bowjam

What type of plug is recommended for the 1.8 L ? Ok, it requires the same amount of oil as the 2.2.. I think I have a 5/8 deep socket.. Just had not idea it wasn't a standard size plug. I have a box of BKR6E-11. Assumed they were the replacement plug. Any Idea where I can download a Owner manual ? The "My Subaru" site only goes back to 1997.. Thanks for the info..

Today I tagged and put the Impreza on the road. It seem to do fine so far. No over heating at all. There is still some gunk in the radiator and over flow tank. I hope this is just residue left over from where the car set. I'm going to flush it again until I get it all out. Anyone out there have a 1.8 L engine ? I need to know where to find specs on amount of motor oil engine takes. Also how to change Spark plugs? I can't get a socket to fit into the plug hole.. Thanks again for all the help..

95 Impreza 5 sp. coupe 1.8L Would you know how much oil it takes for a EJ18 ? I put in 4 qts and it looks ok on the oil stick. I know some of the subie engines take >4qts. What kind of socket is used to replace the spark plugs? I've got four 13/16 sockets and none of them will fit in the plug hole. Boy was I surprised.. I also have a 98 legacy with 2.2L and an 01 Legacy with a 2.5L all three engines take the same oil filter.. That's amazing to me. Subaru has got their act together in more than one way.. Thank you

I flush out the coolant several times. Can't tell for sure if oil is getting into coolant or not. Guess I need to put it on the road. I will tag it today and go from there. I thought at one time it migh be throwing coolant out the tail pipe, but once engine warmed up it stopped. I changes oil and filter and let the oil set in the catch pan over night. No water was in bottom of pan. BTW, would you know how much oil it takes for a EJ18 ? I put in 4 qts and it looks ok on the oil stick. Also what kind of socket is used to replace the spark plugs? I've got four 13/16 sockets and none of them will fit in the plug hole. Thanks for your help.

No this a manual shift.. Anyway to know which HG maybe leaking ? I'm not seeing any bubbles just white oil foam in the tank and in top of radiator. If it's the HG than it's a very small leak. How long should I let it idle ? Does the thermostat need to open ? What is the chances of it being a crack block or head ? Maybe from frezzing this winter ? Just guessing... Thanks for your help Nipper.

I had planned on flushing out cooling system and tank and seeing if the oil comes back. I found the complete steering column with a key for $125. Not sure what all that includes. Salvage yard will only sell it in a total package. Shame because all I need is the ignition key assembly and cover. Guess I should feel lucky to find it at all. Don't mind the $125 if I don't have to replace head gaskets.. That got me thinking hard about keeping it. Thanks for your help..

I just purchased a 1995 Impreza 1.8 L coupe with 116 k miles. These is a small amount of white oil foam in the radiator and over flow tank but no bubbles. I'm not sure if someone pored some oil in the over flow tank or if it getting oil into the coolant from the engine. The engine cranks and runs fine. Have drove it very little on the road because I have tagged it yet. What would cause that ? Maybe a head Gasket or cracked block/head ? Is there anyway to test or check 4 sure? By the state inspection stick I would assume the car has been parked for awhile. 09/04 The car has been vandalized and the Ignition key switch and steering column cover has be ripped out of it. What is involved in replacing this? Does the airbag and steering wheel have to be pulled to do the replacement. I have a local salvage yard that has the whole steering assembly for $125. I've got everything electrical working except the wiper washers. Should I try to find the ignition key switch assembly ( total of 5 wires) and cover alone or buy the whole steering wheel assembly ? Need to save a few bucks if I can.. Is the key switch assembly proprietary to just a few years and models or is it pretty much the same in most Subies. Any advice or suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks for the tip... I will keep a close watch on the dip stick.. BTW, I just switch from Valvoline regular to Valvoline Max Life. Hope their ad is not all hype.

Is that to say the newer subaru are not as reliable as the older models ?

If out of Warranty a independent Subie Mechanis is the ticket.. I just can't find one in my town..

I was only trying to point out that both Subie are driven everyday. At 58K on 98 in 8 years it would average out to 20 mile a day 7 day week. I agree I don't burn up the road and I do try to save a little gasoline. I haven't had the seal problems with the Toyotas and they experienced about the same driving profile over last 20 years.

I would never take an out of warranty 86 Toyota truck to any dealership for repair. Too easy to find independent repair shop. I haven't heard of timing chain being replaced in 24R every 100k or even at 200k. I've had my truck for 20 years and I'm expecting it to out last me.. Hope I'm wrong though.. :>) I don't consider a $50 seal to be major either, but the labor is major $$ at a dealership.

