Olnick

Yup, that's a really . . . interesting idea! I second what bratman said. Get a couple of 4X4s (or doubled 2X4s) and wedge them between floor and rafter on both sides of the car. Or, set up a video camera just outside the garage and push "record" then go start lifting . . . ! Hey, good luck.

Do you have any idea of the car's history? How long have you owned it? Any maintenance or repair bills in the car? You've already done some good things--air/fuel filters, plugs & wires (hope you used Subaru OEM wires). I'd check vacuum lines carefully, replace the PCV and clean the connecting hose, clean the MAF sensor and the electrical connector contacts, remove and clean the IACV, might even replace the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (the one that communicates with the ECU). Maybe replace O2 sensors if you don't know long they've been in there. By the way, any record of timing belt changes? Should've been done at 105k I believe. Don't get discouraged--it's all do-able! Just some thoughts. Good luck.

Hmmm, your friendly neighborhood Lamborghini shop! Might want to call him first before you go to all the trouble of packing up your Subie. As far as the burnt coil contact-- a short? Accidental grounding while the engine was running? Hopefully someone with more electrical knowlege will chime in here.

How handy are you, kwkslvr?!! From your discoveries in the air filter box and the coil, sounds like you found the problem--poor maintenance by the previous owner. What EVO suggested is a good start. With a bit of research, a Haynes manual and asking questions here you can probably solve the problems yourself. Next best thing would be to find a small, independent shop--one that specializes in Subarus if possible, or at least foreign/Japanese cars in general. See what they think, get an estimate and decide if you're comfortable with them. For me going to a dealership is a last--and usually most expensive--resort. Good luck.

The 44/40.5 count is for the EJ22. Seems like this was talked about recently--try a search. Good luck.

Overwhelmed yet, rpeterse? j/k--these are all excellent questions and suggestions. Please feel free to ask questions. Good luck.

If there is power to the pump do you hear it running?

By that do you mean the pump is still not running?

If 100k is what your manual says, then you're not mistaken. Earlier EJ engines were rated at 60k (except in California--guess they're better than the rest of us!)

Personally I wouldn't touch the HGs if there's no obvious problem--especially if you might only keep the car a couple of years. Hey, if it ain't broke . . . ! Don't know what to tell you about going to synthetic. I love the stuff. Switched my '95 Legacy over at about 85k, it had the original cam and crank seals and I never had a problem. I upgraded the seals 30k later while doing the TB but not because of any leaking problem. Good luck.

Look at the bright side, Gloyale. Tomorrow will probably be better. (I hope!)

All I can offer is . . . it works! Just be sure you use a Subaru OEM thermostat.

It's basically an uneven, unsmooth transfer of power to the rear wheels. The problem is in a clutch mechanism in the tail housing behind the transmission, sometimes bad enough to wear grooves in the clutch plates. Best test is to find a big paved area. From a stop, crank your wheels hard to one side, then put it in drive and let the car idle forward. Try the same thing to the other side. Then the same thing in reverse. If you get jumpiness, shuddering, wheel hop--that's torque bind. Sometimes an ATF flush-and-fill or a series of drain-and-fills will alleviate the problem. Some have taken that clutch apart and ground the grooves smooth. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chine in here.

Welcome aboard, imprezaII. Well, you've already learned a lot--like don't trust that dealer you called for information! '96 was the last year the EJ22 engine was still non-interference, which is what I assume you mean by "free wheeling." If the timing belt breaks it should not cause internal engine damage. Relieved?!!

Not to be dark and gloomy, but you nailed it with "supposedly." Do you know any of the car's history? How much do you trust the seller and their story? Hey, it's a good old "bulletproof" EJ22 engine--chances are good that you'll be just fine. But there is always the possibility of a bad head gasket or messed up radiator/cooling system. Oh, and be sure DH used a Subaru OEM thermostat. Any signs of oil leakage up front? It's a great time to reseal the oil pump and replace o-rings and cam/crank seals while it's opened up. Good luck. Keep us posted/ask questions.

You must compress the tensioner to properly install a timing belt. Frankly I don't think vertical or horizontal makes a bit of difference. I use a c-clamp. Just don't rush it, go slow--I think they say at least 3 minutes. Have you searched here on the board? There's tons of excellent info available. Here's some pix: http://www.lovehorsepower.com/SubaruDocs/TimingWaterPump.htm Good luck.

Oh uniberp, you're so cold. And logical. And right.

Congrats! Sounds like you've got a good handle on what needs to be done. Check out the brake pads, sliders and rotors--they might be contributing to that "noise." Yeah, I hate shiny dashes too. Wash it off well with soapy water (Simple Green?) then when it's dry, wipe it down with a light coat of pure silicone. Spray it on the rag not on the dash itself. Gives a nice sheen and I've never had it go "white" on me. Good luck and happy pimping!

Ain't that a great feeling?!! Hope it helped with your shifting too. Thanks for posting the resolution.

What stage is DH at right now? Are you trying to refurbish/reseal the front end or just slap it back together? While it's opened up would be a great time to replace timing belt and idlers, perhaps the tensioner, new cam and crank seals, cam o-rings, oil pump reseal, water pump, thermostat, hoses. Here are some good pix of front end: http://www.lovehorsepower.com/SubaruDocs/TimingWaterPump.htm Lots of good notes and hints here on USMB--search "timing belt." The Endwrench article on 2.2 timing belt changes is very good. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=98684&highlight=timing+belt+endwrench For the crank bolt I'd be tempted to try an auto salvage yard/PAP. For the timing belt cover "gaskets" you'll probably have to go Subaru OEM. Good luck.

Thanks Legacy777. People are really nice about it, they just need a little help to the right place.

Hi kelly, welcome aboard. Where to post depends on what model car you have. All Subarus with the EJ series of engines--basically everything from the 1990 Legacy on (with the exception of the Loyale) is in the "New Generation" forum. Cars with EA engines, which includes the Loyale, are considered "Old Generation." But don't worry--if you get in the wrong place some nice person will point you to the right one!

Gloyale makes a good point. Is your smeller accurate enough to narrow it down to the front timing belt covers/crank pulley area? Good luck.

When you got back did you walk around the car and count the number of wheels? (There should be 4.) j/k

Some of us swear by Redline 75W-90ns. You might want to give it a shot. Try a search on here--it's been talked about a lot over the years. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78245&highlight=redline+90ns