Mr B

Some after market cross it to both diesel and petrol and some don't, we had vegaz mufflers before for a petrol . Y section not as nicely done as the oem effort on any off the shelf aftermarket I seen I would be inclined repair original if it only the short pipe lengths from rear muffler inlets to the y section . If you rear muffler boxes pretty rot free tidy and functional and oem parts it real shame to bin that quality level just for the short joiner pipe lengths .

Yes most bigger outlets won't be interested in your parts or fabricating . If the current back boxes good besides pipe you may be able just redo short joint lengths of pipe and have solid and tidy end result butter than previous joint patch effort . Smaller friendly shop that handy with a mig be way go, is pretty pleasing work for hour or 2 and some straight and bent pipe lengths not expensive . It really easy do but not easy find many willing, to many shops just want easy bolt on and the profit from marking up sourced parts If you get new boxes you can buy flange plates to match as bare plates or pre welded to short length of pipe, I used them a lot on older models for cat outlet joint repairs, the older model single rear exhaust and centre pipe so cheap for fairly decent parts it never worth repairs unless something basic like a hanger bracket . Yours is more pricey for decent enough quality and Y section would up the cost further ... why they can't make them from more stainless like toyota did for a while . oem exhaust part pricing is ridiculous money ... Do still see lot of 20year old outbacks and foresters with original exhausts with minor fix, newer is engineered cheaper unfortunately ...

it flange joints but yours been patched up by chopping joints out . you could buy standard boxes and pre cut flanges and get a shop make up the existing y section to standard flanges or go custom stainless to good point at y pipe or down to the middle pipe flange for a neater job . If planning on keeping it long time then stainless good but decent alu/steel tends last 5 to 10 years . scotland pretty tough on underside of cars though . Sometimes exhaust shops like powerflow so cheap it daft go steel, all down what services you got local enough ...

Yes H6 headgasket not a common issue . It needs looking at by decent specialist and that not a dealer generally lol . I generally sniff test the cooling system, chemical test can be useful too . Really needs a thorough diagnosis, check actual power/grounds on temop sensor and sensor out values are true, thermostat fans and general coolant system condition/flow and pump needs be reviewed . Removing plugs and visual examination and a endoscope can find useful results as can a good operator of a leak down tester, checking the bottom joint of head gasket can be useful too . Is an engine out job do the heads, while engine quick to remove is lot of hours in a good job and quality parts and machine shop don't come cheap. My quick pricing on head gaskets without reviewing it be 2.5K but could go to 3K . My first thoughts would be it lower chance of heads so couple hours or leaving it with mechanic for few days for good diagnosis/ use testing is where you need start . A garage that doesn't even own a pressure tester is not a good place start nor is a dealer who says 4K for head gaskets without advising you on thorough diagnosis, you need experience with test gear be any real good with it and for you get value from the repair you going ideally want a garage who done a few subaru engine builds as you don't want them learning at your cost . Make effort find good independent garage and only commit to gaskets if reasonable evidence found from proper testing not guessing . Good luck ...

In the case of tpms it tends work as a safety negative on older vehicles (and only few years old at that) as most driving round with faults and they don't want pay the extra costs dealing with tpms, this means even simple tyre change tends get put off and when do they cut tyre quality to offset cost of tpms issues being put right during tyre install . quite simply yours eyes and a £5 tyre gauge far better option, visual checking of tyres is far more important than pressure and tpms just makes people more lazy and less involved & educated and less wealthy lol . On general private use vehicles it a complete waste of resources and typical example of throwing technology at something and actually making safety and environment impact worse but advertisement and safety claims better on paper only ...

you could buy the autel tpms interface or go to a independent that can clone the tpms sensors so your winter set has same sensor ID's . To be quite honest tpms is another example of throwing electronics at it just for sake rather than real long term benefit and really is a waste of time money and materials used in general public vehicles . USA nanny state rules what got this into normal production cars worldwide ...

simple and cheap to resolve or fix. you can buy a bypass plug that goes on the harness to sigma main module (behind glovebox) which basically bypasses immobiliser circuits or even learn how do this manually (loads of info on sigma m30 alarms on the net) and gets you running Now the best way fix this is buy a used sigma module and keypad supplied with at least 1 working fob or 4 pin code and swap the parts to your forester which childs play and then reprogram your fobs using instructions in the M30 doc in many threads on this site . Generally you can get a used m30 alarm with fob/code for £100 from breakers/eBay and it pretty easy work swap it over and reprogram or swap the working alarm fob board to your key if they the same fob style. I done this a few times for customers as cheapest fastest solution and keeps alarm spec standard and easy .use . Need any more help PM me as m30 is that common an alarm any auto electrician or auto locksmith that can't deal with them isn't worth paying ...

