john in KY

Don't know how the oil and gasoline is mixed on this engine but almost sounds like lack of cylinder lubrication is the problem.

I've had axles that absolutely would not move in the hub until that beveled washer directly behind the axle nut was first removed. Once the washer was removed the axle most of the time just moved freely. Go figure.

If you know or it looks like either the engine or transmission has been replaced then the internal transmission pump has most likely been damaged and the transmission is junk. Easy test is to pull one of the ATF cooler lines and crank the engine. No ATF then it is the pump. Linkage is no more then a cable. Don't toss the transmission Xmember because it is unique to the 4EAT. Real good chance this also has the LSD in the rear. Once owned a 90 turbo wagon with the 4EAT. Nice combination.

Just reuse the XT6 strut. The XT6 knuckle, where the strut mounts to, is actually thicker by about an 1/8" than the Legacy k nuckle. If you enlarge the top mounting hole you can even use the Legacy camber bolt.

E-brake may just need adjusted which can be done by turning a nut under the transmission hump. Also have some front rotors and calipers I saved from an XT if you want to go use. PM if interested. Also a bad MC can cause this problem. Heated fluid which expands can not return to the MC so it goes the other way and pushes against the caliper piston. More heat, more "push" and eventually the front brakes losk.

Something not right here. No 85 XT came with the 4-speed auto.

That one-loose nut suggestion made me think about how about loosening all the nuts and take the car for a ride? Now I've never done this but don't see why it would not work.

Leaking intake manifold gasket?

My wagon with slightly more miles than yours still has its original axles.

Fuel pressure regulator ruptured. Pull the vacuum line, looking for gasoline. Fuel injector stuck wide open. My money on the FPR.

Can't be repaired. The suspension mounting surfaces have rusted away.

Drain the gasoline and change the fuel filters before doing much of anything else.

My guess is there is still some air in either the MC or ABS or both.

Blown fuse?

http://www.pullapart.com/Inventory/SearchDetail.aspx

None of the listed wheels has the same center bore dia used by Subaru. Some are smaller and others are larger and forget about any having even a close offset. http://www.liquidationdemags.com/Guide_des_V_hicules.php

Just curious but how did you get from VA to LA?

Wonder if there is some way the ignition timing could be moving around on you?

Been 20+ years since I lived in No.Va. and don't know if he still has his business but worth checking to see if Mike Armstrong is still located in The Plains, Va. Located betwen Front Royal and Gainsville on 55. Mike's an honest guy.

The LSI was the top of the line model in 96. Leather, better paint, better radio and seats. Stuff like that. Should also have the sunroof. Really a very nice package and fairly rare to find.

The older Subarus had 4 fusible links under the hood near the battery that controlled 4 different main circuits. Your model I believe does not have the fusible links but rather relays. I'd check them. Bet one is bad.

Can't just look at the fusible links and determine they are good to go. Remove them and give each a good tug. More then once I have seen them fall apart with a tug.

Probably not your problem but the coil bracket has to well grounded. That "condensor" receives a small voltage from the ECU and ramps it up enough to fire the coil. May as well check the fusable links and look at the back of the ign switch.

Someone on another forum recently had the same problem. Eventually discovered the light in the trunk was always on causing the drain.

It won't. Actually ER33 engines aren't that expensive. Just not a demand for them.