Burned by "Subaru Specialist." What would you do?

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

I don't know John but I do know that people like that eventually pay for their sins.  ( not trying to be religious here just trying to find alternative wording for what we're both talking about). 

In reply to frenchyd :

I agree with you, and really hope you are right. I can't find the comedian or someone who said recently..... and something the older I get ..i Keep seeing

If we believe in "what goes around, comes around..."

More and more I keep seeing "it never comes around..."

Oh well back to Subaru....

Boost problems are almost always some kind of leak.

I'm with you on getting a nut and bolt check from someone you trust.

For the actual boost pressure, I have a <$30 BAFX doodad that plugs into my OBD2 port and links via Bluetooth to my phone and gives me accurate real time info on the Torque Pro app including boost pressure. My reading says my car (05 Legacy Gt) makes a max of 13.5 psi of boost which is exactly the factory spec.

I strongly encourage you to go with that or similar as it can support different cars and can check and clear trouble codes and many other problems.

Thanks for the support, everyone. The time is long past where I would lay awake at night over something like this.

I'm over it, and I'm going to move on.

I probably should at least post some stuff on the local review sites and enthusiast forums and pages, just as a public service. 

Good suggestion on torque Pro, I've got it on my phone but I could never get the phone to link to the OBD adapters. The phone is a 2015 model, so I may have to wait until I can upgrade, or I can install it on my tablet.

mr2s2000elise said:

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

 Boost was still erratic,

. It's going to stay parked for the time being, both because I don't know if I'm overboosting and because it's got a power steering leak. Also, I still don't have confidence in the timing belt replacement. I'm going to have it pulled apart and redone.

What a headache!

WOW this is turning out to be one expensive subaru.... 

Is there an inexpensive (turbo) Subaru?

I planned on it costing some money, after all it is a 16-year-old used car.

Although it sucks to pay labor on the same job twice, I bought it right when car prices bottomed out this spring. It's still worth more than I've got in it.

From customer support:

1) Be sure you are using an Android or Windows based phone/tablet. iOS phones will not find the Bluetooth signal
2) Unpair any and ALL other Bluetooth devices from the phone even if you are not actively using them (including the OBD reader)
3) Shutdown the phone COMPLETELY
4) After a few seconds turn the phone back on
5) Once restarted ensure that ALL non essential apps that you have on the phone are completely closed
6) If you have Pandora on your phone ensure that it is also fully shutdown and not running in the background at all
7) Plug the OBD reader into the vehicle and start the vehicle fully
8) Ensure that the red light is illuminated on the OBD reader
9) Pair the adapter back up with your phone using the “1234” pairing code
10) Open Torque and complete the internal Torque setup process once again as described in the instructions. I have also included those steps below for your reference:
Open Torque (Pro or Lite)>Press the small gear icon in the lower left corner>Select "settings">Select "OBD2 Adapter Settings">Select "Choose bluetooth device">Select the small circle next to "OBDII">Return to the main menu of Torque>Press the back arrow on your phone and exit the application (ensure you are prompted to exit the app)>Wait a few seconds, then reopen the app and allow it to connect to vehicle

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

I'm a former Subaru tech who still gives a Berkley about my work. I'd be happy to wrench on it if its logistically possible. I'm on the east coast if FL.

I'm (marginally) capable, have the tools, and it's getting to the time of year where I can work in the driveway again, but...I'm 65 years old, have a fair bit of wear and tear on the hands and wrists, and need to be able to do surgery for another seven or so years. It's just not fun any more, and I have to preserve myself.

BAT may get some nice ones, but I can't afford anything that gets sold there. I got wiped out in the last recession, which is why I'm going to be working well into my 70s.

I feel for you there. My dad is the same age and while he's thankfully almost given up on working, he too lost most of his retirement to a situation out of his control. If i was local I'd try to help you. 

Speaking of surgeons and good hands, does anyone else find it super implausible that in the intro to the Dr. Strange movie, they show him using incredible dexterity in surgery and then immediately...wrecking a car? Didn't make sense to me. 

In reply to Vigo (Forum Supporter) :

It makes sens to me. I've known so many people who are talented athletes and they can barely operate a vehicle competently. It's as if the thing isn't immediately connected to their body they don't know how to control it.

appliance_racer (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

I'm a former Subaru tech who still gives a Berkley about my work. I'd be happy to wrench on it if its logistically possible. I'm on the east coast if FL.

I may take your offer. FL east coast is a long way. I'm near Daytona Beach.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

You do realize Daytona Beach is on the east coast of Fl, right?  

In reply to spitfirebill :

Yeah, but he's driving a 16 year old turbo Subaru 

I kid, here's hoping you guys can hook up and get this thing sorted out.

Lof8 - Andy said:

In reply to Vigo (Forum Supporter) :

Amen. "Giving a E36 M3" is the main reason I don't trust most shops and try to do most tasks on my cars.   I'm not a great mechanic and I'm slow as berkeley, but I do care about the results and will do what it takes to get things done right. 

Well said Andy!

When faced with a big challenge and wondering if I can handle it, I find comfort in the adage...

Never underestimate the ability of the DIY'er.  After all, the Titanic was built by professionals and the Ark was built by an amateur.

I'm slow as Berkeley too.  My first tile job was a kitchen remodel...took me four months (grad school and working two jobs at the time)...negotiated with my future wife how much would be completed by Thanksgiving Day down to an individual 4" row so she could determine what things she could cook

But, when finished, that sucker was laser accurate on all three dimensions and would laugh at a direct nuclear hit.