Yours is a SF forester so you want struts and springs as listed below > SF Right Absorber KYB 334191 Left Absorber KYB 334192 Protecton boots/bumps KYB 910072 Coilover Springs KYB RA5761 The SG struts 334345 334344 do fit but have slight difference in brake pipe bracket and lower spring seat is slightly higher so if use with RA5761 springs rear height is about 20mm over standard . You could buy the SG strut top mounts then use SG springs SG Right Absorber KYB 334344 Left Absorber KYB 334345 Coilover Springs KYB RC6431 (heavy duty RA6028) Springcoil could likely supply springs for your SG struts and SF strut mounts but if they haven't done it before it might be bit of guess on working out the coil length for perfect final ride height . You could also try SUPLEX SUP32034 springs with the SG struts and SF strut mounts as they little more low than KYB springs from my experience .

that will be the air valves, if in good mechanical order removal and very thorough cleaning can work but again if paying for the labour new parts tend work out better long term value repair . window is very affordable, secondary air could possibly be got working for couple hours labour but gamble how long lasts, welding shouldn't be that bad if this first rust repair and no previous MOT mention, they all rot pretty much same areas and I never seen one on first repair need much more than 300 or 400 worth of welding and sealing, welding repairs can vary drastically shop to shop but inner arch and turret not that difficult and material cost is very low . If you can't find better priced viable repairs you will be best selling it as those that can do the work themselves would find these common easier jobs a desirable repair car purchase .

the ecu assumes regen is needed by measuring back pressure which gets higher the more soot the dpf is holding, then when it decides regen it adding more fuel to heat the dpf to burn out the soot. DPF systems is an awful engineering concept and does nothing for environment as the system ruined diesel mpg economy and it wastes even more fuel and oil with regens ! With mileage you done DPF highly likely need replacing, you could try special cleaning but you be wiser spending on a top quality aftermarket dpf and at a independent garage as dealers be silly money on this job, you may even find oem dpf at better cost outside a dealership . Before jumping on the DPF you ideally want back pressure monitored to concluded DPF is too restrictive . You are right that if DPF is sorted then regen and oil dilution should be rectified but that assumes all else is working correct and DPF health is falling below functional level and this really needs be concluded to move forward with repair option . serious repetitive oil dilution is pretty serious issue and 1 reason towards the all too common crank failure .

It does not need a authorised subaru garage to flash non turbo ecu . personally I prefer simply replacing the pump as simplest solution with no future legal snags, aftermarket pump and fitting is roughly £240 which would be diag check that it is the fault and it not a control side issue, removal and refit which quick to do, code clearing and bidirectional test and colds start/road test .. I generally can get oem pumps working again but how long they function perfectly before trips CEL criteria is a gamble .

Well you should be fine then . They very easy work on as lot of design effort apparent on making repair route easier . The real key is making effort buy a proper tidy one and not assuming newer will be better .

800 sounds expensive for strut mounting, I done a few rear turret and arch repairs and including a total arch seam seal and stone guard refinishing dearest has been 600 and average 300 to 400 Drivers window an easy fix and common, don't buy a new motor, buy a used passenger side rear as they same front drivers side besides a water drain fitting needs clocking position changed and original harness tail swapped over (plugs in) they about £30 for tidy one and 1: don't get used much and 2: don't get water ingress in motor like on drivers door as motor sits upside down in passenger rear . You can improve motor drainage by removing motor housing and making 2 small weep holes and renew grease in bearing points but that beyond most garages . air pump a pain, is possible sometimes free them but if paying someone you best fitting quality new or getting it mapped out . Could list it spares or repair if you unable find repair route cost viable , right time of year for people look for 4wd and easy fix and worth doing if rest of car proper decent .

