Ben L

i cleaned out the MAF and it didn't look that dirty, but it apparantly did help, the hesitation has mostly gone away. my lights are indeed super dim, i just installed some hella driving lights because it was so bad. which grounds did you clean bush basher? meeky, we should get together sometime soon so i can check out your car

well i haven't driven the car since i cleaned the MAF but it didn't look incredibly dirty or anything, and the vane moved freely. i really don't think that's the problem.

thanks all, i'll be cleaning the MAF this afternoon, i'll report if it makes a difference. hey meeky moose, if you read this, did your HKS filter make any performance differance? thanks

i just replaced the battery about two weeks ago. i never have any problems with the car stalling or cutting off at idle. i found that i have less of a problem if i keep the revs about 2k rpm. i would guess that the problem is somewhere in the fuel system..like i said earlier, it really feels like a bad o2 or MAF sensor, but you would think it would trigger a trouble code. i have also determined that the wiring in the car just feels old. my clock works half the time and half the time it doesn't. anymore ideas? this seems like a regular problem with these cars.

hey guys, i've been enjoying my 86 RX, especially because we've gotten some good snows already this year but i've been experiencing a problem with my RX. the symptoms of the problem are that the car will have a hesitation/stumble problem, usually under light throttle/cruising. if i mash the gas it will stumble for about 2 seconds, then surge forward w/ boost. the turbo appears to be functioning normally. the problem doesn't occur more when the car is warm or cold, and it doesn't happen all the time. i checked the EGR solenoid after getting a check engine light. sure enough, one of the vacuum lines had broken off the egr solenoid. i replaced the solenoid and vacuum line, and no more check engine codes, but the problem STILL persists. i don't know much about these subarus, but my first thought is oxygen sensor or mass air flow. the oxygen senson was however replaced recently, it's still shiny looking, so i'm doubting that's the problem. has anyone had this problem, and what were the solutions? thanks for any help! thanks.

thanks for all the comments.. i can't wait for snow

i wish it had the checkered seats! it looks like it's mostly original paint, although it also looks like it was touched up in a few places in the past.

the threaded shaft that my finger is holding up does not have a nut on it like it appears that it should. is this what's wrong?

the cable looks brand new, i'm pretty sure it was replaced about a month ago when the clutch was replaced. i'm thinking whoever replaced it didn't hook everything back up right. i'll go take a pic and post it up. thanks!

check these out.. all comments welcome!

alright, spent a little while with the car. i know the hill holder is disconnected, the long threaded shaft doesn't have a nut on the end, so it doesn't catch when the clutch is engaged. the clutch return spring looks pretty weak, although new. i wonder if a heavier spring would help my clutch action feel better. right now it's heavy to push in, but it doesn't release really smooth like it should. i'll try lubricating the cable as well, although it looks pretty tough to do so. the paint on the trunk lid looks like it used to have a small semi-spoiler on the back, which only went around the trunk key lock, probably about a foot in length, that also goes down the back of the trunk about 5 inches. on the rear plate you can read 4WD TURBO in red, and the small RX sticker in the corner, which is really tough to see. i took some pics, i'll start a new thread with the pics. thanks

the post describing the operation of the dual range 4wd is how mine operates. it is described almost exactly that way in the owners manual. vin #: JF2 AC56B8GE247878 there is no rear spoiler and no side decals. the plate on the back says RX 4WD TURBO in the center. does anyone know where i can get a rear spoiler? Off to the DMV to get tags!

my car is definately an RX. it does not have the button on the shifter, but the dual range on demand hi/lo 4wd. i read through the owners manual and saw a pic of the single push button..definately not my car. also, the dash lights are orange/amber. when 4wd is engaged, the green signal lights up. i didn't notice a LO lighting up, but seriously, i only played with the car for about 5 mins today..it was raining and nasty. if tomorrow is bright and sunny, i will go clean the car a bit and snap some pics for you guys. keep the info coming!

definately! i can't wait for the next non rainy day so i can poke around the car and learn a thing or two. thanks again to all who have replied, and i look forward to being a contributing member of this subaru community

yep, h-style, just like your RX and turbo wagon meekymoose. mine is light blue, with similar rust to your wagon around the rear fenders. paint is a bit faded and oxidized. maybe some nice wax will bring the blue out a little..

aha, i don't think my car is equipped with the diff lock ok, just looked, definately no diff lock. the dash lights are orange

my axles/cvs are also pretty much brand new i'll probably try a few performance tricks in the future, i'm pretty sure there is a turbo XT in the junkyard by my house. i might also want to upgrade from the 13 inch alloys, although they look pretty sharp imo. i'm not sure if my car has the locking differential, is this a manual control, like the 4wd hi/lo? i'm guessing the LSD is in the rear differential and is always there, and only working while in 4wd? no digital dash, thank goodness.

haven't seen the instruments at night, but i know the turbo light is green under boost and the 4wd lights up green when engaged. the fan switch is next to the wiper control, a little dial on the right hand side of the cluster, and the hazard switch is on the steering column.

the car is a 4 door sedan. so with a stand alone knock sensor the timing would be retarded if knock was sensed, so there is probably no damage from 87 octane? sorry if i'm slow, it's obvious to me after about 30 mins on this board that you guys are VERY knowlegable about these cars! i also have to say that i'm really impressed with the engineering of these subarus, they appear to be ahead of their time.

it said on my title 2600 lbs. my car is an 86 rx turbo sedan as well.

cool, thanks for the reply! the previous owner replaced A LOT of things right before i bought the car, which saves me a lot of time and money. well not so much money cuz i ended up paying more for the car, but it definately saves me time. he did the timing belt, water pump, and seals about 20k miles ago, and about a month ago he did the clutch, axles, exhaust, alternator, a pretty decent tune-up. the clutch cable feels REALLY stiff, and the clutch engages as soon as you let your foot off the floor. can this be adjusted? you'll have to forgive me, most of my automotive knowledge is with civic/crxs, i know they have adjustable cables. also the hill holder is not working. perhaps it is out of adjustment..how can i check this? i see that some people think that the hill holder is not that desirable anyways. about that cooling system, i just might throw some water wetter in there to be on the safe side. also, the previous owner has been running 87 octane in the car for the time he's owned it (about 30k miles). i doubt he ever revved the car over 3500 rpm at half throttle, but i understand the car requires at least 90 octane fuel? i'll fill it with 93 octane next trip out. i should be able to get tags and the title switched tomorrow, and so the fun will begin. now i can't wait for snow

hello all.. today i purchased my first subaru..an 86 subaru RX turbo. i hope to have as good luck with the car as the previous owner has had. i'm looking for any and all information about my car, including service manuals or bulletins and how-to articles. thanks for any relplies, and i look forward to using this board. btw, i'll take pics as soon as i can..i hear the RX turbo is kind of a rare car.