Outback1997

Thanks, yes it does sound like fuel. I took off the fuel pump latch and gave the fuel pump unit a few heavy taps with a wrench- and the car started, it could have just been co incidence because the car had been standing for around 40 minutes after the previous attempts to start it.

I was all prepared to take a trip until this morning my 97 outback just wouldn't start, the engine was turning over but just wouldn't fire up. One little piece of information that might be useful is that a few times after i stopped trying to start it it sounded like it almost fired up. I had this problem a few weeks ago but then it started on the 3rd or 4th attempt. But this time no luck

Leggyobw97. - you were spot on. Thanks

Update. I ended up changing the oil for thinner oil, and now it is drinking much less oil, really now its not drinking much oil at all, and I would say that for a car of its age it is an acceptable amount ( almost never have to top-up)

The car has done around 130,000 miles, so not too many miles, but enough for something to have failed like that. I think checking the spark plugs on a boxer engine like this will be a bit beyond my ability, I han barely get my hand anywhere near the spark plugs especially on the right hand side of the engine. When i get time i will have to get it to a mechanic to check out, but im guessing whatever it is, it will be expensive. To be honest I'm thinking about just running the car until it gives up, and meanwhile saving money to get a much newer outback or forrester. If an old car is going to cost me at the mechanic every couple of months, that money could go towards monthly payments of a nearly new car that shouldn't go wrong any time soon.

Wow, seems like im miles off with the oil thickness, but Iwas told by someone some time back that if you are losing oil a thicker oil may help- especially in older engines, is there any truth in that?

Im currently using 15 40 oil semi synthetic for the top ups, the car seems to like it. As you mention doing a pressure test through the spark plug holes, im sure that I have a problem there, I always had a problem with the bottom left spark plug lead coming off the spark plug, it seemed to do it most under accelerating hard. As my wife fell out with the local mechanic, i ended up fixing it myself with a kebab stick wedged in to keep it pressed on! Its been like that for months now without the cable popping off again.

Hello again everyone, Im still enjoying my outback and it is running great, apart from the fact that its drinking oil, around 2 litres for every 4000 miles, and im pretty sure its going out of the exhaust as its a bit smokey especially at start up and kind of smelly. The coolant is clean and no emulsion or other signs of head gasket problems. What do you think could be causing the oil burning?