JLink's 2011 Subaru Outback Build

Always amazes me when I stumble across a missed 2.5 year old thread

 

Nice! I'm hoping to not get into suspension anytime soon. I'd like to avoid creating another money pit like the Tacoma lol.

Yea well it's not like there's really anything going on in here lol

 

Nice. I was so close to getting an outback instead of this tacoma recently. You really can do a lot with them.

 

Outback is at the dealership for the 2nd time this month.

It's been having cooling system problems. Pressure builds up in the radiator and forces coolant into the overflow tank, eventually the overflow tank overflows, and eventually the high temp light comes on the dash.
I replaced the thermostat and radiator cap, pressure tested the radiator, and purges the system of air bubbles.
Still happened so we brought it in for warranty and the replaced the radiator and the thermostat. I told them that won't fix it, they said yes it will.

3 days later it overheated so now it's back at the dealership. I'm starting to have flashbacks to the lemonlaw case with my Tacoma...

 

Damn man, this sucks.... hope they get it right this time

 

So they pressure tested the cylinders and I guess had a leak, either way they're replacing the head gaskets now, hopefully that takes care of it.

 

Did you drop the "I told you so" ?

 

Haha nah

 

Too nice

 

Back up camera has been shitty, need to diagnose the issue.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-2014/41729-backup-camera-not-working-4.html


Also need to check out the sunroof tsb


Tail light bulb is out


Need to look into whatever maintenance I haven’t done..
-diffs
-trans


Rotated the tires the other day, hopefully that takes care of the vibration I’ve been noticing.

 

https://www.subaruoutback.org/forum...-2011-2-5i-cvt-differential-fluid-change.html

 

Changed the front and rear diff fluid

Changed the cvt fluid (not full flush, cold drain and refill- about 5 qts). I want to wait a little while and do it again, but on a level surface and with a temp gun to check the level at operating temperature.

Investigated the back up camera- been working on and off.. camera has a bunch of corrosion in it so I ordered a replacement. It was the 86267AJ10A which has been discontinued, looks like they replaced it with 86267AJ10B, hopefully to address this issue.

Also changed the outer tail light bulbs to Sylvania LED 168R. Just ordered another set for the tail lights in the hatch. I should look and see if there is a 3rd brake light too. Ordered Sylvania Zevo 921 LED reverse lights. Already have Sylvania Zevo brake light bulbs. I’m opting not to do LED turn signal bulbs because I’d need a resistor to fix hyper flash and just don’t know anything about that right now.

 

The Subaru has basically been sitting all year. Last January we were on a snowboard trip when the heat got cold. Pulled over and found coolant had spewed from the overflow bottle.

took it to a reputable mechanic today. They want $3500 to do the head gaskets and mill the heads flat, Or $4000 for head gaskets and water pump and timing belt, or $4800 for that stuff and new OEM pads and rotors.

I absolutely hate the idea of spending this kind of money, but head gaskets seem like they’re beyond my capacity and I don’t have the time or garage space.

It’s also a lot cheaper than a new car I guess...

 

Decided to go ahead and get the heads milled, new head gaskets, water pump, timing belt, tires. Need to order pads and rotors.

225/60/17 falken wildpeak at trail

 

Well that didn’t fix it, so we ended up swapping out the motor

$8k later, it has a new used motor, new tires, new pads and rotors.

 

Falken wildpeak trail at 225/60/17