Don't you think that's because the engine & drive train last nearly forever ?

No inderpendent Subaru shops that I know of in the small city of Martinsville,VA. We lucky to have a Subaru dealership.. Next closest one is 50 miles away. I worked at a service station in the early 60's when they did everything. Owned a 70 Lotus Europa S2 during the 70's and did all the work on it myself.. I'm right much older now and changing the plugs, oil, and filters in the Subaru is about all I can manage anymore.. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Lotus+Europa+&btnG=Search

I wish I could.. I'm looking but so far I found a mechanic that will do only limited work on the Subies. Any suggestions on how to find Subie Mechanic short of running ad in news paper ? Thanks Fred

With 150 K miles on truck I'm way ahead even if it blows up today. Doubt if I could sell the truck for $2500 and it running great..long bed extra cab..

1998 Subaru legacy wgn 2.2 When Subaru want to replace the timing belt, water pump and crankshaft seal all at the same time at a cost of over $750 I consider it major.

Problem is the head gasket is a warranty repair and is totally under the control of the dealer. This dealer claims it always the left head gasket that leaks. Since the head is off and the repair to be completed tomorrow there is not a lot I can do about it.. Both Subarus are driven everyday to work with is less than 2 miles from home. I change the oil myself every 3k. Did the same with the 85 & 86 Toyota and didn't have dry seal problems. BTW doesn't subaru have a truck (BRAT) with the same 2.5 engine as the cars ? I've even seen the 2.2 in a gyrocopter.. :>) Sorry,I don't understand what difference it makes on head gaskets or seals if the engine is in a truck or car.. No doubt you've had good luck with Subaru. Nipper thanks for your help and suggestions.

Sorry, You got the wires crossed Nipper. The Dealer is replacing the head gasket without pulling the engine and only doing one head. Subaru Customer service suggested pulling engine and doing both heads at once. I also have a 1998 legacy wagon I bought new and it has 58K miles and a leaking front crankshaft seal. I've babied it from day one. It just seems that I'm having some major problems with both my two subarus. I just sold a 1985 Toyota Camry that I purchased new and never had any problems other than a radiator about 3 years ago. I'm still driving a 1986 Toyota truck that I also purchased new. It's doing very good at 150k and has not costing me any money so far other than the normal repairs. brakes, exhaust, filter and oil changes. Given the good service I got from Toyota I was hoping the Subarus would serve me as well. Especially with such low mileage on both can't you see why I'm starting to get mixed feeling about Subaru. BTW Nipper what is the great deal that I'm getting ?

I talked to Subaru Customer Service and was told it was best to pull engine and replace both head gaskets. If there is a flaw in the old head gasket design I would rather replace both at the same time. Oh.. well the repair started today. Dealership agreed to replace timing & power belts for cost of parts. So I jumped on that for $73. Guess I will just have to gamble on the right head gasket not leaking in the middle of a trip 500 miles from home. My number one priority in a vehicle is dependability. I'm starting to get mixed feeling about Subaru..

Suzam Thanks for the reply and your advice. I'm waiting for the dealership to call to take the Subaru in for repair. This is a small dealership and only has one mechanic. I'm still concern about head gasket replacement without pulling the engine. Thank you Bowjam

Last week my 2.5 engine was diagnosed with a coolant leaking left head gasket. I have 57K miles on my 2001 Subaru and this is first problem other than recalls. The needed service is covered by Subaru's warranty by both the WWP-99 and the drive train warranty. My question is should I have anything else replaced while the left head is pulled ? Like oil seals, timing belt, waterpump..ect ? I understand from my dealership that the engine will not be pulled. Although reading the threads it seems that this is the recommend way of doing a head gasket replacement. Any suggestions would be much appreciated..

Frag, I enjoyed your Humor. I would rather laugh at myself that cry.. I won't forget the switch next time thanks to you Rubbing it in..Smile! I appreciate the warm welcoming..

FRAG and Suzam Thank you very much for the reply and help. I've only had the 01 a couple of months. I ran into same problem in the very beginning when I first got the Subaru and figured out it was the switch. My wife came home with the problem and I just totally forgot about the park light switch. With all the head/park light controls the Legacy has what is the purpose of the switch ? Seems kind of redundant to me. I might tape it down in the off position. I would very much like to know how to turn the head lights off other than using the park brakes when driving. Smile ! Sure would be nice to know if the Alternator fails and I need to make it home during the day on the battery. Thanks again and Happy New Year to you both..

Anyone know what might be causing the parklight to stay on? It just happen for first time about 20 mintues ago. So far they are still on.. If they don't go off soon, or if can't find the problem I guess I will unhook the battery. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.