Out with the old.. in with the new...

When are u supposed to have a timing belt change in this car? If it was done at 60K - did they change the tensioner I wonder. Can you get the code read at an Autozone or other facility?(should be stored, even with the light off)

Carl

Hi Carl:

Recently I had the head gaskets done (people may be sick of me talking about it!), and since they had the engine apart anyway, I had them install a new timing belt at the same time. Are you thinking the timing belt might be related to the CEL or the noise, or both?

Thanks! Fred

Just wondering if the tenisioner could be 'weak' such that the belt is flopping around, rubbing on the inside of the covers and maybe creating a 'disagreement' between the crank and cam angle sensors. Probably not the ONLY scenario that would create occasional CEL AND a noise. Plus, the 2 may be unrelated. Just the first thing that came to mind. having the actual code may be very helpful.

dunno

Carl

I appreciate the suggestion! I will be watching closely for a recurranceof the CEL.. We don't have AutoZone where I live, and the dealership is over an hour away, so I can't easily get the code(s). If it happens again, I will, of course, be taking it back to the dealership.

I wonder if the car is just missing its friends at its second home in the dealer's garage... ;)

Dear Carl, et al...

Problem recurred, and CEL remained on. I thought, from the sound this morning that I'd lost the engine! Rattling, dieseling horrible sound...

Got it into the dealership. Code P0303 Cylinder # 3. Apparently there was some corrosion on the fuel injector(?) The service manager started by telling me that there was a problem with a fuel injector and that they cost $600.00. I practiced my new "calm breathing at Subaru dealership" ritual. After dropping that bombshell, and *only* after *that* did he say that they just had to clean it up and it solved the problem. $107.00. (Exxxhhhaaaaallleeee...)

He suggested a new battery, but I figured it wasn't essential right now, and I didn't think I needed a Subaru brand battery. Which brings up a new question... which I will put into a new thread...

Legacy 2002, 150,000 kilometers (96,933 miles) Repair/maintenance costs 2007 ($4700.00) Repair/maintenance costs 2008 ($142.35 and counting....)

Ouch! I think fuel injectors for my ancient Bronco cost about $100 each and half of them are very easy to replace yourself. The other half require a bit more work to get at. If someone quoted me $600 for a fuel injector (even including labor) I don't think they'd ever see me again.

I wonder if someone who knows might comment on the cost of a fuel injector replacement? Obviously, I seem to have avoided it now.. but I'd like to know just in case! (With my luck!)

Time for a new car dude!!!! That $4700 would be a nice down payment on a new car!!!

Well, maybe... but then I'd have payments!

Yeah, $600 is what - 2 months payments? And it isn't even broken!

It's only a new car when its at the dealership, its used when you drive off in it.

carl

But you'd have warranty and a car that wont nickeland dime you and inconvenience you by needing repair all the time. I like no payments too but if a car always needs fixin I'd rather makepayments

Hi:

Well, there are differing points of view: I think buying a car and keeping it going as long as possible (i.e. driving it into the ground) is cheaper in the long run - assuming, of course that you get a reasonably reliable car (why I bought a Subaru ), and maintain it properly. I *do* expect to have to pay maintenance and upkeep costs to keep it on the road after the warranty is over. I *expect* that these costs would be well below the costs of a new car payment. (Assuming that a loan is required...). Sadly, in my case my maintenance costs have been very high over the last year or so. My car *should* be good for several years of fairly reliable service, imho, and I am hoping that things improve for me and justify my purchase of a Subaru...

The other option is buying a new car, but I can't imagine that that would make sense financially - given the depreciation.

Leasing might make sense, on the other hand, but mileage limitations make that not a good option for me.

Just fyi... chatted with a mechanic this morning who confirmed that a fuel injector replacement was, "ballpark", $600.00...