Considering a 3.6L H-6 Subaru

[ford46guy]

Looking for a car for a relative
Found a 5K , 149K mile Outback Limited. 3.6L. These are pretty good - I would almost compare it to my GS with the AWD.The last generation Legacy with the 5 Speed would almost be a competitor in a high trim. Nice power but not quite as punchy as the Lexus.

Very well maintained but had a trans replacement at 95K. So it is perfect now for a fluid change. Drives great. These have the TR690s with the bottom valve body.
Few issues -
May need a front subframe in the future (therefore the price), no rust anywhere else, I'm ok with that. Car looks great otherwise.
Other is valve cover gaskets sweating. Not sure if that is an in vehicle repair.
Needs 2 Rear wheel bearings

Any experiences with the late model V6 Subaru? Thanks. I read they reach high miles but some people run into issues.

 

[Chris142]

Unless I was restoring ultra rare cars like Hemicuda's any sign of rust is a nogo.

 

[ClutchDisc]

On the H4 engines, valve cover reseal can be done with the engine in the vehicle. I would imagine the H6 would be similar.

 

[D60]

Very well maintained but had a trans replacement at 95K. So it is perfect now for a fluid change. Drives great. These have the TR690s with the bottom valve body.
Few issues -
May need a front subframe in the future (therefore the price), no rust anywhere else, I'm ok with that. Car looks great otherwise.
Other is valve cover gaskets sweating. Not sure if that is an in vehicle repair.
Needs 2 Rear wheel bearings

Any experiences with the late model V6 Subaru? Thanks. I read they reach high miles but some people run into issues.

That's funny because I just swapped the TR690 at 97k on a '15 Outback 3.6. It developed the front pump seal leak and was run too low too long.

I did the plugs while the engine was suspended as I could rock it up/down left/right. It seemed to me it would be REALLY tight just to do plugs with the engine in situ. Note I'm not saying impossible -- just lots of swapping tooling to get just the right length. Use reversible EVERYTHING as it's easy to back yourself into the "frame" and be otherwise stuck.

ANYWAY, if plugs are that tight I imagine VC gaskets would be....interesting

 

[supton]

Car in rustbelt NY with rust issues already? I think South Main Auto has a video on doing Subaru wheel bearings--I think if I was paying him to do it, I wouldn't mind it, but I sure wouldn't touch it myself.

Is this something you need to rack up miles or years on? My thinking, if this is just to get by for a few years, not many miles, then it might be an ok gamble. If it's for long term... not so sure. Subframes might be easy to swap but a harbinger of things to come, once the next trans replacement is added in.

 

[97prizm]

Looking for a car for a relative
Found a 5K , 149K mile Outback Limited. 3.6L. These are pretty good - I would almost compare it to my GS with the AWD.The last generation Legacy with the 5 Speed would almost be a competitor in a high trim. Nice power but not quite as punchy as the Lexus.

Very well maintained but had a trans replacement at 95K. So it is perfect now for a fluid change. Drives great. These have the TR690s with the bottom valve body.
Few issues -
May need a front subframe in the future (therefore the price), no rust anywhere else, I'm ok with that. Car looks great otherwise.
Other is valve cover gaskets sweating. Not sure if that is an in vehicle repair.
Needs 2 Rear wheel bearings

Any experiences with the late model V6 Subaru? Thanks. I read they reach high miles but some people run into issues.

Plugs and gasket replacement is very tight from what I hear. Not the easiest DIY vehicle.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

That's funny because I just swapped the TR690 at 97k on a '15 Outback 3.6. It developed the front pump seal leak and was run too low too long.

I did the plugs while the engine was suspended as I could rock it up/down left/right. It seemed to me it would be REALLY tight just to do plugs with the engine in situ. Note I'm not saying impossible -- just lots of swapping tooling to get just the right length. Use reversible EVERYTHING as it's easy to back yourself into the "frame" and be otherwise stuck.

ANYWAY, if plugs are that tight I imagine VC gaskets would be....interesting

That’s why I paid the local indie 3 hours to do VC gaskets & spark plug tube seals… worth every penny, plus rounding up to the nearest $100 in order to not sour the relationship…

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Plugs and gasket replacement is very tight from what I hear. Not the easiest DIY vehicle.

Plugs aren’t terrible. Nothing a ratchet, 3” & 6” extension, and plug socket can’t handle. Along with a Xanax and a six pack…

 

[slacktide_bitog]

An Outlander would be better, especially if you can get a PHEV

 

[AZjeff]

Unless I was restoring ultra rare cars like Hemicuda's any sign of rust is a nogo.

You wouldn't be buying anything older than 2 years in NY then if any sign of rust is a nogo. Watch South Main Auto and note what he has to deal with.

How can the subframe be rusted to the point of replacement and there be no other rust? ?

 

[IndyIan]

I found the easiest way to change the rear wheel bearings was this.

I did manage to smash/chisel the first one out, but it took too long and it mangles the brake shield a bit.

Also I read if you undo the engine mounts and move it sideways, the valve covers aren't too bad?

We have an 2018 2.5 Outback and I find the engine is fine, pretty much invisible when highway cruising, not a rocket when passing, but does the job. I think the 3.6 has a better head and valve cover setup than the 2.5.
I like how these drive, and am considering getting another Outback to replace my hand me down 2016 Impreza sedan, mostly for the cargo space.