Buying a 2.5i MY05/2004 Lib

[Nordica-k2]

Hey Guys,

So my last liberty was totalled and I'm looking for anther one.
There's a MY05/2004 for sale with approx 115,000k's on the clock (All serviced etc)

Just wondering if there's anything I should look out for before buying? Timing belt etc has been done, but are there any other known issues for that 100k mark? Clutches/Headgaskets weeping? etc.

Thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,


**Sorry if it's in the wrong section, mods feel free to move

[zch91]

Welcome to the forum mate.

Well, for a start, it's missing a turbo..

[Mr04Liberty]

Standard Checks mate,
Brakes, Warped rotors, Tires,
General wear and tear issues,

[Nordica-k2]

haha, oh how I wish I could drive a turbo (p plater)

Thanks for the headsup mr04, if there's no common major issues that I need to look for then that puts my mind at ease - whatever issues the car may or may not have will be specific to that car and I can suss it out upon inspection.

[DownUnder]

The clutches do tend to wear out (usually more than 150k) listen for squealing or screeching from the dual mass flywheel. Check it's not slipping

[BillyCorgi]

If we go buy all the international data available for the 2.5 litre boxer engine, the normally aspirated engines have a weak head gasket issue that was not completely addressed by Subaru until into the Gen 5 model run.
The head gasket is a single layer shim and the standard coating deteriorates and the engine will develop an external oil leak that usually starts first at the lower rear of the left hand head.
Engines with 180,000km plus WILL be prone to the issue.
Once the oil starts you have up to 50,000km before Head Gasket failure.
The good news is there is a permanent fix by using the 2.5 litre STI turbo multi-layer head gasket. The good news is that it is cheap to do the fix yourself. The bad news is that it costs a bomb to have someone do it for you.
I have a few cars offered to me cheap once the owners had received the quote from the mechanic. Howeve, there are only so many cars you can own?

By the time I did my son's Outback, both heads were weeping. Left bank at the rear and the right bank above the oil filter location. Left a right proper mess to be cleaned. Since doing the HGs, the engine is clean and dry!
So, have a good look at the plastic under tray for oil deposits.

[HyRax]

Just wondering if there's anything I should look out for before buying?

For all Subaru's, check behind the drivers' side headlight in the engine bay for a square yellow sticker that says "PAINT OK" on it.

If it's been painted over or if it's missing or not stuck on properly, there's a good chance that it's been in a frontal and had a potentially dodgy repair.

[BillyCorgi]

Thanks for that.....
All my Subies have the Paint OK decal.
The MY12 Foz and the 09 Lib wagon both bought new (as they should) plus the MY05 3.0R-B Wagon bought recenty.
Great advice!

[seanmau5]

Another common issue is the lower control arm bushes. They tend to wear, particularly the rear bush.