is a tune-up the best strategy?

so since getting my car back in november, ive been meaning to clean up the performance of this lil bk with 113k on it...

i dont know how to explain it, but it doesnt "feel" like its running the best it could be, my first instinct was to do a tune up, but i thought id rather do it myself...

when i first start it up, it makes a death squeal that makes my ears bleed until i move it out of park...
sometimes i smell gas when i get out after a drive, sometimes it smels like somethings burning...
when its in park and im outside the car, the engine is just plain noisy, it sounds like its running loud, and there's a slight clicking too

the only thing im sure about is an oil change, but what other things could i do to make her run better?

[2.5GT]

Ahh..the beauty of owning a high mileage car eh?

Use synthetic oil
Flush out transmission fluid/refill + transmission conditioner
Replace PVC valve
Replace spark plugs/wires
Clean throttle body
Run a can of Seafoam in gas tank/intake (see DIY section for details)

Or you can dump more money into by getting some aftermarket goodies. Intake, Header, Full exhaust, Phenolic spacers, Cams etc..

Mine doesn't run as great either, but i don't expect much out of it..since it's just my daily driver. As long as it's reliable and gets me to places...that's as good as it get for me

[rougeben83]

use synthetic but check on the oil level more often because older motors tend to lose more oil w/ synthetic vs. dino.

Otherwise, just change the oil to a high mileage variant that has a more robust additive package.

[Huffer]

Could look at a steam clean for the engine to clean gunk out of the engine bay. Makes it much easier to work on...

But an aggressive tune up consists of:
Seafoam into engine via PCV valve, Seafoam into gas tank then at next oil change:
oil change (recommend Bosch 3310 filter + good oil brand 5w30, full synth isn't as necessary as much as regularity)
air filter change
spark plugs and wires (use Subaru OEM)
PCV valve ($5 from any parts store)
transmission fluid change (Subaru Extra S is good (don't know if there's an auto equivalent). Stay away from weird cocktails, just go with one brand and a factory recommended weight grade.
rear diff oil change (same as above, just stick with regular stuff)

Good luck!

[1996Battlewagon]

Could look at a steam clean for the engine to clean gunk out of the engine bay. Makes it much easier to work on...

But an aggressive tune up consists of:
Seafoam into engine via PCV valve, Seafoam into gas tank then at next oil change:
oil change (recommend Bosch 3310 filter + good oil brand 5w30, full synth isn't as necessary as much as regularity)
air filter change
spark plugs and wires (use Subaru OEM)
PCV valve ($5 from any parts store)
transmission fluid change (Subaru Extra S is good (don't know if there's an auto equivalent). Stay away from weird cocktails, just go with one brand and a factory recommended weight grade.
rear diff oil change (same as above, just stick with regular stuff)

Good luck!

+1

Tune ups always help. Try running midgrade gas as well; usually helps with pinging if that is a problem. A transmission flush will also help.

And 113k is not alot of mileage for a Legacy........ that's low dude.

what is pinging? my car starts to vibrate when im in park but not moving.. is that it?

[1996Battlewagon]

what is pinging? my car starts to vibrate when im in park but not moving.. is that it?

Pinging is just another term for knocking, which usually won't occur when you are in park (unless you have really bad rod knock; whcih means your engine will probably say bye bye soon). It happens alot at part throttle or when you let off the throttle. Bad gas can cause this (among other things). Your vibrating in park problem could be your transmission. Either your mounts are bad or maybe your torque converter. Just a thought; hope that helped.

[aznguy0087]

forgot a nice new subaru fuel filter

[LegacyRob]

The squeeling noise is probably your serp belt. It's dry and crack and should also be replaced.

[Okin DaVanh]

The squeeling noise is probably your serp belt. It's dry and crack and should also be replaced.

+1.

Also, make sure you check to see if your tension pulley is up to par. I replaced all my belts (Timing/AC/Alternator) and found out after that my pulley was on it's way out.


Seafoam the car first, then tune it up to clear it out. Have fun!

[ScaryFatKidGT]

The squeeling noise is probably your serp belt. It's dry and crack and should also be replaced.

+1...+2 now lol

this is probably the death sqeal u said

The squeeling noise is probably your serp belt. It's dry and crack and should also be replaced.

+1...+2 now lol

this is probably the death sqeal u said

is that gunna cost me an arm and my nuts?

[T_F_E]

If the belt is all that has to be replaced then no

aight imma check it out tomorrow.. hopefully autozone haas one on sale