Olnick

Welcome to the USMB! You started with a great Subaru (yeah, yeah--I'm partial to '95 Legacy EJ22s!) Valve cover gaskets are pretty easy to replace. BTW, no spark plug buckets, just 3 grommet-like washers for the hold down bolts. Since you have to go into the front end to solve the oil leak problem definitely replace the cam and crank seals with Subaru OEM parts. Replace the cam shaft o-rings too--front left (drivers side) and rear right (passengers side). Take the oil pump off and check the backing plate screws, sometimes they will loosen. Loctite and tighten down. You can check the oil passage hole for size (but I've never heard of anyone having to drill it out larger!) New o-ring and re-seal the pump to the block. If the timing belt has been oil soaked you might want to replace it while you're in there. The play in the shifter means you need to replace bushings in the linkage, a pain-in-the-butt job but well worth the effort! Use the search function here on USMB and you'll find tons of help on all these jobs. Good luck--and take good care of that lovely little engine!

Congratulations! Keep us up on how it goes from here.

You should be able to find the contacts at an auto electric shop (starter/alternator rebuilder) or at a Subaru dealership. Maybe even Toyota, I believe they used the same starter too. Suggest you remove your old ones and take with you to visually compare--there are several different designs. Here's an old thread that has some good pix: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=58142&highlight=starter+contacts Good luck.

Did the solenoid throw when the key was turned to "start" or did it throw after you tapped the starter? If it worked with the key, then the problem could be simply worn, pitted copper contacts. That's a relatively cheap and easy fix.

No need to drop the tank. There's an access plate on top of the tank, you get to it from behind the rear seat.

That's great to hear--and thanks for the update. The EJ22 is a beautiful little hunk of aluminum. Just a bit of preventive maintenance every now and then and you should have many miles of happy motoring. Enjoy!

So what's the problem with your present starter?

Figures, huh!!! The California/OBD1 stickers appear to be add-ons to the standard certification sticker. Most likely so the cars will be tested according to OBD1 standards/procedures. Proof would be if the ebay seller would check to see if there is an OBD2 port on the dash. (I'll bet there is.)

Excellent theory hankosolder! I seem to recall reading something about the "readiness" monitor problem. Anyone out there with a California '96 who can verify the underhood add-on sticker?

Ain't that a great feeling? Congrats--and thanks for saving another Subie.

This might help you, it sure helped me! http://www.scoobymods.com/legacy_hvac_bulb_replacement-t91.html?threadid=91 Follow the suggestion later in the thread about disconnecting the cable at the bottom--much, much easier. Good luck.

Something sounds fishy here. Subarus adopted OBD2 with the '95 model year. Is it possible for you to go see the car yourself? Or if not, ask the seller for a photo of the car and maybe a closeup photo of the sticker that states that it is OBD1?

Does your shifter have a lot of "slop?" It could be worn out bushings in the linkage--especially the boss joint where the linkage connects to the tranny stub-out. Good luck.

Boot = trunk. (The other end from the bonnet.)

'95 Legacies are OBDII.

Welcome echoecho . . . echo! Can't help you with your questions but I'm sure others are gonna' enjoy making input. Sounds like a great project. Good luck and keep us posted.

And Hi to you! Welcome aboard USMB--lotsa' good stuff here.

Pull the codes again and post them here (the code numbers, not a verbal description.)

I drive a '95 Leagacy too, although with manual tranny. I think the Bosch O2 is fine (although others on here will say it must be Subaru OEM!) Knock sensor is probably best from dealer. And I second what fairtax said, a general tuneup would be a good idea. Spark plugs and wires, new filters, PCV valve (and clean the hose), check vacuum hoses. Maybe even try a Seafoam treatment, clean MAF sensor and IACV. That 2.2 is a beautiful little engine--sounds like you're off to a good start. Good luck.

Just curious, but what is in a "top end kit?" Does it include the head gaskets? Are they aftermarket? Not sure I'd use anything but Subaru OEM for the HGs. Anyway, good luck with the project.

That's great! And that is an excellent diagram. By the way, TiC supplied my pivot joint bushing, an excellent product. Now comes the fun part--trying to drive the roll pins out of the boss joint! Good luck.

Welcome aboard USMB, hustle. Dealer should be able to get what you need (if not, call Jason at Mike Scarff Subaru 866-528-5282). Subaru changed the linkage design over the years so be sure to tell them it's for a '91 Legacy. There are several different bushings used in the shifter system--2 large ones used to attach the stabilizer rod to the tranny and the car body, a small tubular one that connects the shift lever with the control rod and 2 in the boss joint (the universal type joint that attaches the control rod to the tranny stub-out.) It's the last two that usually go bad and cause sloppiness. If you want to learn more, use the search function up top--type in "shifter bushing", select New Generation forum and hit enter. Lots of discussion of the topic over the years. Good luck.

Gosh, porc . . . sure would be nice to see a picture of it!!! (j/k, congrats.)

Re: plugs, general feeling is that NGK is best for our cars. I've had good experience with the most basic copper (V-Power) plugs, but then my car is much older than yours if that makes a difference. Also, consider changing your plug wires--OEM Subaru only. Good luck.

Congrats, that's great! Did it wire in/plug in okay?