Subaru Outback Forums banner

DENVER area mechanics

6K views 24 replies 6 participants last post by  nellafleck 
#1 ·
My family and I are about to move to the Denver area.
Our 2005 Outback is in need of some serious TLC (various leaks, sensors going out left and right). No mechanics in the Chicagoland area have ever been able to properly service our Subaru with confidence.

anyway, we are just going to wait to get her worked on until we get to our new house in Colorado.

Does anybody have any recommendations on SUBARU specialists in the Denver (Littleton/Highlands Ranch) area?
Not interested in going to a dealer....

thanks in advance!
 
#6 ·
Use Traildog if he's willing, you won't be able to do better!
Thanks for the big-ups. I am definitely willing to help anyone if I have the time. I just like wrenching.

Shawn at RetroRoo
He is owner/moderator of The Ultimate Subaru Message Board, very well versed in Subarus.
I would like to back this up one more time, RetroRoo is definitely on of the best shops here. When it comes right down to it location should not drive the decsion. If it matters...SuperRupair in Boulder and SummitAuto both offer "free" Subaru loaners when doing a significant repair. SuperRupair does great work, but they are very much like a dealer. Their salvaged/used parts division id A+ tho.
 
#20 ·
SuperRupair does great work, but they are very much like a dealer. .
To the OP, I meant exactly what you got out of it. I have been in there repair waiting room, and they always return to the customer with a "laundry list" of scary issues.

I think they do fine work, you just need to be informed. And they typically treat you like you have no vehicle knowledge...or the knowledge you think you have is wrong.

Like a dealer.
 
#7 ·
"SuperRupair does great work, but they are very much like a dealer. Their salvaged/used parts division id A+ tho. "

This, exactly! For example used axles for $65-85. Rebuilt are more.

Labor is similar to dealer, agreed. They will keep your car tip top, and you will pay for it.
 
#11 ·
Just to update, the used price for an axle when you actually go to the used part counter is much less than their online price. The tribeca axle was $75 online, charged $36 when I picked it up.
 
#8 ·
Update: went to Summit.
our Subie needed (still needs) a fair amount of work.

Summit did:
* ball joints (both sides, had to replace control arms and everything due to rusted shut. they tried to get ball joints out on their own, but couldn't).
* front brakes (pads and rotors, subie OEM)
* trans cooling hose
* cogged idler
* water pump
that cost 1800

still need to replace both 02 sensors. we need to wait on that due to money tree not blooming yet ;)

need tires as well - any local junk yards?
 
#9 ·
Summit eh, quiet a place for a little hole huh? Crazy Russian's


SuperRupair has a great salvaged parts yard.


http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...s/76778-favorite-recycled-parts-junkyard.html


Stadium Auto Parts has a foreign division in Westminster


Colorado Auto and Parts


The above are all parts pulled for you. If you want a straight-up "you pull-it"...then go here...no idea what they have for Subi's


Aurora Auto Parts | Car Parts Aurora | U-Pull-&-Pay


Welcome to town...PM me if you need anything I can help you with. Maybe you'll see Frank there. Can't miss me. LOL
 
#12 ·
Why do you think the gas tank is leaking?

Earlier models had leaks at the filler neck, but rare for your year. Easier to fix than the whole tank.

Your year is well known for a hose leaking in the engine compartment making a strong gas smell, usually during very cold weather.
 
#13 ·
not sure why it's leaking.
Had AAA come pick it up (they sent the FD as well....).

It's just behind rear passenger door. A 12" puddle was under the car.
when they picked up the car to the flatbed, gas started POURING out all over the place.

Dropped it off at Summit yesterday morning (friday). they haven't even looked at it yet....

The O2 sensors need replacing as well (they were replaced less than a year ago....getting the parts replaced under warranty).

Getting real tired of having this car not being a reliable source of transportation for my family.
 
#16 ·
Filler neck or seal. likely a seal. Shouldn't be terribly expensive to repair, although if it is the fuel pump cap being cracked the deal will want to sell you a whole pump. See this thread: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...nce/170969-fuel-leaking-top-tank-05-3-0r.html

Repeat failure of the 02 makes me wonder if something else is wrong. What's the code? It it's just a check engine light, but you don't have the code, the light is likely to the leak in the tank.
 
#18 ·
Still no official word on what the problem is.
Spoke with them yesterday morning, and his initial thought is that the gas tank needs to be replaced. he has a used one in stock.....$250 for the tank.
He's saying it will take him 7+ hours to replace. does that sound right?
he keeps citing the fact that the car is an "east coast" car (just moved here from Illinois)....and every bolt is completely rusted.
anyway - also says the filler neck/seal is a gen 2 problem - not a gen 3.

he was supposed to call back yesterday with an official diagnosis....I'll call this morning.
 
#21 ·
update:

Summit replaced gas tank, and both front/rear 02 sensors.
They had a used tank in their inventory, $250 (not including labor). He showed me our old gas tank - and the leak. It was leaking at the gasket seal, just behind the rear passenger door.
02 sensors were replaced under warranty from autozone. I only paid labor for these.

I'm starting to think the gas tank leak has been going on for a while. Thinking back a year, or possibly more, we have been smelling gas by the car. During this time - we've had pretty much every **** sensor in the car replaced (by a great mechanic, with not much Subaru experience though).
I'm thinking the leaking tank was the culprit this whole time....obviously the leak started slow, and got bad enough that we saw gas pooling in the driveway.

Car seems to be running great now!

just need to break in the new sensors so I can get through emissions....so we can finally register the car in Colorado. Summit suggested 500 miles.

1/3/15 update: car passed emissions today!
 
#22 ·
Avoid summit auto

All, avoid Summit Auto in Denver. They s*ck. I gave a bad recommendation. I am sorry, do not go there. The OP of this thread did, because of location convenience, and they have rooked him. Bad / leaking install on a gas tank. Lower control arms and balljoint replacement with used / non-viable parts, and not disclosed as used.

ALL KINDS OF BS...regarding a midwest car and how rust makes the labor 2x harder and 3x longer. In have wrenched Jimi1976's Gen3 several times, PB Blaster, some care when removing...zero issues, infact...quite easy for a midwest car.

They s*ck, they are not a responsible business...DO NOT TAKE YOUR SUBARU THERE. Use my other recommendations, they are solid.
 
#23 ·
So, my trusty 06 outback is finally ready for her 105k mi maintenance.

I've been looking at Subie Auto Repairs, or eating up the extra costs and going to Shortlist Subaru dealer since they seem to be the best in my area. Anyone have experience/recommendations for them?
 
#24 ·
#25 ·
Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately the timing belt (& associated) hasn't been done yet, so I know it's a pretty big job.

While I'd love to get a members help, I literally have no free weekend time between now and September (busy work schedule and a lot of friends getting married), so I figured taking it in somewhere might be the easiest
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top