jeffx

Working digital clock option?

Out of the five Subarus I've owned and sold, only one didn't run when I sold it, a 98 OBW with its second set of head gasket issues. The rest were all EA81s and 82s.

Greetings from Apache Junction!

Any other ideas on aftermarket replacement airfilters for a 88 GL Wagon SPFI? As much as I'd like to drive to the Porsche/Subaru/Mars Rover Dealership, any advice?

I may have to, its a bit of a drive, though.

Any advice on correct air filter replacement for a SPFI EA 82. The replacement specified at Checker only fits if I mount it upside down for some reason. The one specified is a Microfilter MGA4303 Thanks.

I slide a cheap hang type cup holder under the shifter boot (actually I used two, one for each side.)

Not high, but low. 88 GLW 4X4 DR MT5: Just over 88,000.

Thanks, I knew I'd seen one of these (it was blue with black bumpers). Thanks!

Did early XT's have a rear seat delete option?

I've never really posted any sort of an introduction at usmb, although I've been a registered member for a years--just bought Subaru #5. My 98 OBW scarfed its second set of headgaskets in as many years in December--thought I was out of the game, but I've always wanted an EA82 Wagon with DR 5 speed. I found one in January here in Phoenix. Its an 88 GL in Liberty White. The body is very nice and the interior is pretty cherry for an Arizona car. Ironically, the car was originally a Michigan vehicle, sold in Petoskey. No rust at all. I believe the car was brought out here and only used occasionally, thus the condition. All the electrical works--even the clock! I had a new clutch put in. I have to admit, its definitely harsher in drive quality than my OBW, but I kind of enjoy the peppy buzz - iness of it, it brings back a lot of good, albeit old memories of my other EA Subarus--and no rust (I can't get over it! I lived in MI for 22 years before moving out here and most of my subarus ended up in a series of five-gallon pickle buckets). Oh, and I sold the OBW, couldn't bear to go through with the repairs again.

Bump to add--got the car smogged (it passed!) and new plates--ironically, it was a typically hot day in Apache Junction, AZ at the DMV and I was fanning myself cool with my soon to be obsolete Michigan plates! Its odd to note taht I lived in Michigan for 22 years (nearly my entire adult life) and never had to have my car inspected. In fact, the last time I was required to get car inspection was when I was a young driver in my home state of Indiana! There are plenty of excellent drives both on and off the road within shouting distance of my new place here in AZ...I had business at Canyon Lake last week, and drove a bit more of the Apache Trail past Tortilla Flat. Fish Creek Canyon is my next trip up there! Holy Switchbacks! The pavement ends on Arizona 88 about three miles past Tortilla Flat and then it's b$$lls out caution, watching the roadway go into bizzaro mode (next time Mrs. X drives so that I can see at least SOME of the scenery). Folks here assure me that Flagstaff sees some snow in season, so we can go play in the powder. Again, I've always trusted Subaru's reliability, but considering the heartache I went through to get this current ride, I was cautious, indeed. But Ruby G has proven herself worthy of her Subaru name and her Indiana heritage!

I appreciate the gloomy feedback folks, but, jeez, you'd think I'd driven a Maserati to the moon! At last count, there were six Subaru dealerships in the valley. Compared to the ONE Porsche/Audi/Mars Rover Dealership in Grand Rapids, I'd say the odds are favorable that I could get a proper oil change here. Hey, I appreciate the wonky oddness of our Subarus as much as the next swinging D, but they aren't Candu reactors that run on heavy water isotopes, right? I just wanted to say that the board's guidance paved the way for a smooth trip out west and that I got the proper service done due to the board's diligence in documenting facts about this particular model car.

Just made a major move from our home in West Michigan to the Valley of the Sun (Apache Junction, AZ, actually). We packed ourselves and our animals (2+2) into Ruby and made the trip in five days. We had a cartop cargo carrier loaded, too and still managed around 22 MPG. I took some pics with my phone on the way out and will append this post. This particular OBW is my fifth Sub and had the dreaded HG problems when I bought it. The repairs were done correctly, and I'm happy to report that the car had NO problems whatsoever (the temp gauge never budged over nom. and the coolant still smells like coolant). Haven't seen too many Subaru's here, but I did tap the horn for another Ruby Red OBW in Apache Junction yesterday. Anyone on the board from the area? I just want to thank this board and its members for helping me sort my newest Subaru out before the trip. I couldn't have done it without you.

Bump to update that I fixed the problem by tracking down all the grounding points on the chassis that I could access and cleaning and tightening them (and spraying on a bit of WD), and also cleaning and re-tightening the battery leads. Thanks for all suggestions!

I believe the EG33 engine required premium fuel IIRC.

I love teh USMB. In retrospect, the previous owners had the Alternator recall service done with a Subaru rebuilt alt. However, it was done in 2001. I'm going to follow sage board advice with an eye toward a wonky alternator.

Thanks all for replies. I'm not convinced that my battery disconnect is the quick fix--but, I haven't had to jump the beast since I started doing so. A logical fallacy, probably--jumping to conclusions, definitely! Advance Auto tested my car at the store after I had driven it there, so the engine was at least "warm". I'm probably a bit paranoid about it since being stranded is a drag--but it is a one-year old battery from Subaru. The headgaskets failed about five months ago and I had the heads machined and replaced on a new used EJ25 (D) shortblock. The electrical problems seem consistent with my experience with the older model Subarus (1981 GLF, 1984 GL Wagon, 1986 GL Wagon). Definitely a Subaru. I will try to isolate the problem as suggested above.

Thank you. Would anyone else care to take a stab at interpreting the data from my battery/alt test?:-\

I've been having problems with my battery losing its charge and not being able to start my car without a jump. I've done quite a bit of reading on the boards regarding this problem in 1998 OBW, especially where it concerns "always on" features in the various components (radio, remote locking, ecu, etc.) I've been disconnecting the battery terminal when I put the car away for the night (etc.) and this, at least, allows me to start it. I had my battery and alternator tested, but am not certain if I am interpreting the results correctly. I want to rule out the battery and alt as causes for this problem first so that I can concentrate on isolating the source of this battery drain. The results of the battery/alternator test: battery test voltage: 12.94 505 CCA 500 CCA Starter test voltage: 11.60v charging system no load 14.19 v 20.3a loaded 13.86v 47.8a drain test 0.00a pass

Thanks. I am doing research on USDM models with EJ15-20X engines and I keep getting spurious information on the intranets.

Just caught this thread. The 1985-1987 Toyota MR2 (AW11-AW16) used a Corolla AE94? FWD drivetrain mounted mid-ships IIRC (including some vestigal parts of the steering system). This was the same famous 4AGE DOHC 16 Valve engine that powered the AE86 Corolla of drifting fame.

Was the Baja available with the 2.0 liter engine in the US?

Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately I have the slave CD AND the cassette player WB radio...so the slots are full. I though about moving the cup holder down as you mentioned.

Ruby seems to have retained every pen and pencil ever dropped in her ten years jammed into the front seat tracks. I'm going to have to unbolt the seats to get them out (I'm afraid I'll break the pens otherwise). I left the guy I gave my first Subaru the two by four that kept the seat from ending up on the road! Hope he used it!