2001 subaru outback shakes when breaks are applied, smell oil from motor

Asked by Subaruguy131 Feb 19, 2016 at 05:36 AM about the 2001 Subaru Outback

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2001 Subaru outback 189,000 miles on her. When I am driving and apply the brakes the front end starts to grind and shimmy...also there is a faint smell of burning oil coming from the engine when driven after a mile or so. What could be the potential problems and approximate cost to repair?

5 Answers

223,745

Sound like you need a brake job on the front end, pads and rotors at least, the oil usually is a valve cover gasket needing to be replaced. All I can give you is the cost of these parts. Labor depends on who you take it to. Be right back.

223,745

Rotors are from $25 to $65 a piece, brake pads, from $20 to $60 for a set, calipers if needed go from $50 to $100 a piece, and valve cover gasket run from $20 to $60. Now the wide range in pricing is in what grade of parts you want to put on.

18,775

it could be valve cover gasket, spark plug seals (in the VC area), head gasket, or other areas dripping onto the exhaust manifold. Best bet is to remove your drip catcher (diaper) and wipe off the bottom of the engine and then after driving a bit, check it out. Front rotors could be warped. Check www.rockauto.com for the best deals IMO. Get rotors and pads.. also check if they're manual/auto specific.

30

If your rotors are warped and have been so for long, they may have damaged your calipers. (I had this happen on another car) If so, I very much recommend rebuilding rather than replacing. It's very easy, and the cost for new seals is easily within $10.

48,660

Brakes: front rotors (and pads) indeed needed. Easy. Oil smell: In order of prevalence for 2001-2009 OBs: 1. blown axle DOJ boot spews grease onto exhaust; replace half- axle 2. right side head gasket leak (ouch! $1600) 3. right side VVT oil pressure switch leaks, dripping down to exhaust too ($15...phew!) 4. valve cover gasket leaks tend to NOT get smelly, but can foul a plug if not cleaned up periodically; add oil stop-leak product to oil, and use only non-synth 10w oil!

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 801 nationwide Outback listings starting at $1,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,490
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,650
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,380
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
19 Great Deals out of 1,005 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota RAV4
88 Great Deals out of 2,026 listings starting at $3,499
Used Honda CR-V
92 Great Deals out of 3,817 listings starting at $1,995
Used Subaru Legacy
7 Great Deals out of 156 listings starting at $4,999
Used Toyota 4Runner
15 Great Deals out of 341 listings starting at $9,900
Used Toyota Tacoma
53 Great Deals out of 1,029 listings starting at $8,708
Used Subaru Impreza
18 Great Deals out of 454 listings starting at $3,999
Used Toyota Highlander
24 Great Deals out of 719 listings starting at $6,495
Used Toyota Camry
51 Great Deals out of 944 listings starting at $2,212
Used Ford F-150
296 Great Deals out of 15,534 listings starting at $1,712

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.