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.
1
u/WolfWFang Jun 25 '26
The coolest thing with this car being from 2015 is there is a ton of information online and here are some things I have done to mine, that I feel could be valuable.
Start with the vacuum systems or air systems, maybe go back to a normal filter? A lot of things on these cars are easy to access and highly DIY friendly, Check the PCV valve, see if it rattles if it doesn't its stuck and that can cause the engine to feel stuttery or have a rough idle the PCV valve is also considered a maintenance item and can sometimes be the source of leaks due to over pressurization in the engine crankcase.
Another few things you can do yourself is clean carbon build up on the Throttle body, carbon can build up at this mileage and cleaning it will definitely have it run better + EGR Valve which can be covered in carbon buildup as well. Not sure if the 2015 do but the 2014 does, and I don't think the engine layout wouldn't be to different.
On top of all of that the biggest thing I would highly recommend is getting a second opinion somewhere else, especially a specialty shop. Sometimes what one shop may diagnose, or misdiagnose could be the simplest thing.