MR_Loyale

Today UNO caught up to his big brother Ash:

There is a screw driver in the factory supplied kit that is usually in the trunk side compartment. Those screws are a soft metal and can get so they won't stay in. At one time mine got so bad that every other day it would come out because the threads on the screw would wear each time it was tightened down. I finally had to replace it. I think Subaru meant for those to be replaced whenever the rotor was replaced. Why they couldn't make a snap-on style rotor, as US cars had since the 60's is beyond me.

Maybe it was a self destruct switch and he tried it out.

If the AC doesn't have a charge that means there is a leak, an O-Ring or hose perhaps. That leak needs to be fixed and the the system evacuated an shown to be able to hold a vacuum. Harbor Freight sells a manifold kit for this very purpose though it isn't cheap. Once the system holds vacuum and is evacuated (with a vacuum pump ) then you can add the refrigerant. Of course unless you have access to those two tools, you are simply guessing. If you decide to persue this, then you will need a conversion kit to allow your old system to use the new refrigerant as the old freon is an environmental no no and prohibitively expensive anyway (prob about $700 just to fill in today's money. In 2006 i cost me $600 just for that old freon). It sounds as though you have more fundamental issues though as the compressor clutch will not engage. I understand that being in AZ this is important to you. Just telling upfront the costs to be able to thoroughly troubleshoot the system properly. I am sure taking it to a shop would prob run in the many hundreds of $$$ too, but doing it yourself you would have the tools if it broke down again. On mine I had it "fixed" by an "AC shop" in 2006 as I was visiting Eastern Wa in the summer. The place got it working, filled with the original nasty freon at $600 just for the freon. Well when I got home to Western Wa about a month later it all leaked out. I know this because there was a fluorescent dye that marked where it had leaked. In 2013 I fixed the AC determining the leak at the firewall had an O-ring that was not for refrigerant systems and too small as well. For $2.50 I got an assorted pack of proper O-Rings replaced it, vacuum tested it and refilled with the new stuff. There are good videos out there on AC system repair by Scotty Kilmer and Eric The Car Guy. Also you should have either an FSM or Haynes to get you started. Good luck.

It is a green switch so obviously it engages the eco mode and your fuel efficiency doubles. Either that or it is a weed dispenser.

I hope you don't mind me saying my thought out loud. Could the lift have been the final straw that caused this 27 yr old rubber to fail?

Of course the thought occurred to me that maybe someone has already put some seafoam in and it hasn't finished running out yet. That is the only time I have ever seen and EA82 smoke like that.

Daaaaamm! Impressive!

If you need someone to work on your Loyale in the future, skip the dealerships. Most don't want to be bothered with cars this old and often they don't have the experience any way and they are overpriced. You could easily be told that in order to fix your car it will cost many multiples of its value. Look for small independent shops that specialize in Subaru repair is your best bet. Oh and the stealer-ship is wrong. Subaru does have parts for these car still. Not everything, but many. Just go to subaruparts.com and browse by year. Santa Monica Subaru are just a bunch of richie rich snobs. Bad mouth them at every opportunity as they deserve it by the sound of your story.

Just to add the 4wd binds up on tight turns even if you are on gravel or low friction surface. It is the nature of 4wd. Your car is working just fine. Go have a beer!

The smoke could be coming from the automatic transmission. I recall in one of Miles Fox's videos he said something like that on the auto EA82. Rear passenger wheel bearings and fan motor are extremely easy to replace. Napa usually have them if not order via O'Reilly or Autozone online. I have never seen an EA82 that smoked out the tailpipe due to the engine. Not saying it can't happen, but I have never seen it. Is it blue smoke or white smoke? What does it smell like? The question is what do you want out of the car? A cheap easy to fix ride or something that doesn't require any work at all. If you are the type that is willing to get dirty and learn to do things yourself even if you mess up, you can bring this one to a good condition. But you stated "no one will work on it" which indicates to me you probably do not wish to have a project or do your own wrenching. Once brought up to standard and a regular schedule of maintenance, these cars will go to 200K+ easily. I still drive mine after 21 years buying it new in 1994. I personally have no inclination to demonstrate my "status" by my car choices and my little Loyale suits me fine. None of the things you have mentioned seemed fatal to me. Of course I am not sure what would constitute a "fatal" issue other than a totally mangling of the unibody in an accident. With time, patience and hard word it could be restored to a nice reliable vehicle. None of the listed issues is insurmountable. The answer to the question has more to do with you. Do you want to put in the effort? So here are the pros and cons of fixiing your car yourself: Pros - Gain a basic knowledge of the workings of the system (brake, ignition etc) and specifically the Subaru version. - Save $$$ over shop fees. - Meet kindred spirits in the same spot from all over the world right here on USMB - Pride of knowing DIY. - Registration and insurance for older cars is cheaper than newer ones. Cons - You do need some basic tools. Probably about $100 worth to get you started for basics. These will last you forever though. - You need a space to work on the car. If you rent an apt and the landlord forbids it, you need other alternatives. - You are trading your time for $$$. Perhaps you are rich and cannot be bothered. - It is an old car. Even if easy to fix, 20 yr old things break. If you cannot be hassled, sell the car. - Even if you are an oil baron, no one is there to hire. But if you are really really rich though, you could fly someone to your location. In summary the answer depends more on you than anything else. The car is fixable. People here love to help others. On the other hand, being honest that you don't have the time or inclination to do the work required is also a valid choice. Hope this helps.

