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New Outback H6 Owner


Pinchcliff
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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. 

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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

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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.

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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

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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.  

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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.

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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

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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.   

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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.. 

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Yeah, stainless cat back cost me 425 and it produces a lovely subtle sound

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apologies for the slight topic derail, but have you got any pics of the replacement exhaust, David?

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