Conflicting Diagnosis: 2004 Subaru Outback Question

[Nevada_545]

@carsleuth

someone pulled out enough of the alternator and the manifold to see what the problem was. I don’t even know how it was physically possible to install it that way as the manifold never came off when the alternator was installed — that said, the car went straight from that repair to the shop that did the head gasket work and I can’t rule out that the car was tampered with there (that was the shop that insisted that we needed an new ECM).

When replacing the head gaskets the engine is removed and disassembled, the alternator and intake manifold are removed. Your engine repair mechanic had the opportunity to inspect or damage the intake manifold linkage.

@carsleuth

The first HG repair failed immediately, bending valves (re-do of the job was under warranty).

That is not bad luck, that is poor workmanship and it shows that they disassembled the engine twice. Who do you think damaged the intake manifold linkage?