Odor/ sputter/burp on decline

Great answer, Tom. I don't have the patience to think about hospice cases all the time.

I'm just a gal w no friends in the area to advise me. Hospice? This is about a 3yo to me. Car has lots to give I just need a starting point on getting it feeling perfect. Thanks for the advise. Ill get her on a diagnostic and get back to U.

1996-1999 OBs had the worst motors Subaru ever built. Your 23 year old is indeed in hospice! Don't put $$ into exhaust as the head gaskets will then blow, REALLY pissing you off. That's INTERNAL squirting issues too!

Sadly I have no choice. Was told the wires were fine in August when plugs were replaced while in La. Traveled back to Ga. No issues. Fortunately she hasn't died. Alt. Plugs,Starter, battery have all been replaced. This ol gal withstood well over 2 yrs of being hit on starter w broomstick and always started. Occasionaly a jump. Again, very lucky. Starter never did die. I was tired of using my "stick starter" so much &replaced.She's good on highway I treat her with ease. Going to get diagnostics done tomorrow. However, I will replace wires asap. Will share codes. Thanks guys Jackie

Why will head gaskets blow? I had a a diamond shaped seal replaced in '15 (part if exhaust near engine) just recently noticed the odor. I've put over 100k on her sice 6-'15 She's been from Ga to Philly to Ga to La. To Alabama back to La 2x then back to Ga. She's a tough ok gal.

Because the heads were over-drilled such that the walls were too thin between the cylinder and a coolant passage, resulting in gasket breach and coolant entering the very hoit combustion chamber. Consequent coolant superheating (percolation) blows coolant out the system onto the roadway as a trapped superheated exhaust gas bubble hits the coolant temp gauge sensor and pins your needle quite alarmingly. Happened to nearly ALL first gen 2.5i.