Yeah I recall that when I was driving through Wyoming last year I stopped in at an O'Reilly's to get an air filter. They had it and the guy said mine was the first Subaru he ever saw.

Yesterday was on the ferry. Arrived in Bremrton and went to start up to offload and only rrrr rrrr rrrr no start. I had to get a jump start. Turns out the pos battery terminal was growing greenies and this created resistance such that the battery did not charge. Got it home and cleaned the terminal with baking soda,wiped, terminal brush and tightened down. No problems today at all. It is embarrassing being the "stuck car" holding the ferry up.

I don't think it is in the US right now is it? Maye this summer. Have any mags done comparison tests yet? At any rate the Ford is ugly as well (as a sports car). Just my opinion only.

I would love to attend this. I got twp Subaru's and a neighbor could probably be convinced to drive one there. But please do let us know more tan 5 days beforehand.

You know it would be extra creative and inventive if somehow you made a junk of old tire rubber work as a replacement. Maybe a Honduran tire monger could be of help? I have heard of such a thing a "rubber welding".

I think the Toyota BMW partnership is another reason the second gen BRZ may not happen as well. It is my impression that Toyota always wanted to make the twins faster. I think the BMW partnership is proof of that. I suspect it has been Subaru that have been dragging their feet because they don't want a WRX competitor. The WRX is getting long in the tooth and even if the twins were never made, Ford is coming out with a competitor, at least on paper. Of course that is ugly too, lol. And I don't see the point of a family sedan/race car. Do we really need baby's strapped in the back while dad sees how fast he can do 0-60mph? Sounds dangerous to me. By the time Subaru comes out with a second gen it may be that no one will care. Right now there are lots of choices for sports cars and muscle cars. The American cars, Challenger, Camaro and Mustang are competitively priced and seem to be on or close to par with build quality at least compared to the twins. Subaru needs to either drop the BRZ and say so or get off their behinds and do a really new generation. A new paint color and slap on body molding won't cut it.

Absorb vibrations? You are probably right, but my red Loyale (ASH) shifter sure as heck vibrates when you accelerate. I bet the rubber has gotten brittle perhaps. At any rate good luck with that. Personally I would just order a replacement online, unless you cannot get things shipped from websites to your place.

The recent sales figures from Subaru in regards to the BRZ don't inspire confidence that a second gen will happen. The BRZ numbers stick out like a sore thumb. While all other models are reporting record historical month over year sales (2014 Feb vs 2015 Feb ) the BRZ sales decreased 45%. And this isn't the first month this has happened. There have been no rumors or spy shots or anything even regarding the 2016 BRZ. I got to think the execs are thinking there isn't a business case for a new gen BRZ. I recall that when it was first out, the dealership didn't know anything about it other than the young punks all wanted one (did I just age myself lol?). Being the greedy bastards they are, they slapped on an extra $3000 to the selling price as a "market adjustment". Today it seems they can't give them away. Oh how the tables have turned. Of course the big complaint is the power. I suppose after being left at the traffic light from a dead stop and being smoked by the mom in a mini van full of screaming brats, consoling yourself with it being a "drivers car" just doesn't cut it. The fact that Consumer Reports rated it so badly doesn't help either. I don't put much stock in CR ratings because I have seen cars they rated badly go on to become high mileage champs, my Loyale being one of them. A lot of times the complaints are minor issues and such. But manufacturers should correct them. Honda got knocked a few years by CR and they went and corrected the issues and are now back on top. They seemed to have listened. I don't see that happening with the BRZ. Maybe Subaru have secret plans I am not aware of? Then of course there is the 800lb Gorilla in the room, the WRX. There are several compelling reasons for a WRX over the BRZ, it goes faster, easily modded for even more power and it will hold its value probably as good or not better than any car out there. Go price a used WRX if you don't believe me. The trouble with the WRX for me personally (cover your ears oh yea followers of the church of WRX), it is UGLY. Yes I said I think the WRX is ugly. Damn fast yes, but ugly ugly ugly ugly ugly and I won't recant! Burn me at the stake if you wish, but I won't recant. The real car I want from Subaru is a BRZ with the innards of the WRX or conversely the WRX with the BRZ styling. It doesn't have to be AWD. I do not want a sedan. I have a nice little Loyale that will outlast me and anything that goes wrong with it I can fix or find out how to fix here on USMB. I want an impractical sports car not a utilitarian sedan that goes fast. That impractical car has to at least go faster than a mini-van. In the end I might just buy the last BRZ ever offered at a closeout model discount. That is kind of how I got my Loyale after all. That would really be kind of cool actually. A tradition if you will.

None. I am a cheap bastard and I don't believe in miracles, from a can or otherwise. I did use radiator stop leak years ago though in a pinch.

Just for fun call up the Subaru dealer and ask them how much it costs. But make sure your heart medicine is nearby first. LOL.

I like the removal method.

I sure hope it is in the bowl (from bowel to bowl, the cycle of life) cuz I'd hate to think of the mess if you missed. Now what was that about your car?

It is the Hollywood stereotype of rednecks. Being true or not is irrelevant.

Gee I feel like such a slacker. Uno (93 FWD Loyale Sedan) is at 178,530. I was going to retire him at 200K and collect the 200K+ badge, but I just checked and they added a 300K+ badge. I am going to have to plan a few more circles around the country to be considered a "real" Subie driver. BUT, I can say I am the original owner, every mile is mine. My father never owned it before me, it has always been in my name and I made every payment on it. Can anyone else claim that?