subynut

Replaced the front main seal, the rear oil separator plate, and the oil pan gasket. I'll be dropping off the valve seals to the machine shop today. Hopefully he can get them done by the end of the week. I'd really like to get her back on the road this weekend.

Over the weekend, I cleaned a corner of the garage for some workspace, pulled the engine out of the PandaWagon and removed the heads. I'm taking the heads down to the engine shop today to have them looked over. Gasket set should be in today. Unless something comes up with the heads, I might have her back on the road by the weekend.

Great pics! and I love your color scheme!

According to the wideband, no. Running right on target of 14.5-14.9 at cruising rpms.

That's where I started. I replaced the thermostat, radiator cap, radiator, and water pump. But none of them solved it.

Drove the PandaWagon to Phoenix to check out ComiCon - still overheating. I had to stop 3 times to let the cooling system cool down enough to burp the air back out of the cooling system and refill it. I'd loose about 3/4 of a gallon in about 20 miles. :eek The radiator cap and thermostat are new. I don't think it's them. To get me home, I did this: It let the air out but didn't let the coolant out. I also did no more than about 68 MPH (3200 RPM) on the interstate and 55 on the state highways. Between the two, I managed to get home without her overheating. From doing some internet searching, it's a head gasket.

The PandaWagon

Took the PandaWagon out for a drive this afternoon. Cooling system is working awesome!

Oh.... it feels GOOD to drive the PandaWagon again!!! New radiator and new rear coilovers and shocks.

Changed the springs out on Wedge. 250 lbs/in Ground Control Coilovers front and rear. Almost neutral feeling. Ride is firm, but not harsh. I'm liking it. The rear is a wee tall, but that's only temporary. I have a set of 08+ WRX rear Konis to put back there which will drop the rear about an inch or so. Just have to repair them.

Wedge out and about:

Dirty Wedge!

Took Wedge RallyX'n Saturday and shook the fan relays to death! Going to see if Napa can find new ones later today.

That's the only thing I miss of the EA82, that sound!

Your Suby reminds me of my first wagon. An '86 GL: That I just could not seem to keep out of the dirt.

:slobber: Beautiful!

Thanks. The mirrors are off an XT (aka Vortex in your country) which were already white. I bet that Touring wagon looked good in green and silver! I've always loved the Touring wagons, but they're so hard to find!

got the PandaWagon on the road again: Gold wheels will be going back on once I have the spare funds to get new tires. In the mean time, I'll rock the WRX wheels. The rear suspension needs to be replaced (while the wagon was down, I put the rear suspension on Wedge) - it's a little sloppy back there. The interior needs to be put back together too, but at least I can drive her to work again.

That black brat is awesome!

Switched back to stock wheels for a while.

Personally, I prefer to back into my parking spots all the time no matter what the weather. I find it makes it easier and safer to get out.

Was messing with the camera settings on the phone the other day:

A couple after giving Wedge a bath:

For the last couple of weeks when the morning temps have been below 40*, Wedge has been exceedingly difficult to get started. Once I'd get him running, the throttle is very mushy and stalls very easily. CEL was on, complaining about the coolant temp sensor. What?!? I replaced that last spring, it should not be bad already. Well, it finally failed above 55*. But this time, the CEL kept flickering on and off and the idle would go up and down as the CEL would flicker. So, determined to find it, I popped the hood and started wiggling wires and well.........I found it: Appears the head shrink got a wee hot and fused the two sides together. When the air temps would drop below 40*, it would short out and the computer would throw a fit. Once the engine bay temp would warm up, it would break contact and all was happy! I pried the two wires apart with a screw driver and rewrapped each side separately with electrical tape. All is happy again! Next time I replace a pigtail, I will offset the joints to prevent this from happening again.