Jensen Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 (edited) I'm in a bit of a tough situation. I have owned a 91 Loyale wagon for the past 5 years. It has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it with only 90,000 km on it and it now has about 235,000. I bought it originally to be a cheep, semi-disposable car. I had been into German tuner cars, and I'd dumped thousands into vehicles over the years that I never got back. So when I bought the little wagon (or shoe as I referred to it) I figured it was the perfect car. Here was a vehicle so lame, so underpowered, that I'd never spend a dime on it. I could abuse it, I could ignore it, and I wouldn't shed a tear the day I had it smushed into a small cube at the wreckers. Well, I did just that, I never had to do much besides oil and filters. Ever. Which started to become amazing. Over the last year the car approached it's timing belt replacement mark, but, swearing that I'd never spend any money on it, I just kept driving it. I was in the process of getting a Mitsubishi Delica so I was going to get rid of it anyway. Why dump any money into it. Finally, while waiting in traffic, my faithful Subaru started to jiggle a bit more than usual. The engine didn't stall or stop, there was no horrible noise. Just a little less power and lot's of shaking. One of the belts finally went. I pulled over, thinking I was going to block traffic and that the second belt would go any second. But it was still idling and I could even move it around fine. I thought what the hell, it'll make for a funny story. So I put on my left turn signal and pulled back into traffic. I got the thing darn near up to highway speed and other than a little roughness, the damn thing kept running fine. I drove that thing about 10 km until I got it back to my work. I called BCAA (AAA) and when the tow truck arrived (a flatbed) I actually drove the damn thing up onto the flatbed! (with a bit of a running start). So my problem is, the government has a vehicle recycling program where you can get $300 to have your old car smushed into a cube. I registered the car, got the address of the dealership, and as I was going through it taking out any old stuff I'd left in the shoe. I had this horrible feeling, like I'm shooting old Yeller. I've never had a problem with getting rid of a BMW, why do I feel attached to my old sh#tbox commuter? I'm really torn about getting rid of it. I'm not sure if I've kicked the bottom end around too much and it'll never run right again, but a new set of belts isn't that expensive. I feel like I made a decision when I chose to drive it running on 2 cylinders. I wanted to see just how tough that little Japanese box really was. It's still running right now in fact! I think I owe it to that little car to take it all the way, so I'm replacing the timing belts and I'm going to see if it's still running fine after that. If it is, I might build a shrine to it (a'la Top Gear Toyota Hilux Diesel) as it will be proven that the Subaru Loyal is truly a piece of engineering genius. If it doesn't live a long happy life after that, it's still the most reliable car I ever owned and never once broke down to the point I couldn't drive it. (if the engine doesn't run I might just replace the whole damn thing and treat it right this time, I'm seriously having a hard time getting rid of this car...) I'll let you guy's know how it turns out either way. Edited July 9, 2010 by Jensen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 you didn't damage anything by running it like that. they are non-interference engines so with new belts it'll fire right up. ebay has timing kits for $60 if you want another 100,000km. the kits have the belt and all the pulleys too, which i always replace as a complete set since the kits are so cheap, it's so easy, and the original pulleys are old and devoid of grease. if you want a lot more miles out of it i'd replace the belts and any wet oil seals/orings, and reseal the oil pump (subaru only on all the seals and orings). it's all right behind the timing belt anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2manetoys Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Welcome to Subaru ownership! I can't speak for anyone else, but I've done about the same as you have to 4 or 5 different Subarus. I'm just beginning to learn how to properly take care of them. In fact, I finally found a 1985 BRAT that I"m in the slow, but steady process of doing a Slight Custom / Restoration on. I've wanted one for 17 years so, I'm determined to do it right this time. Which is why I found this place. Welcome aboard. I'm in a bit of a tough situation. I have owned a 91 Loyale wagon for the past 5 years. It has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it with only 90,000 km on it and it now has about 235,000. I bought it originally to be a cheep, semi-disposable car. I had been into German tuner cars, and I'd dumped thousands into vehicles over the years that I never got back. So when I bought the little wagon (or shoe as I referred to it) I figured it was the perfect car. Here was a vehicle so lame, so underpowered, that I'd never spend a dime on it. I could abuse it, I could ignore it, and I wouldn't shed a tear the day I had it smushed into a small cube at the wreckers. Well, I did just that, I never had to do much besides oil and filters. Ever. Which started to become amazing. Over the last year the car approached it's timing belt replacement mark, but, swearing that I'd never spend any money