plug and attach a ratchet to it. Rotate the spark plug counterclockwise until it is free of the cylinder head, then remove it from the engine compartment.

4

Remove the new spark plug from the box, and using a feeler gauge, verify that the plug gap is set to between .039 to .043 by sliding the appropriate blade from the feeler gauge between the electrode and the base of the spark plug. If the plug gap is outside the specified range, adjust it by tapping it closed or open, as needed.

5

Install the new spark plug into the hole in the cylinder head and tighten it by turning it clockwise with the spark plug socket and ratchet until it is snug. Turn it 1/4-turn more, then remove the socket and ratchet.

6

Put a small amount of dielectric grease on the inside of the spark plug wire boot. The grease will repel water, ensuring a good connection, and it will allow the boot to come off the plug easier next time you change the plugs.

7

Move to the next cylinder and repeat the process until you have changed all four plugs. Do not remove more than one plug wire at any time during the process, to avoid mixing up the wires and scrabbling the firing order.

8

Install the negative battery cable end on the battery and tighten the clamp bolt on the cable end. Start the engine to verify that the engine runs as intended.

Starting in the late 1990s, Japanese automaker Subaru installed a 3-liter hemispherical (Hemi) six-cylinder engine called the EZ30 on some of its vehicles -- namely the Tribeca, Legacy and Outback, which is the wagon offshoot of the Legacy. The Outback has experienced problems.

Major Problems

Some Subaru Outbacks of the 2001 to 2003 model years may experience failures of the catalytic converter, air-fuel ratio sensor, knock sensor and/or the cylinder head gaskets. These problems can trigger the "Check Engine" light, and drivers may experience engine stalling, coolant leaks or overheating.

Minor Problems

Although the 2004 Subaru Outback is virtually free of the aforementioned issues, it has an occasional problem with the failure of the oxygen sensor. This causes the "Service Engine Soon" indicator to illuminate, and the vehicle could fail emissions.

Cost of Repair

As of December 2010, MSN.com estimates repair costs as follows: $1,055 to replace the catalytic converter, $200 for the air fuel ratio sensor, $162 for the knock sensor and $595 for the cylinder head gaskets. In some extreme cases related to the aforementioned problems, the mechanic working on the vehicle may need to reprogram the engine control module as well; this can cost an extra $98 for labor. The oxygen sensor is estimated at around $238.

The turn signal bulbs on your 1996 Subaru Impreza are 1156 or 194 bulbs available from most auto parts retailers and Subaru dealerships. When a front or rear turn signal bulb fails on your Impreza, replace the bulbs at home to get your car back on the road within minutes without the need to spend time in a service center waiting room.

Instructions

Front Turn Signal

1

Remove the two screws on the lens cover with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the lens assembly forward until the wiring harness is accessible. Squeeze the tab on the wiring connection, and pull it apart.

2

Twist the bulb and socket counterclockwise, then pull it out of the light assembly. Turn the bulb counterclockwise, and remove it from the socket. Insert the new bulb into the socket, and turn it clockwise.

3

Position the light assembly in the front of the car, and secure it with the mounting screws. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Repeat the process on the opposite light if needed.

Rear Turn Signal

4

Open the rear hatch of the Impreza Outback edition. Pull the cover off the rear of the taillight assembly.

5

Turn the socket assembly counterclockwise to remove it from the light. Turn the bulb counterclockwise, and pull it straight out of the socket. Insert the new bulb into the socket, and turn it clockwise.

6

Push the cover back on the taillight assembly. Repeat the process on the opposite light if needed, then close the rear hatch.

Subaru is a Japanese company that started manufacturing the Foresters back in 1997. The on-board diagnostics computer will illuminate the "Check Engine" light on the instrument cluster when it detects a malfunction from one of the sensors in the emissions system or in the engine. You need a scan tool to read the trouble code generated by the computer. This tool can be obtained from any auto parts store. Once the code has been read and the problem fixed, you may still need to reset the light and shut off the "Check Engine" light. This can be done without the use of any special tools and it should only take you about 10 minutes to complete the task.

Instructions

1

Find the fuse panel cover on the drivers side dashboard and pull it open with your fingers.

2

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to "Run."

3

Locate and remove the fuse pullers within the fuse panel. Look on the inside of the fuse panel cover and locate the ECU fuse. Pull this fuse out of the fuse box using the fuse pullers.

4

Wait about five minutes and the put the ECU fuse back in place.

5

Turn the vehicle on and verify that the "Check Engine" light has shut off.

The Subaru Impreza is a four-door passenger vehicle with all-wheel drive which has been in production since 1992. The WRX is a version of the Impreza that has a turbocharger. The 2004 model features a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine with a double overhead camshaft. This engine uses a timing belt to drive the camshafts with the crankshaft, allowing the cylinder valves to open and close in the correct sequence.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable on the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Disconnect the V-belt and the crankshaft pulley from the engine. Remove the left timing belt cover, right timing belt cover and front timing belt cover in that order.

2

Disconnect the guides for the timing belt with a socket wrench if your vehicle has a manual transmission. Remove the No. 1 idler pulley, timing belt and the No. 2 idler pulley in that order. Disconnect the timing belt tension adjuster assembly.

3

Push the adjuster rod on the timing belt adjuster down with a constant pressure of 66 lbs. until the end of the adjuster rod reaches the surface of its cylinder. Place a 0.08-inch Allen wrench into the pin hole of the cylinder to hold the adjuster rod in place.

4

Install the timing adjuster and tighten its retainers to 29 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Attach the the No. 2 idler pulley and No. 1 idler pulley in that order. Tighten the retainers for both pulleys to 29 foot-pounds.

