mikwilli Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 I'm thinking about buying a 97 Outback with 136k miles. The car seems to be in good condition. My only concerns are a power steering fluid leak and the belt that runs the a/c is missing. Is that belt fairly easy to replace? Is there anything specific I should look for or check before I make the purchase? Any advice? This will be my first Subaru!
kaz98gt Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 power steering fluid leaks are easy enough to trace...do you know where it's coming from? And that belt is cake, just make sure to get the proper tension in it! At 136k, it's interesting...timing job has probably been done, hopefully other maintenance has followed too (clutch, etc.). The headgasket is what you should be really worried about. You need to find out if that has been done, and what gaskets were put in if any. And just a heads up, subarus are known for the quirks, but that's why we love them if you have an auto, shifting will be a little rough, and with a manual the shifter might be feeling loose but that's easy to replace with bushings.
subikid90 Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 Also makes sure the ac compressor isnt shot -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap
mikwilli Posted July 19, 2010 Author Posted July 19, 2010 He told me the timing belt has been done. I'll ask him tonight about the headgasket. The compressor turned easily by hand so it doesn't appear to be seized. I don't think I'll be able to actually test it before I buy it though. The price seems right so I should be able to afford a few repairs if necessary. Thanks!
98quiksilvergt Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 Check the coolant Over flow bottle. See if it looks like coolant was spilled out of it. Look for white/ yellowish crusty stuff on the fan and timing belt cover, all parts of the car close to that bottle. Check the radiator level. Most of the time when these cars have bad headgaskets the compression pressurizes the coolant system. Whn that happens it pushes the coolant out of the radiator and into the overflow bottle. If that bottle has alot of coolant in it. You may want to look at it more closely. Like letting it run for at least a half hour. Reving the engine once and a while too. Shut it down, let it cool, then check the radiator and bottle levels again.
kaz98gt Posted July 20, 2010 Posted July 20, 2010 You need to test it before you buy it. That's just a rule of thumb before buying anything over $100 at least for me...if you don't mind me asking, what's the price he's giving you? Driving it helps alot though just so you can gauge everything, you know?
mikwilli Posted July 21, 2010 Author Posted July 21, 2010 Thanks for all the advice. I decided to buy it. The deal seemed too good to pass up. He was asking $2100. I was able to get it for $1800. As I said it's a 97 Outback with 136k. Timing belt has been replaced. New tires, new shocks and struts, new plugs and wires, new windshield. It seems to drive really well. It smokes a little bit after driving a while because something, I think power steering fluid, is dripping onto the exhaust and burning off. I think that should be a faily simple fix. It needs a new trim panel on the rear hatch so I'm hoping to pick one up from someone who is parting theirs out. I'm taking it to the mechanic this weekend for a good once over. If everything checks out OK I think I got a great deal. What do you think?
98quiksilvergt Posted July 21, 2010 Posted July 21, 2010 Sound like you made out good. Post some pics!!
98LGTLover Posted July 21, 2010 Posted July 21, 2010 If the mechanic checks everything and it is ok then I would get it! That deal is really good.
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