Olnick

Way to go, medic! What a feeling of accomplishment. Air still working okay?

Not to rain on your parade, but is the Baja box big enough to be practical (Uh-oh, here come the flames!)? In 20 years of driving Subie wagons, DL, GL and Legacy, I've been able to carry some pretty bulky things in or on them. 'Course the Baja do look a lot sportier than my wagons!!!

Shweet looking ride, Ed!

I suspect the polishes you used left a residue that messed up the clearcoat. After your finest sanding, do a thorough degreasing (acetone, degreaser, alcohol?) and follow Legacy 777's instructions. Bet you'll have better luck.

Wow! Now that's some thinking, 9pec. Great logic and analysis. Sure hope you solve the problem bart so we cam see if he nailed it. Good luck.

(Pssst, Nipper. He did!)

Good deal! What's NS?!!

Welcome aboard, Jason. I think you made a good buy. Sounds like your mechanic is right on. Probably should replace both cam seals and the crank seal, re-seal the oil pump and by all means throw a new water pump on while you're in there. Also check the belt idlers and tensioner. As for do it yourself stuff, you might want to replace the fuel filter too. I'm not big on additives and "magic-cures-in-a-bottle" but running Seafoam through the top end and a Techron injector cleaner through the fuel tank sure made my old Legacy feel better. Check the PCV valve and maybe replace. Clean the MAF sensor (I assume the 1.8 has one?) but do so gently--use a spray cleaner and don't touch the fine little wires! Another often overlooked item--remove your brake calipers and make sure the slides are clean and well greased (gives you a chance to inspect your brake pads too!) It's amazing what the slightest bit of drag can do to performance and gas consumption. Search and read lots here on the board and ask lotsa' questions--there's tons of Subie wisdom here. Above all, enjoy your ride!

Life's a crapshoot. There are no guarantees. That said, what you've found (and I think you've been quite good in tracking down the leaks) is a rather normal Subaru speciific "flaw"--they often leak oil. The fix is quite reasonable and shouldn't be a deal breaker in my opinion. New cam and crank seals, oil pump re-seal, new timing belt and a new water pump while you're in there should give you years of trouble-free driving. Problem is you've gotta' go into the front end to do all that and that's where the expense is, labor. Can you find a good indie mechanic in your area? Are there any USMB members or Subie-lovers with grease under their fingernails who could help for a few bucks? My suggestion: Remove all emotion from the equation and go talk money with the seller. Pure business transaction. "Here is what it will cost me to put this vehicle in decent driving condition--can you help me?" See if he'll split the repair cost with you. Wave cash under his nose if you have to! Good luck and let us know what happens.

Oh, this is just too perfect a setup and I can't resist! (With apologies in advance to cookie!) So, here's what ya does. Ya goes and finds yourself the best mature Legacy you can get--1990 through '96--bulletproof non-interference 2.2L, non-turbo with 5-speed manual tranny, +/- $2000. Then you give it a thorough once-over. Replace, repair, restore the basics, tuneup, +/- $2000. Then just enjoy driving it. The other $9K? Ah, you'll figure something out for that. I know, I know--not practical for most people. Just an old guy's--er, mature guy's dream!

Can't help you with the noise. But suggest you DO go to the dealer since you're still under warranty. Even if they can't fix it, at least the problem will be on the record--in case it gets worse later.

POR 15 lists a "starter kit" for around $16 plus shipping--which is what I've been planning to get for about a year now!!! Check out their website, interesting stuff including how-to-do-it instructions.

Just a word to the wise--there are about 3 different configurations of those simple little contacts! If you find a source locally, you'd be smart to remove your old ones and carry them in for comparison. If you can't find them at an auto electric shop, try a Subaru dealer--I got mine online from Jason at 1st Subaru Parts. Anyway--good luck and ask questions!

Replacing a starter is relatively easy, but do you really need a new starter? Describe the problem you're having with it. Maybe we can save you some money!

Not quite true. 2.5s have certainly had more than their share of headgasket problems. It's a rarity in the 2.2 however. That's why many of us consider the "bulletproof" 2.2 to be the best engine Subaru ever built!

Gads, I hope there are no Hawaii legislators on this board!

Good info, nipper--thanks. Starting April 1st of this year all gasoline sold in Hawaii had to, by law, contain 10% ethanol. When it was announced, I was quite concerned about how it would affect my engine's running ('95 Legacy L) and milage. Have only been through a couple of tanks full but performance seems fine. Jury is still out on the mpg--just hope there are no unpleasant surprises.

Thanks for following up, cobalt. Somewhere, sometime, someone will benefit from your "research" and solution. And that, to me, is what USMB is all about!

Gnuman, you're such a damned romantic! (And I agree with you 100%.)

Ah, yes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So is ugly I suppose. Ya sees what ya sees!

Would fnlyfnd be wise to run seafoam in the crankcase just before an oil change? Maybe it would help "clean" some of the channels and passageways? I'm no expert here so someone else please chime in. Oh, and cookie--the 2.2s aren't all that old!!!

Will you repeat that in bold print, a97obw, so I can show my wife?

Yes Wayne, try a search--Josh (Legacy 777) did a very thorough writeup on lens cleaning a while back.

Tail-to-tail, nose-to-nose . . . nice graphic presentation, Zapar! Thanks.

Nice explanation OB99W. Thanks.