Congratulations on the car

For the CEL, it would be best if you could borrow someone Code Reader, or pick one up. On an older car that you're getting up and running, I'm sure the CEL might come on another time. Only time I had a CEL come on my parents outback was due to a gas cap, but that was on a newer Outback(I don't think they had a sensor for that back then).

As far as I know, starting in 97, all the 2.5L engines were hydraulic, and the rest were cables, so depending on your model, it might be a cable clutch.

Hopefully some other members can chime in as well.

Hi Dave,

The CEL on your car is best confirmed with a code reader of course, but given the age of the car, I'll be it's either an O2 sensor (rear most likely) or the MAF sensor. Again, check the code reader, and also pay attention to anything the car does that seems out of the ordinary, strange idle issues, fuel cuts, etc.

Clutch on that car SHOULD be hydraulic, but my 1997 was fit with a cable (base model impreza). Under the hood, on the drivers side of the top of the transmission, next to the dogbone to the firewall, you should see the actuator. If it's Hydraulic, there will be a slave cylinder that bolts to the bell housing, and if it's a cable, well, there will be a cable. Both can theoretically be adjusted, though for some reason, I have always struggled with getting it set right.

Manuals can be found in a digital format (PDF) if you're inclined in that direction. You can just print off what you need, as you need it. I sourced a full Subaru manual for my car about five years ago, but that source has since vanished. Sadly, though it's a 1997, it's for the Impreza I think. I'll check, but really, both cars are the same, so if it's of use, I can burn it for you. Let me know.

Also, do you know the service history of the car? The DOHC 2.5L engines are known to blow headgaskets. Not the end of the world, but if/when you have to get it repaired, there are better gaskets than what are available from Subaru.

Dave, on my dad's '97 Outback, and our '98 Outback, the CEL comes on if the gas cap is even slightly loose (or the system thinks it is), and if the gas tank gets too low.  

Basically, the emissions system checks the pressure inside the tank.  If it's venting to atmosphere (or thinks it is), the CEL comes on.  


Atleast it's one more possible solution.

Dave. I have some gravel tires for you.

Dave. The wheels I have are commonly known as "the whores" - they have been owned by so many people. I got'em for free from Erik O.. I'll pass them on to for the same price. I think Erik got them John V. who loaned them to Ryan H. for a while. I don't recall who John got them from. They are Yokohama hard compound gravel tires on Legacy rims, just like the ones in your photo above. One of them loses about two pounds of air an hour so you have to make a few runs to the air pump during a rallyX (or get them cleaned and re-mounted). While they are far cry from new gravel tires they are a lot better than winters mainly because they aren't as likely to peel off the rims.

As for mounting the light bar you'll have to find a good spot. My Impreza was totally different from my Forester in the front-end architecture so I won't even guess at a Legacy. For the Impreza I mounted L-brackets to the top beam where the rad bolts on and then two more L-brackets to the top of the bumper. The lower brackets weren't even attached. They just prevented them from shaking too much. On my Forester the light are attached to L-brackets mounted to the bumper (carridge bolts behind the license plate) which then hook onto the front grill for stablity.

I will RallyX again when I either get a cheap beater or an nice new car (and RX the Forester again). Right now I can't afford to rallyX my daily driver.


Dave - I've heard the problem with Outbacks is they have very soft suspensions. If you're upgrading anything I'd look at a suspension that will eliminate some of the body roll. That was the first and best mod I did to my TS Impreza.

nhibbert wrote on 07/13/10 at 21:01:51:


Good to know. I guess I should be on the lookout for some firmer springs.

Another question - anyone know where to find the "build date" for an Outback? I checked all the plates I can find. The rear hatch release is buggered up, so I was not able to look there. The car was originally delivered in Feb. 97, so I know it was built before then.