1989 Subaru Liberty LX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Um, a tune-up every 6 months, and you're complaining? Wouldn't this just be responsible car ownership? Are you one of those people when faced with the question: "how often do you check the oil?" just look at them all funny like and say "OIL?"

HEEHEEHEE. Den.

For over 200000km, you have to expect some fairly decent wear and tear. Automatic gearboxes do have wearing parts, especially the brake bands that do most of the work selecting gears. I am not surprised that the alternator needed replacing. Although Subarus are very reliable cars, they will wear over time.

I would say with your engine troubles (as well as your v8 fuel consumption) that possibly your car has had a very hard life. I have a 94 model with 205000k's on the clock, and it still only drinks about 8L/100km (around 28mpg) on average. The only problem I have had was the crankshaft and camshaft front oil seals which began leaking. It was an easy fix when I got my timing belts changed. From what I've heard, it is one problem that the boxer engines are prone to, so keep an eye on it.

My grandfather bought his LX in 1989 and drove it every day, and on very poor country roads.

There were absolutely no problems until 1997, when the alternator died. It was replaced at considerable expense, but this was the only problem he encountered until it was sold in

2000 after his death, and it was in perfect working order.

Liberty's only cause grief if they are neglected.

If the car has done over 200,000km it should be giving trouble and all cars require tuning around twice a year although if your having a lot of trouble I think you will find that the car has been thrashed prior to you owning it.

Hows it going? My family has an 1989 subaru liberty GX AWD. It has done just under 240000kms! It has run really well for the a couple years, my parents service it every 6 months, but 4 or 5 months ago it started playing up. It keeps cutting out now at any speed. We have had a specialist change heaps of things that are wrong. From the Cat back exhaust to the wiring being checked. The mechanic is going to try change the oxygen sensor, then if that doesn't do anything then he will try the computer again. Can anyone help me?? Have any idea what could be wrong?? Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Thanks.

I Have a 1990 GX auto and it has irregular idling, resulting in occasional stalling. Is this a common problem? And what is the cause? And how much should it cost to rectify?

Hello, I hope someone can help me with my problem. I have a 1996 Subaru Liberty. It has done 210,000 km. I have an intermittent problem that my mechanic has not been able to solve. Occasionally, when driving up a hill, it starts to loose power and then cuts out - this has been pretty dangerous a couple of times when on a freeway -luckily I have been able to move over quickly and pull off the road before it completely dies. It usually smells hot, but the gauge is OK. After only a few minutes, it starts again and usually does not cause problems again. Can anyone suggest what the problem might be? Thanks.

I have a 94 Liberty LX FWD and have been experiencing the same problems mentioned above, intermittent power outages, rough idling and so forth, have spent a bucket load getting the following done, Timing belts replaced, new air intake computer, new battery and leads, new manifold gaskets, a new radiator and a full alternator, ignition and electronic check that showed no faults in the electrics. The following has solved the over heating problem, but I still get a slight burnt cooling fluid smell, but gauges read normal.

Am at wits end in narrowing down the problem, please help!!!

I have a Subaru Liberty 1994 that also cuts out occasionally on hills. Did you ever find out the cause of the problem?

I also have a 1995 Subaru Liberty, which cuts out up hills. It was becoming worse, and after a mechanic looking at it, he was scratching his head and has no idea what the problem is. He has replaced the fuel pump, checked the coil and replaced two fuel injectors! It now will not work on flat areas now and is misfiring! Can anyone help?!!!

I have a 1995 Liberty LX and am experiencing the same problem - engine cuts out occasionally when climbing hill, and Check Engine light comes on. I can restart the car immediately. Mechanic has replaced crank angle and cam angle sensors (indicated as faulty by engine management computer) but problem still remains. If anyone has found the problem/solution, please post as comment.

Are all your cars manuals? If so then it may be something to do with that hill holder or whatever. Subaru's from around that era had a special valve so that you didn't need the break to start on hills, maybe its something to do with that.

My mate just bought a Subaru Liberty LX 92' and claims it's a 2.0 Ltr. I've checked everywhere on car sales and cars guide on that particular model and year, and I haven't seen one 2.0 Ltr at all. If there are any, can you please let me know??!

Thanx.

It is the alternator. I have the same problem with hills. The cost to replace it is not worth it.

It sounds to me like a lot of you have taken your cars to mechanics who have absolutely no idea what they are doing and are only good for dropping oil and a filter swap. In the new age of technicians (not mechanics) we like to test components and find what is at fault. Most of you talk about having numerous (and expensive) parts being replaced and still the problem occurs. I say take your car to a real technician.

There is a very easy step that anyone could take. Have a look above your pedals. You will see a large number of wires and cables. You will also notice that there are two black plugs and two green plugs that are not connected.

1) Ignition off

2) Connect the two black plugs

3) Ignition on

4) Now observe the check engine light.

If the engine control unit has noticed any faults it will display them to you in a number of flashes.

You start with the long flash.

Count the number of long flashes (this is the first digit) and then count the number of short flashes (the second digit)

For example the following :-

Long long long short short indicates code 32 which is an open circuit with the oxygen sensor.

Give it a go and see if you come up with anything.

Our 95 Subaru Liberty runs rough and loses power or cuts out intermittently. Starts again in a few minutes. Agents can find no fault on computer check. Crank angle sensor was replaced some years ago. Otherwise it goes well!

We are looking at giving it away (AKA "trade in") because one can't risk grandkids in a unreliable car that may cut out on a freeway or tunnel. Very frustrating because in other respects it has been a fantastic car.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Kitbag.