Who is the best Subaru mechanic in Santa Barbara? I've got a "check engine" light that comes on intermittently, and I guess one of these days I should get it checked and taken care of. It may need a tune-up one of these days, as it has 98,000 miles on it and is 11 years old.
COMMENT 172403
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2011-05-12 09:19 AM |
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under the hood automotive
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COMMENT 172404
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2011-05-12 09:19 AM |
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I highly recommend Casey's Garage in Goleta.
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LAINAMALM
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2011-05-12 09:21 AM |
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Barber Subaru in Ventura is where we take our Subi. It's a drive, but well worth it as they know what they're doing.
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COMMENT 172422
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2011-05-12 09:32 AM |
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For about $50 you can buy a cheap code-reader at any automotive store and diagnose it yourself. It won't solve any problems, but gives you a great start
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COMMENT 172429
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2011-05-12 09:42 AM |
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Could be your emissions system. Had the same problem and my mechanic could find nothing wrong anywhere with the engine systems and the car ran fine regardless of that engine light going on. Later it did not pass the smog test, which was out of my mechanic's area of expertise so be sure you are still under warranty if you find it difficult to see what the problem is and the light will not go off, if in fact it is also the emissions system.
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COMMENT 172458
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2011-05-12 10:23 AM |
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Under the Hood is great!
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COMMENT 172471
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2011-05-12 10:48 AM |
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WAIT until the light comes on and STAYS on so the tech can connect the computer to it and read the error code. Or else it will cost you a small fortune in hours for the technician to recreate the error and hunt for the problem. Jaiah at Under the Hood is great!
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EZ2
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2011-05-12 10:52 AM |
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Andy at G.M. Auto -smog he can fix it
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COMMENT 172474
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2011-05-12 10:57 AM |
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I had a similar problem with my Subaru (2001 Impreza OBS). The code being thrown was a "periodic valve 4 misfire" - turned out it needed valve tuning. Since then I've not seen a problem. At that age it could also be the wiring harness or the spark plugs (both of which we tried). To your original question, I've always had great service from Bob Woolever Tire. Despite the name they're a full shop and they've always been up front with me.
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COMMENT 172480
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2011-05-12 11:09 AM |
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Stay away from Casey's in Goleta!
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COMMENT 172485
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2011-05-12 11:19 AM |
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Econo Auto Center
1131 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3113 They are amazing, honest, and they love working on subaru's. I also agree with purchasing a code reader we have one and it has saved us lots of money!
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COMMENT 172497
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2011-05-12 11:53 AM |
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AAMCO in Oxnard will read codes for free. I'm sure other places will do it too. An intermittent code could be the gasoline you are using.
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COMMENT 172509
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2011-05-12 12:17 PM |
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Barber Subaru. They can usually tell what is wrong as soon as you get there or even over the phone when you make an appointment. Saves the extra labor charges non-Subaru repair places charge you just to look under the hood. I just had the same issue with the check engine light and all I need was a new part.
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COMMENT 172529
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2011-05-12 01:24 PM |
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I recommend Top Shop on Patterson in Goleta - they are very honest and good at fixing what's broken. It's likely your uptake oxy sensor going out...you can drive it like this but it will diminish fuel economy over time and your car may not pass it's next smog check.
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COMMENT 172577
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2011-05-12 03:10 PM |
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I don't have any names, but I would highly recommend getting it checked ASAP. I didn't, I had every intention of doing so right after my vacay. The day I got back, on my way home from the airport, my head gasket blew on me. Needless to say, I decided against paying $3k for repairs and am now scratching my head about what to buy.
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COMMENT 172614
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2011-05-12 05:14 PM |
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Airport Motors has given us good Subaru service. They are recommended by the Car Talk web site under "Mechanics" files. They are honest and reasonable--
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COMMENT 172637P
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2011-05-12 06:53 PM |
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@480 - why stay away from Casey's in Goleta? They did a good job for a friend of mine and I was thinking about taking my Toyota there.
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COMMENT 172703
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2011-05-13 07:31 AM |
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Lang's Auto....he worked on our suburu for over a decade. had same problem with that damn light though. think it stayed off during one smog check.
can't remember what it ended up being with computer glitch but eventually was solved. Lang may have fixed it now that i recall.
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COMMENT 172721P
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2011-05-13 08:21 AM |
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Mahneke Motors in Goleta. They are expensive but very good.
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COMMENT 172745
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2011-05-13 09:06 AM |
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Andy at GM Auto on Alamar in SB
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COMMENT 172756
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2011-05-13 09:20 AM |
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I tool my 1999 Subaru Outback to Top Shop for the same warning light issue. I would recommend them.
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COMMENT 172878
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2011-05-13 02:38 PM |
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As a ten year, 160,000 mile owner of a Subaru WRX, I can't believe some of these recommendations! Casey's? Are you kidding me? Subaru's have boxer engines and AWD drivetrains, something you would a like a specialist to work on, not the local smog guy. Barber Subaru? Their Service Manger is a joke. I had to tell him how to perform warranty work on my car because he was having his guys do it wrong. I have had good luck with my Subaru at two places in town: Advance Automotive on Aero Camino, and Top Shop Automotive on Patterson. Get your CEL code pulled before taking it in. I was getting a bunch of cylinder misfire codes (P0301, etc), and it ended up being a warranty recall on my ECU, the dealer had to reflash it, even when I was at 140,000 miles.
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COMMENT 172934P
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2011-05-13 04:23 PM |
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Bowman Auto has maintained my Outback for several years, and before that my Jeep, and before that my Volvos. Steve and his crew really a skilled and trustworthy mechanics.
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COMMENT 173390
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2011-05-15 12:30 PM |
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The check engine light means you have a probem with your emission control system. - Does your engine run rough?
- Is your gas cap tight (a loose cap will cause the light to come on)? Don't get ripped off by a shop. Checking the stored trouble code takes only one or two minutes. Don't let a shop charge you for retrieving the code.
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JUDYINFO
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2011-05-18 12:02 PM |
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Thanks for all the suggestions -- don't know how I missed that my request was in last week. I've already had a smog check place do the diagnostic for $95 and he said it needed a knock sensor (P0328), but honestly, he didn't seem all that sure, and the light's been off and on for almost a year with no increase in any problem. The engine doesn't run rough and it's not the gas cap. I'll check out one of these recommendations.
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