Soobadooba

:bday: Happy Birthday Sydney Mae!!:bday: And congratulations to the proud parents '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Yep, mine is a '91 and the codes are read underneath the dash with the panel under the steering column removed. -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

I'm a little confused. Are you trying to get code flashings from the check engine light on the dash, or the light underneath the dash? Just trying to clarify -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Personally, I leave the spark plugs out when spinning the engine to prime the oil. This way, there is even less load on the bearings until the pressure comes up. Just my preference though. Some may argue the potential for sucking in dirt but, presumeably the engine is clean and unless there is visible dirt floating around in the air...well... whateva. JMHO Cheers, -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

At least you didn't forget to put oil in it at all...or fill it with the drain plug still out...er...not that I would have any personal experience with anything like that;) -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

And if that ain't enough to convince people, maybe the idea that the heater won't work as well with a rich mix will (directed at people in cold climates). Cold tootsies=bad -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

IIIIIIIIIIII'm kinda leanin' towards the headgasket idea. If you've had the thing for 5 years, you should have a pretty good handle on what is normal and what isn't. I've had a vehicle that would stop billowing after the first mile or so, but if you let it sit a few days without running, you would find all the coolant in the oil pan. If you drove it everyday, though, there was no evidence of a problem other than the early morning fogging and a subtle disappearance of coolant every couple of weeks. I agree with sniffing the exhaust and watching for coolant loss/overheating. You might even try pulling the plugs and having someone do a short engine spin (after it has sat overnight or longer) while you watch and see if any coolant shoots from a plug hole (using proper eye protection, of course). Not seeing any coolant doesn't guarantee you don't have a gasket leak, but if you do see some... Good Luck! -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Hmm. Those two symptoms combined don't really sound like a thermostat problem to me:( -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Here's some folks who apparently are (or were) kicking around the idea of converting an EA81 pretty seriously. Go to this link and scroll down to message #30775: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airsoob/messages/30701?viscount=100 Don't know what the outcome was, or if there even was an outcome (didn't read it all), but they bring up some interesting points...things that make you go hmmmmm. This group is all about putting Subie engines in aircraft. I've gotten some pretty interesting info from this site. -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Sheesh! I'm in the wrong business:D -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

I'm thinking that "the feel" is the biggest clue here. For you to not get that "over the hump" feeling when you push the pedal, it indicates to me that the release bearing is not pushing out far enough. I believe you are thinking along those same lines along with others who have posted. I am in total agreement with Skip concerning measuring. How far does the lever move when you push the pedal? How much free play on the release lever if moving by hand with the cable disconnected? Where did the pedals come from? Is the end of the pedal arm where the cable attaches the correct length for this application? I am also noticing at least two different types of release levers/forks/bearings and each is significantly different from the other. I don't know if it is possible to interchange these since I haven't tried, but if the wrong one was in there, I can imagine it could cause something like this. It appears that the ball stud is threaded. I have to wonder if this were to be adjusted out further (closer to the pressure plate) would it help push the bearing into the pressure plate further? Again, I haven't tried this, but it might be something to try if all else fails. As far as the heat issue, I can only guess the expansion of components worsens the already marginal operation of the clutch. I hope enough of this makes sense that it might at least give you some ideas that will help you troubleshoot. More experienced posters may be able to shoot holes in any or all of these thoughts in short order. I've worked on a lot of clutches, but have little Subaru experience-especially on a retrofit. In the meantime, I will try to come up with more hairbrained ideas on what might be wrong. Good Luck and Stay Warm -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Yup, that's what I meant. The input shaft going in too far. However, if this problem didn't immediately start happening after putting it back together or is intermitant, this probably ain't your problem. I also doubt a bad pilot bearing or input shaft jammed up against the crank would change the way the pedal FEELS. That would lead to my next question: when exactly did this start happening? (Forgive me, I'm new here). It worked for a while then stopped or has been doing this off and on? -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Is it possible that the input shaft might be bottoming out in the flywheel/pilot hole as you tighten the transmission to the engine? This would engage the end of the input shaft and mimick the sympton of a clutch not disengaging. Other than that, I got nuthin' that hasn't been mentioned already:( -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Shoot! I was afraid you guys would say that. I guess I gotta pull it ALL the way apart. It wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't a snow storm within hours of hitting us. Guess I can get by in FWD...maybe hitting the 4wd button in a pinch. Thanks Guys:headbang: -Louis_ '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

