# Replace starter in 2018 Subaru Outback, 2.5i Premium engine **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** outback, subaru\ **Created:** [March 28, 2025, 10:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654 "2025-03-28T10:27:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BicycleRider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@BicycleRider](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BicycleRider)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 10:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/1 "2025-03-28T10:27:37Z")
The starter in my Subaru Outback (2.5i Premium engine) has over 100,000 miles on it. I tried to remove it and found the lower nut holding the starter in place is very tight. Any suggestions on how to remove the nut is most appreciated. If a product is recommend such as penetrating solution, I would like to know the brand. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/2 "2025-03-28T11:27:29Z")
Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster and Kroil are pretty effective. Impact wrenches also can help beat the bolt loose. And then we have fire… can’t stay stuck if it is liquid! That takes an oxy-acetylene torch not just propane or mapp gas. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/3 "2025-03-28T16:43:51Z")
You can reach it but can’t turn it? You need more wheaties. 3/8” drive? Try 1/2” drive. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/f/3f88c5d916c9de71c0ffb85e83792d905f20eb9e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/4 "2025-03-29T02:47:17Z")
> [@2018 Subaru Outback - How long will the starter last?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-outback-how-long-will-the-starter-last/198381): > > I have a 2018 Subaru Outback with 100,000 miles. How long will the starter last. I average 3 trips a day. That works out to starting the car 6 times a day. I live is Minnesota so it gets cold in the winter. Part 2 I guess??? ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/5 "2025-04-19T23:25:38Z")
Your going to have more trouble with the replacement starter than you ever would have had with the original. The original should last 300k+ miles. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/6 "2025-04-21T02:01:27Z")
If you can physically put your hand on the starter, and physically access the bolts, all you need is more leverage. Either use a breaker bar, or get a length of 3/4" steel pipe to place over the handle on your ratchet\*. And make sure you are attempting to turn the bolts in the proper direction, i.e. counter-clockwise to loosen. \*Tool manufacturers do not recommend placing anything over the handle of a ratchet for additional leverage, and claim that this can break the mechanism, however I have done this for years and never damaged a tool. Wear gloves to protect your hands in case the mechanism does break, and the wrench “lets go”. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 11:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/7 "2025-04-21T11:37:22Z")
IMO it’s much better to use a breaker bar. You can get a 1/2” drive 25” bar from Harbor Freight for about $20. That’s cheap enough that I’d buy it for occasional DIY use. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/8 "2025-04-21T19:08:07Z")
Right. I’ve never had a starter go back on any of my cars, even well over 200K miles. Is the starter actually showing some warning signs of failure? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-starter-in-2018-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium-engine/199654/9 "2025-04-22T01:38:49Z")
I’ve sold/replaced tons of Honda starters, older GM’s and many more, and just replaced the starter on my Infinity I35 with only 121,000 miles on it… So starters do go bad, but haven’t replaced many on Subarus…