Dorothy

My independent mechanic is at wits end (last attempt was free) - - all spark plugs have been replaced, coils have been replaced, and the injectors have been all pulled cleaned and tested. Compressions tests are well within the acceptable range as are all vacuum tests and the only “straw to grasp” is the valves may need to be adjusted but he does not have the Subaru tool to do it. The 2009 Legacy GT only has 130,000 miles on it. Earlier, the dealership did not know if a valve job for $3k would solve the problem, but they would take the car as a trade-in and the mechanic wanted to buy it (outside the dealership). I love the car and feel an attachment, but why would I want to trade-in for a Subaru?? I have just gone into the routine of disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes to re-set the engine light for 10 minutes and drive to destination. The dashboard continues to be “sticky”, an other non-Subaru problem so many other’s have listed. My husband’s 05 and then 14 Honda’s (the 05 had 310K miles with less that $500 in total repairs including a cruise control switch) have never treated him so badly. Now when I see a Subaru ad on the TV all that comes to mind the McDonald’s ad of “I’m loving it” - - the screwing!!

I have tried everything the shop and I can think of - new OEM coils, injectors taken out cleaned and tested, but we continue to get service engine light. Compression is good. Does anyone have a suggestion for a 2009 Legacy GT. A nice performing auto when working, but this engine problem and the dash that is "sticky" has made this less than a desirable car. Any suggestions?? Thanks, Dorothy

I have a Turbo Legacy 2009 with about 140,000 miles. The engine service light has come on. Per the dealer's service there is a mis-fire in one cylinder and needs a valve job for $4,000, but that might not cure the problem (they indicated they would be happy to take it in trade). We are now working with an independent shop about 500 miles away (in Abilene, TX). Cylinder pressure is good and the car runs well - good acceleration and the engine only "misses" rarely - 500 to 1000 miles which "trips" the service engine light. When the service light is tripped the cruise control and the "S" settings flash and do not function. I cannot switch back to the "I" or "S#" modes. Both coils have been replaced and injector cleaner has been run through the engine. I have been told the sensor on the 4th cylinder is the one indicating the fault/mis-fire. The shop feels that it appears to be a fuel problem - but the injector cleaner has not helped. What are the possible sources of the problem and what can we do - at least what can we try? Thanks.