Any ideas on on sputtering and back fires for my max?

 

https://www.carrsubaru.com/service/i...averton-or.htm

 

I suspect a timing issue. Timing is off (due to worn chain tensioners / stretched timing chain), or your crankshaft sensor / camshaft sensors are sending incorrect timing information to the ECU.

 

Thanks for responding, would a non skilled person such as myself be able to do this? And what would be your best guesstimate for cost of having a shop do this?

 

You can easily do the sensors. Timing chain stuff, on the other hand, is not for the beginner.

First, you have to figure out (diagnose) what the issue actually is. You don't want to start throwing parts at it, for that gets very expensive and usually does not resolve the issue.

Stuff like your issue is tough. I would just take it to a shop to be diagnosed. Mechanical stuff you can see (brakes/suspension) are far easier to deal with because you can see it. That is not your case, so I would get it diagnosed and then figure out what you want to do.

 

10-4 sir thanks for you advice!!

 

No problem. Hopefully some others on this forum will have something to add as well, which might narrow it down a bit for you.