Hi, all, A brief google of the 'net and newsgroups didn't get me what I wanted, so I'm hoping that you all might be able to help me. My wife's '96 Outback with the 2.5L DOHC engine is making a fair amount of noise when idling at operating temperature. It is pretty clearly one of the lifters: 1. A couple of mechanics listened to it, too, and verified that they thought a lifter was the problem, too. 2. Out of desperation, I drained some oil from the pan, and in its place put some Marvel Mystery Oil. I then went somewhere where I could manually downshift and get the engine RPM's up to somewhat under redline. After that, the noise went away for awhile.
But now it's back. One of the mechanics I spoke to suggested that lifters were a known problem for this year Subarus, and that it would be a mere $1000 to replace them all.
Now, on to the questions for you experts:
- I've done a fair amount of engine repair in my day, but I'm still intimidated at the prospect of checking the plugs on that engine! Trying to squeeze my hands into the right position to do that was murder. In order to work on the lifters, I assume I'd basically have to pull the engine. Right?
- Consumer Reports indicates that the engine for '96s was considerably less reliable than either the '95 or '97 engines were. Is that *because* of the lifters, or is there something else waiting in the engine to fail?
- Has anyone else successfully dealt with these hydraulic lifters in a long-term situation?
Thank you!
George Reiswig