5

Turn the crankshaft sprocket clockwise to align its timing mark with the timing mark on the oil pump. The double lines on the left intake camshaft must align with the double lines on the left exhaust camshaft sprocket. The double lines on the right intake camshaft must align with the double lines on the right exhaust camshaft sprocket.

6

Place the new timing onto the sprockets with the arrow pointing in the clockwise direction. The "A" mark on the timing belt must align with the timing mark on the crankshaft, The "B" mark aligns with the left intake cam shaft, the "C" mark aligns with the timing mark on the left exhaust camshaft, the "D" mark aligns with the timing mark on the right intake camshaft and the "E" mark aligns with the right exhaust camshaft.

7

Attach the belt idlers and tighten their mounting bolt to 29 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Remove the Allen wrench from the cylinder on the timing belt adjuster.

8

Replace the guide for the timing belt if your vehicle has a manual transmission. Ensure that the clearance between the guide and the timing belt is between 0.019 and 0.059 inches Tighten the retainers for the timing belt guide to 7 foot-pounds.

9

Replace the timing belt covers and tighten their mounting bolts to 3.5 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the crankshaft pulley and tighten its mounting bolt to 94 foot-pounds. Install the V-belt.

If you need to have body work done on your Subaru, select a body shop that uses genuine Subaru parts. When you take your vehicle to a Subaru dealer, you can be sure they use genuine parts. If you take it to another body shop, you can verify that the replacement parts are Subaru-built by a simple examination. If you order parts for a do-it-yourself repair project, there is a way you can confirm that the parts are genuine Subaru parts. Many parts do not have the Subaru name or symbol imprinted on them.

Instructions

Inspecting Body Work

1

If you have a fender, door or hood replaced on your vehicle. You can visually inspect it to verify it is a genuine Subaru part.

2

Search the inside edges of the replacement part for the name Subaru. Use a flashlight to look for the marking. Hold the flashlight at an angle to the medal edges to spot the name.

3

The word "Subaru" will be stamped into the formed sheet metal margin of the body parts. The name is imbedded so it is the same color as the vehicles paint. The size is approximately 3/16 inch tall by 1 3/8 inches long. It may be difficult to see.

Identifying Replacement Parts

4

A massive number of parts that go into a Subaru will also go into a Mazda, Chevrolet or Ford. The manufacturers who make mechanical parts for Subaru also make parts for other auto makers because some items such as bearings or clutch plates are uniformly sized and formed. Knowing this, there are some replacement parts that you cannot identify as Subaru parts unless they are still in their packaging. Genuine Subaru parts meet Subaru specifications and come in packaging labeled "Genuine Subaru Parts."

5

Select a repair shop that pledges to use genuine Subaru replacement parts or take your car to a Subaru dealer.

6

Before work begins on your vehicle, ask the repair shop to retain all boxes and bubble packs from the parts they will install on your car. This way you can see that the parts came in Subaru packaging.

7

If you plan to work on the car yourself, order parts from a Subaru dealer or online Subaru part supplier.

8

Some Subaru parts feature the official Subaru symbol of a six-star constellation. If you have a steering wheel or wheel hubs replaced, you can tell if they are genuine parts because these items feature the star constellation insignia.

Subaru Motors has employed multiple catalytic converters on its vehicles for many years now. Because the engine compartments are small and since the catalysts need heat to operate effectively, Subaru designed smaller converters and integrated them into the exhaust pipes--rather then employ a single, larger converter as most cars did at one time.

The Structure and Design

Many converters on Subarus begin at a front Y-pipe that bolts to both sides of the engine. In some newer applications, a third or fourth smaller converter is also integrated into the construction of the pipe. It is not uncommon to see yet another converter downstream integrated in the construction of an intermediate pipe. With so many converters, one of them is bound to need replacement at some point.

The walls of the shell on the Subaru converters are designed thin in order to reduce the resistance of exhaust gases. While this benefits the performance of the engine, it compromises the structural durability of the shell. In addition, since the converters are often integrated into the construction of the Y, or intermediate exhaust pipes, the pipe extensions can fail, requiring the replacement of the entire pipe and converter assembly.

Another more slightly annoying feature Subaru owners discover about the exhaust system on their vehicles are heat shield rattles. Thin tinny heat shields cover almost every single exhaust component on most Subaru models. These heat shields are susceptible to exposure and can break loose from connections and create annoying rattles while driving.

Cost

Because of the integration of the pipe and converter assemblies, Subaru converters are very expensive. The front Y-pipe assemblies can cost twice as much money to replace as the rear converter assembly. Many owners not savvy enough to do the work, will have to dish out money for labor installation as well.

While there are many quality aftermarket catalytic converter manufacturers these days, you can price the converters and pay less than half what the Subaru dealer will be asking. Finding a local repair station to install it for you will still save you money in the long run.

Although much cheaper, universal converters are not always an option when it comes to a Subaru. For one thing, universal converters are simply a shell with an internal catalyst. They need to be welded into the system are attached by clamps and sleeves. Because of the awkward angles and the small size of the Subaru converters--especially in the front Y-pipe--finding the right size and then welding it into the existing pipe without compromising how it needs to bolt to the engine and the remaining exhaust system is very difficult.

Internal Break Down

Subaru vehicles generally run well, and catalytic converters rarely fail unless something causes the damage. Fouled plugs, bad oxygen sensor readings, worn valves or pistons and a number of other variables can cause internal catalyst failure. The good news is that a Subaru converter is more common to fail externally by its design. The bad news is, if you dont take care of your Subaru and it causes damage to one or more of the converters, you now have a bigger problem. Buying and replacing the converters will be expensive enough. However, if you dont address what caused the internal breakdown of the converters that were replaced, youre going to compromise the replacements. And since the Subaru employs multiple converters, everyone is at risk from the leading cause of the internal catalyst failure.