Hey all,

I posted this in the regional forums and have had no luck. Was wondering if anyone else has heard anything about excessive engine knocking/pinging in the Legacy's 2.5.

I have a 2002 Legacy GT Limited sedan with around 41K on it, and at around 30-40 mph, there is loud knocking/pinging from the engine. A friend said he heard on one of the radio car talk shows that 2002 Legacies have been plagued with this problem (as well as blowing head gaskets) and Subaru can't figure out why.

I have taken it to Rye Subaru (Rye, NY) a few times for the problem (I live in CT but Rye is closer to my work than Subaru of Wilton, CT), and they told me they hooked it up to the diagnostic machine and everything was OK. They told me to upgrade my gas and switch brands, so I now use 89 octane. It helped a little but I have to say I am still disappointed, because I expected this car to be perfect mechanically for a very long time. All I know is I do a lot of driving and I need this car to last! Has anyone else experienced this or heard anything about it? Thanks...

 

I'm no Subaru expert but I'll tell you I notice a difference in all my cars when I use 89 vs. 92 octane.

I know gas prices are up now but if I were you, I'd try 92 for a while. My truck diesels when I shut it off and knocks when I'm at high speeds if I use anything less than 92.
Good luck

 

Try the highest octane you can get for at least a tank. My 00 runs perfectly fine with 87 or 89, no pinging except under bad load conditions. Head gaskets are a problem in these cars, but the new replacements seem to be holding up well.