Best you see is 30, more likely is 26 to 28 for more short trip running around. They can make up for slightly less fuel efficiency from reliability thus annual repairs can be pretty much zero . General service costs are pretty low unless your garage ripping you off . Main thing here is don't get caught up in newer better as that far from real facts, Very late 90's to 2006 about best they get . You far smarter buying a older super clean car than chasing an well priced 2007 to 2010 . If going 2.5L or even the 3.0 you want earlier than a 55 plate (or first couple months if a 06) to get into favourable road tax class . The outback is a great versatile wagon 2.5L engine not too bad but the 3.0 EZ is subarus best and they last real well plus benefit from timing chain . 2.0L EJ also pretty solid lump but it be a Legacy model to get that . Out of the 2.5 or 3.0 the 3.0 wiser option as hardly any mpg difference and the strength/performance of the 3.0 makes it the best choice in most cases . I see 2.0 at 180K to 220K quite a lot and 3.0 same and more, they do 300K easy if serviced well (oil and filter regular the big key), 2.5 generally has head gasket issues which little bit spendy repair . The main criteria is buying wisely, look at a lot to learn the cars and inspecting them well and learn good from bad . Don't expect dealers be best options for clean cars, private sales generally always best and more honest . Generally you can find Outbacks super clean and FSH quite easily, don't be afraid pay extra 500 to 1K for old super clean car as it will pay you back many times over. The absolute most important part is educating yourself before purchase and view several models prior to any buying, make use of any local dealers that may have one even if not spec/price you want as the viewing experience will educate you into smarter final decision hopefully . If you completely no mechanical competence take a friend or friend of a friend who is, don't rely on likes of RAC inspections as they tend be a bit slack for what they charging . Basically the cars great, more so older models, just be sure choose wisely, if any niggles or doubts walk away and never take anything a dealer tells you as a fact, I in the trade and most silly stories of biggest junk and lies and silly prices always comes back to a dealer unfortunately .

you could keep the switch in with a cable tie for a temporary measure. Is easy fix or relocate. If garage charge to pricey picking up a used bracket online should not be too hard .

Yes, you can simply test with bonnet open by holding switch down with one hand and arming alarm from fob with other . We relocate those switches sometimes as pretty poor effort by sigma . Easy enough fab a bracket /use another generic alarm switch and lengthen wiring. in a pinch easy enough jump the wires so alarm thinks switch always pushed in . don't rule out doors and boot if bonnet switch doesn't appear at fault .

door boot or bonnet not shut or switch issue / check the bonnet switch as they on a bracket that tends get bent with people leaning in engine bay ... Use the manual link in this thread get basic understanding of your alarm .

Give the part number to a local subaru dealer parts counter . If you search for japan parts suppliers you find many companies in Japan that will ship oem parts and being small it might be affordable option . You may also find something suitable from eBay . https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=86636FG140&_sacat=0

Have you tried ICP (import car parts.co.uk) We had washer covers from them before .

What new alternator fitted ?, reman of many brands can not be up to spec and system sense control will have issues . You either want an oem original alternator or blueprint, we tend stick to original oem as much as possible as issues with reman and aftermaket is highly common and we don't have time keep swapping duds or want reputation issue due to current parts trend for junky poor spec and quality . you can do some tests at ecu to see sense control working and blue wire alternator grounding switches correctly (grounds this wire to reduce alternator output) .

Does the control side of compressor clutch stay powering the clutch (test it with a meter and check amp draw when runs if can), low pressure or other safety parameter maybe turning it off, has a diagnostic check been done on the system .

crankshaft failures, dpf issues, injector learning issues, I repair subarus and I can't recommend them . 3.5K for 128K car which known lemon in the industry is a bit high in price and risk . failed crank leaves you with a car worth less than 500 quid and as much as your purchase price to replace the engine . post 2011 got better but the crank issue wasn't fully resolved even at end of the diesel production . If you want a good diesel buy a pre DPF .

It still wise drain gear oils at sensible intervals mainly as good way visually see gearbox/transferbox/diff in good order and keep meshing swarf to a minimum. some gearboxes have oil pumps and filters, all have lubrication feed wells of which stay working better in later life when been kept extra clean .

Good job well worth the trip and well worth 300quid . their prices seem very good, although as specialise in this work they fast and materials cheaper in bulk and good knowledge of supply chain . would of been a miserable result if had ended up with of the shelf NA mild steel system . have fun with your XT and thank the wife for putting up with you and your phone 🙂 ...

Give us a couple shots of finished system . I quite like looking at old mens polished pipes and a proper job . interested in the price too if you happy disclose that ...