Reliability of 3.0 over time

Posts specific to the 3.0 litre NA H6 engine

Reliability of 3.0 over time

Postby Cormax » Tue Oct 08, 2019 3:59 pm

I picked up a 2004 H6 Liberty a while back with 220k on the odometer. When service came at 225k, took it to Subaru specialist at Pierre motors and they said they knew the previous owners and that also the car is in near mint condition for its age! So i was happy to hear that.

My concern now is how long do you all think this engine has in it life wise? I dont hear any anyone really talking about owning a liberty that has 250k-300k+ on the odo, so it this a sing that they tend to die near this number or do people who own cars with that mileage just take enough care of them and they keep pushing on?

I'm asking because I'm wondering if its worth putting the money into a new audio set up, exhaust, wheel, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I like the car but down the line in 2 or 3 years, might be getting another car. Im more just worried that the car might die before then and I wont get a chance to sell it and resort to parting out haha

Let me know your thoughts, cheers!



PS. New here! Sorry if this is a topic already, I just couldn't find it.
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Re: Reliability of 3.0 over time

Postby Tonic » Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:50 pm

If it don’t eat oil and is well serviced 500,000 km is considered. Usually car wears out before engine.
I sold my last one (2005) at 250,000 as it ate oil but my latest (2009) is at 150,000 and uses no oil and plugs along.
But 10 years old means rubber bits etc are starting to need replacement.
Audio is a consideration but you will need a new centre console set up ... search audio in the forums.... the Mac is not a straight forward thing. If an enthusiast then console, new head unit and updated amp seem to be the start .... add new speakers, a reverse camera and sat Nav and you are all modern.
Exhaust with headers helps sound but not a lot of power... a kido tune or similar helps the go.
Wheels are wheels but suspension is a more important update.
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Re: Reliability of 3.0 over time

Postby satogixxer » Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:43 am

What Tonic said.... if it isn't using much oil and you keep on top of servicing and other maintenance, should be good for a long time.

Below is from my 2004 Outback 3R as of a few weeks back (now 454,000 km).
Image

It isn't burning much oil, I rarely need to top it up between services (which I'm getting done every 10,000 km).
I haven't had it tuned (it's stock) and I always use 98 octane fuel.

With a car of this age however, be prepared for lots of other maintenance issues, and you need to keep a close eye on everything frequently if you want to keep it running.

I've had various little issues... a few coolant leaks due to: hoses perishing, radiator leaking, bad cap, etc. luckily I've always picked up on these quickly due to checking regularly (could be catastrophic to the engine otherwise).
Had some CELs related to air/fuel ratio... so new O2 sensors, clean MAF, and last one was a major PITA to solve, which turned out to be the injectors - got them professionally cleaned and flow tested, no issues since.
Had some intake/vacuum leaks due to split in air intake box to plenum, split hoses, etc.
Had a major fuel leak at one stage again due to perished hoses.
Have had to replace bushes as they cracked etc.
... but the engine remains strong and reliable so far.

If I have the car another 1.5 years with the number of K's I clock up it will reach 500,000 km.
[Liberty GT MY10 6MT]: STI bits | STI Brembo's + Dixcel | DAMD D-shape | Cusco coilovers & sways | HKS LA clutch | BLITZ pod | Plazmaman FMIC | Deshele built EJ25 | Emtron ECU | BorgWarner EFR 7670 | 369kw atw
[Outback 3R MY04]: Stock as a rock
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