Intermittent check engine light came on with misfires on various cylinders and an occasional shake/stutter when I was waiting at lights. After taking it to a few mechanics one Subaru specialist diagnosed it with worn valves needing about 6-7 thousand Canadian dollars of repair. Luckily, to save a few dollars, I was able to park it in my garage and had a friend help re-build the engine. Once we got to the valves it was pretty clear how pitted/washed/worn they were and could see how poorly they were sealing during the compression stroke on the engine. Definitely would think twice about giving (specifically) the 2.5XT model a "seal of awesomeness".... think twice about buying a 2.5XT used, especially from an owner that looks like they often drove the car in sport mode. This was a lot of wear at relatively low mileage on a completely stock (not modified) engine.
Great car (wrong).....Codes showing for misfires on cylinder #3. Checked spark plugs. All cylinders are leaking oil into the spark plug tube seals. Apparently this is kind of normal with Subarus. Oh and yeah, have a nice time if you live in the snow belt trying to take the rocker cover bolts off, as the steel shouldered bolts like to rust into the aluminum rocker covers and makes for a gay old time trying to remove them, will put a smile on your face (not)....
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Intermittent check engine light came on with misfires on various cylinders and an occasional shake/stutter when I was waiting at lights. After taking it to a few mechanics one Subaru specialist diagnosed it with worn valves needing about 6-7 thousand Canadian dollars of repair. Luckily, to save a few dollars, I was able to park it in my garage and had a friend help re-build the engine. Once we got to the valves it was pretty clear how pitted/washed/worn they were and could see how poorly they were sealing during the compression stroke on the engine. Definitely would think twice about giving (specifically) the 2.5XT model a "seal of awesomeness".... think twice about buying a 2.5XT used, especially from an owner that looks like they often drove the car in sport mode. This was a lot of wear at relatively low mileage on a completely stock (not modified) engine.
- Richard S., Bray, OK, US