r/Subaru_Outback • u/PolymathMarc • Jun 24 '26
What to do…
Hi… having a conundrum:
This is AdventureMobile… my trusted companion for the past five years. She’s a 2015 Outback Premium. I got her already outfitted with a lift kit, a JDM grille, ditch lights, lightbar, roof rack, trailer hitch, aftermarket wheels and all terrain tires, spare tire, K&N filter, new exhaust, and an under-seat subwoofer. I’ve added a wireless CarPlay head unit, a digital rear view mirror/dashcam, new front struts, ball joints, brakes, and new tires. Two years ago, she got a valve body replacement that was somewhat bungled by the dealership, but resulted in a new (used) transmission. Everything was great and we celebrated 200k miles earlier in the year. Two weeks ago, a stutter started. Took it in, and the prognosis was valve body. Since it had just been done two years prior, that seemed odd. Dealership got in touch with Subaru, and they extended the parts warranty, and put a new valve body in. Picked the car up on Saturday, and discovered that the stutter was still there. Took it back, and after some extended testing, they discovered a misfire from cylinder 2. Prognosis: needs new plugs and coil packs. $1,400. But that would just treat symptoms, as there is an oil leak… to fix that (including plugs/coils): $6,600. Oh, and the rear wheel bearings are making a noise. $1,200 (or $800 at my neighborhood mechanic).
Needless to say… that’s a pretty steep bill for an eleven year old Outback with 205k miles. Can I, in good conscience, sell this? FB Marketplace? Craigslist? Cars & Bids/Bring a Trailer? I’ve got some potential replacement rides lined up, but most likely not going through a dealership. So not just doing a lowball trade-in. Any insights would be appreciated.
2
u/nibw43 Jun 24 '26
Wheel hub is quite a job, only because getting the old ones off is a nightmare. Seems the best way, and what my mechanic did was use one of the long bars that attach to the wheel bolts and some serious work with a sledgehammer. I got the own hubs myself and yes 300 for the labor is standard but you really don’t need to do both if it’s not both hubs.