A scraping-rumbling-knocking orchesta of noises was coming from the left rear axle of my Loyale. Using info on this board, (thanks!:-) ) I decided to check the castle nut. It was, indeed, loose so I decided to tighten it. As I was tightening the nut, I noticed the shaft was starting to move too. The tighter the nut, the more the shaft turned with it. I decided to put the car in 4wd to stop the shaft from moving. When I finished tightening the nut, I got in and drove it and VOILA! No more noise! Nice and quiet! I finished the drive and started putting my tools away...and then it occured to me. The wheel was on the ground...yet the shaft was turning with the nut:confused: I realize I am a relative newcomer to Subaru...am I missing something? Splines, maybe? Am I driving a 3-or-less-wheel-drive-car? TIA, -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Wow! Sniped in the last 2 minutes for a dollar. Oh well... -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

I meant MY car, not THIS one. The principal is the same, though, if he is proven wrong since he is telling us that the motor won't be truly serviceable without at least pulling the heads. The look on his face would probably be very similar. I don't think the valves are bent. The statement that "He should know...etc." without further explanation makes it even more suspect. I think with a tweak of the valve timing,(at worst a belt change) she will suddenly be HEALED! If it does need another motor, I believe it will be for reasons other than bent valves. But then again, what do I know. I also thought Enron was a good buy just before it crashed. Cheers, -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

If you win this car, I think you are MORALLY OBLIGATED to DRIVE IT off of this guys lot and into the sunset under its own power. Nothing like the look on a guys face when you do this after he's told you it can't be done. It's just priceless:lol: -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon (I drove it home!) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2439509185&category=6783

I'd love to go, Paul, but it ain't gonna happen. Wife's getting PO'd that the house isn't done yet and I'm about as broke as I can recall in recent memory. I'd go just to meet you guys and see these yards but I used my last free weekend this year to pick up my Wagon from Maine and it looks like I may have to pull the motor. I still want to see your Sub facility- maybe I'll be able to catch up with you soon. Hope you guys have fun and get great deals:drunk: -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Thanks! I'm in the Bristol area.

Nah, It wouldn't start when I got there. I straightened out the timing issues etc. right there on his property before I drove it home. He just left looking kinda disgusted:D I don't know if he was watching when I started it and drove it away. -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

Yup, passenger side was 180 out and they screwed up the ignition timing as well as the firing order. I'm probably going to need some advice from you guys (and gals)in the near future on some details since I'm new to Subarus. Stay tuned:-) -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2439509185&category=6783 Drove it home without incident (about 250 miles). Interior is in really good shape (in my opinion) and the exterior seems pretty good. Exhaust is loose where the cat meets the Ypipe. Started making a fonky noise from the drivetrain (axle?) just before I got home. Oil pressure is low... motor prolly gonna hafta have a rebuild or replace (I think I hear knocking but the exhaust is sooo loud):boohoo: It'll do 80 as-is tho:D Cheers:drunk: -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon still under evaluation

Ah well...my story is the classic trying to start the engine while the ratchet is still attached to the front pulley while working on timing belts. There may be more though. I pick it up in Maine tomorrow- about 250 miles in a yet unproven car:eek: Potential for hilarity:D -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd wagon

Probably not, since everyone who has posted about covers to me says leave them off...unless...hmmm...you came up with some that had a single quick release or something. -Louis- '91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon