Pinchcliff Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Hi, I'm picking up my 2002 H6 Outback tomorrow from Scotland, it looks fine, has a decent service history, 148K, are there any particular areas that I should be considering for attention? Been researching these for a while and seem to remember seeing somewhere that the can chain tensioners need replacing at around 150K. Is this a big / expensive job? Also heard some slightly frightening tales about exhaust replacement costs. Any help, tips and advice wold be very gratefully received. Most reviews seem to suggest these are great cars (MPG aside) so looking forward to driving back tomorrow. Jeff.
tom_gr7 Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Hi welcome to the club mate, Pictures are always welcome ofc :)
mart360 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Exhaust is the biggy in terms of replacement I'd sit down if you want an OEM cat back set up - £1000+ for 3 boxes and some piping its £400+ just for the centrebox & Y pipe A replacement SS catback system will set you back around about £600 - £700 Although i have a feeling that some of the 2.5 stuff advertised on the bay, may fit with some judicious fettling ;) Fuel economy is average - 19 mpg round town rising to 26/27mpg on a long run ..look at anywhere between 240 to 260 miles from a tank on an average daily driver point of view. Best i had was 330 from a tank, and i recon i could have got closer to 400, but then did a load of round town driving, which scuppered that Mart 2
majik_thighs Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Hi mate, welcome home [emoji106] Have a word with david1972 that's his member name on here. He had a cat-back system fitted a few months ago. I tonk for around the 400-450 mark. Sent from my Galaxy S6 edge using Tapatalk
david1972 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Yeah, stainless cat back cost me 425 and it produces a lovely subtle sound Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk 1
majik_thighs Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Where was it done David? Sent from my Galaxy S6 edge using Tapatalk
david1972 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 At the Longlife franchise in Ashington, Northumberland :)
majik_thighs Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 I'll see if there's one over here. Mine will be needing it soon I think. Sent from my Galaxy S6 edge using Tapatalk
david1972 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Just make sure you quote my price if they quote you more....a different franchise were quoting me a 650 ball park figure. Needless to say I didn't go to discuss it with them Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk
Jay762 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Wotcha and welcome - as said feel free to get stuck in and share some photos ;)
Pinchcliff Posted May 28, 2015 Author Posted May 28, 2015 Thanks for all the top tips chaps, however it would appear I may have bought a pup! When I inspected the car it had an obvious tappet noise from the front left (as you look at the engine), the seller convinced me it was a stuck hydraulic tappet, subsequent research has identified that the H6 engine is shim over bucket so no hydraulic tappets, I've spoken to a local mechanic who suggests it's an engine out job, which I assume will be very pricey. I bought the car at a cheap price, it would appear that it may be a false economy. Having said that it drives superb and performs very well, once again any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated, equally any advice on a good local (to Newcastle) Subaru independent mechanic. It's such a shame as I love the car.
david1972 Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 If you bought cheap, is it worth moving it on cheap and putting it down to experience? For specialists, I only use the Durham franchised dealer, but have heard of a specialist in Pelton near Chester le street. Can't remember the name though, sorry. Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk
mart360 Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 Thanks for all the top tips chaps, however it would appear I may have bought a pup! When I inspected the car it had an obvious tappet noise from the front left (as you look at the engine), the seller convinced me it was a stuck hydraulic tappet, subsequent research has identified that the H6 engine is shim over bucket so no hydraulic tappets, I've spoken to a local mechanic who suggests it's an engine out job, which I assume will be very pricey. I bought the car at a cheap price, it would appear that it may be a false economy. Having said that it drives superb and performs very well, once again any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated, equally any advice on a good local (to Newcastle) Subaru independent mechanic. It's such a shame as I love the car. Dont be hasty, looking at MY- 2003 manual, it shows the clearances done in situ & reshimming from what i can see, you go in from underneath Looking at the 2003 SVX, which is the closest i can get to the H6, valve clearances check and adjust is 1.10 hours Mart
Pinchcliff Posted May 29, 2015 Author Posted May 29, 2015 Once again thanks for the thoughts and opinion, my view is it's more than a slightly oversize valve clearance, generally speaking valve clearances wear tight (my experience is with motorbike engines so I may be wrong), the noise suggests a very wide clearance so either the valve isn't returning properly, the shim has somehow become displaced (had this once on a bike engine) or the camshaft lobes or cap bearing. are worn, I can't really think of an alternative. I've found a garage in Newcastle that's meant to be good with Subaru's, arranged to meet with the boss on Monday morning to get an insight as to what may be wrong and some options for repair. I guess it'll be all down to cost as to whether I get rid cheap or invest in further engine work. I'll post again on Monday and once again thanks for your helpful advice. Jeff.
Pinchcliff Posted May 29, 2015 Author Posted May 29, 2015 Going Autolink in Sandyford (Newcastle), they seem to know their stuff so fingers crossed. I've found an article online which seems to replicate my problem, the outcome of it was a complete strip down which concluded nothing was wrong with the engine and the original noise was put down to some kind of blockage. Not very conclusive. Equally I've discovered the engine does not have to be removed to check the valve gear so I assume the garage will suggest an exploratory peek under the head cover.
mart360 Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 Looking at the shim table, the range is from 2.0mm to 2,87 in 0.1mm increments you need to get the clearances checked first before you assume the worst.. Mart
Pinchcliff Posted May 29, 2015 Author Posted May 29, 2015 Thanks Mart, fully agree, which is why I assume the garage will take the head covers off and check the clearances, having said that, smallest to largest gives a difference of .87mm, which I don't think would cause the noise I hear. I guess I'm an eternal pessimist but my expectations aren't high.
Pinchcliff Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 Not wishing to pre-empt the outcome of the inspection on Monday does anyone have a view on how much an Outback would be worth with a top end noise, the car is in good nick, has 12 months mot and all the toys work, I would want to sell being up front and honest about the problem, does the car have any value at all? I realise it's a difficult question to answer but once again thought and opinions would be gratefully received. Jeff. P.S. I'm an eternal pessimist so I assume the worst and hope for the best.
mart360 Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Stop being a pessimist & wait for the results of the check on monday. How much did you pay for the car? Mart
Chrissian Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 hi, the h6 engine is chain driven and subaru says it needs replacement at 150k miles the noise your hearing could be this , i think i've seen else where on here it costs around £500 just for parts
Pinchcliff Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 In the style of a pessimist I expect the garage to suggest further investigative work, I would not expect anything less as I don't think it's possible to accurately diagnose the problem from listening (happy to be proved wrong). I paid £800 for the car, which I realise is cheap for an 02' Outback..
majik_thighs Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Just get a diagnosis and take from there. [emoji106] Sent from my Galaxy S6 edge using Tapatalk
sawman Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Yeah, stainless cat back cost me 425 and it produces a lovely subtle sound Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk apologies for the slight topic derail, but have you got any pics of the replacement exhaust, David?
david1972 Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Here you go mate They any good for you? Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk
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