Hello all!

[yosoycharly]

I joined the forum to find someone who could give me a second opinion. My 2000 Subaru Outback (136000 miles) recently developed a tapping noise - mechanic says it's piston slap and has recommended I replace the motor with a used one- for $1700. I've been researching this noise and think it might actually be a bad timing belt tensioner. So - two questions - how bad is piston slap? Can anyone redomm me a good place for a second opinion?

 

[tylertrend]

I'm curious how much your mechanic knows about subarus. We all have some amount of piston slap. If it really is bad, which it probably isn't, just run it until it dies and THEN replace the motor. $1700 seems a touch steep. Are you mechanically enclined? A used junkyard engine can usually be had for several hundred dollars. Do check the tensioner though, or have it looked at, as the newer style ones (your car) can become loose and make a horrible racket. At your mileage its certainly time for a new T-belt and accessories if it hasn't been done already. Good luck!

 

[IBratmanI]

Check out our vendor section. I recommend Charlie Baxley at Baxleys Speed Shop. He's very knowledgeable, and trustworthy.