Hey guys!
I really need some advice for what to do with my Outback. I've had this car for 2.5 years and it seems to be a lemon when it comes to emissions issues.
Right after I bought the car the CEL came on and that's when all the trouble started. It turns out it "just needed" a catalytic converter, or so I thought. I guess these cars have two as well as a pair of O2 sensors. Well after replacing the whole lot, the light went away long enough to get an inspection sticker, but came back a month later. The guy warrantied out the cats but I'm guessing he might have just used an aftermarket part since I hear they fail quickly if you don't use OEM.
Later the car started misfiring, it was the head gaskets that were gone, so I had those changed by a second mechanic who knows Subarus much better and immediately knew what the problem was. Also had an overall engine tuneup.
I think what had happened was that the head gaskets were really the problem, so the first set of replacement cats failed because the head gaskets hadn't been done, ruining them.
Well as you can see, the car quickly turned into a money pit and now my inspection sticker is due at the end of the month and the CEL is on again for the catalytic converter. (Cat inefficiency it says I think).
Looking back I shouldn't have put so much money into the car in the first place, but it seemed like a runner when I bought it and otherwise is a great car. Love it in the snow!
Can you think of anything to help pass the inspection? I definitely can't spend another $700 or whatever on a catalytic converter not knowing if it will even solve the problem. But at this point the car isn't worth a whole lot as a trade in and I'm not really at point to be able to buy another car right now anyway.
I would love to keep this car as it runs great minus the stupid CEL light! haha
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!
I really need some advice for what to do with my Outback. I've had this car for 2.5 years and it seems to be a lemon when it comes to emissions issues.
Right after I bought the car the CEL came on and that's when all the trouble started. It turns out it "just needed" a catalytic converter, or so I thought. I guess these cars have two as well as a pair of O2 sensors. Well after replacing the whole lot, the light went away long enough to get an inspection sticker, but came back a month later. The guy warrantied out the cats but I'm guessing he might have just used an aftermarket part since I hear they fail quickly if you don't use OEM.
Later the car started misfiring, it was the head gaskets that were gone, so I had those changed by a second mechanic who knows Subarus much better and immediately knew what the problem was. Also had an overall engine tuneup.
I think what had happened was that the head gaskets were really the problem, so the first set of replacement cats failed because the head gaskets hadn't been done, ruining them.
Well as you can see, the car quickly turned into a money pit and now my inspection sticker is due at the end of the month and the CEL is on again for the catalytic converter. (Cat inefficiency it says I think).
Looking back I shouldn't have put so much money into the car in the first place, but it seemed like a runner when I bought it and otherwise is a great car. Love it in the snow!
Can you think of anything to help pass the inspection? I definitely can't spend another $700 or whatever on a catalytic converter not knowing if it will even solve the problem. But at this point the car isn't worth a whole lot as a trade in and I'm not really at point to be able to buy another car right now anyway.
I would love to keep this car as it runs great minus the stupid CEL light! haha
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!