on it, I just kept driving it. I was in the process of getting a Mitsubishi Delica so I was going to get rid of it anyway. Why dump any money into it. Finally, while waiting in traffic, my faithful Subaru started to jiggle a bit more than usual. The engine didn't stall or stop, there was no horrible noise. Just a little less power and lot's of shaking. One of the belts finally went. I pulled over, thinking I was going to block traffic and that the second belt would go any second. But it was still idling and I could even move it around fine. I thought what the hell, it'll make for a funny story. So I put on my left turn signal and pulled back into traffic. I got the thing darn near up to highway speed and other than a little roughness, the damn thing kept running fine. I drove that thing about 10 km until I got it back to my work. I called BCAA (AAA) and when the tow truck arrived (a flatbed) I actually drove the damn thing up onto the flatbed! (with a bit of a running start). So my problem is, the government has a vehicle recycling program where you can get $300 to have your old car smushed into a cube. I registered the car, got the address of the dealership, and as I was going through it taking out any old stuff I'd left in the shoe. I had this horrible feeling, like I'm shooting old Yeller. I've never had a problem with getting rid of a BMW, why do I feel attached to my old sh#tbox commuter? I'm really torn about getting rid of it. I'm not sure if I've kicked the bottom end around too much and it'll never run right again, but a new set of belts isn't that expensive. I feel like I made a decision when I chose to drive it running on 2 cylinders. I wanted to see just how tough that little Japanese box really was. It's still running right now in fact! I think I owe it to that little car to take it all the way, so I'm replacing the timing belts and I'm going to see if it's still running fine after that. If it is, I might build a shrine to it (a'la Top Gear Toyota Hilux Diesel) as it will be proven that the Subaru Loyal is truly a piece of engineering genius. If it doesn't live a long happy life after that, it's still the most reliable car I ever owned and never once broke down to the point I couldn't drive it. (if the engine doesn't run I might just replace the whole damn thing and treat it right this time, I'm seriously having a hard time getting rid of this car...) I'll let you guy's know how it turns out either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Listen, your preaching to the chior here. We know what your talking about. Most of the people on here did just what you did. Hell i did it to. I figured, ill never drop a dime in this turd. And you know what, my brother never droped a dime in it for 2 years and he got it for free. I put 1500 bucks or so into mine before i retired it to (offroad use) over the course of 4 years. And i didnt even need to do that stuff, it was just stuff i felt it needed at the time. Hell i just changed the oil for the 2nd time in 4 years time. Its the simplicity of it is what gets you. How something so unloved can be loved. Anyways like its been said, if you replace the timeing belts your good to go. I have a commuter car now but i still wish i drove the little wagon. If youve got a 4wd youll love it even more. The most unstopable all weather car you can get for hardly any money. Heres mine. What it started out as. What it is today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 If you are impressed with the EA82 (considered a low-point for Subaru engines by most here including myself), then you will be blown away with the early EJ22's or an EA81. Even the EA82's seem to last near forever despite the timing belt breakage and the ticking lifters..... and the swearing/cursing they get from me when I have to work on one :-\. Probably mostly due to them sharing the same basic bottom end as the EA81's. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo'J Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 I had an ea82 for years and it took me to work in the worst weather and was always the last car on the road (carbed 87'loyale 5spd dr) I've done the timing belts twice on that thing and have always loved it the most (till I got an ea81, 82'wagon with the passing lamp) If you want to get rid of it, do it running. They are so simple, the little things you have to fix, its like a no brainer. You always have to get something fixed on every used car but it seems on subarus you only have to fix it once. (Except my valve adjustment on my 82', oil and radiators, blowing t-belts from overworking my 87 wagon, probably not doing something right on the original install and having my t-belts snap on 20,000, with 3 people and a car full of concrete tools compressor and framing tools to the brim going up a huge hill, but other than that.... Heck the last time I did a t-belt (that t-belt) it took me 4 hours on the road next to a park. (It was the closest safe spot for the tow truck to drop me.) I think thats why we are here, being an on-line, ever changing testimonial to the longevity of the older subaru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensen Posted July 9, 2010 Author Share Posted July 9, 2010 Just ordered a timing belt kit off of e-bay. Somebody earlier posted that I didn't have to worry about the valves, that's not really what I'm concerned about as it's non interference. I'm worried about the bottom end after driving it at highway speeds over a decent distance on only 2 cylinders. It's gotta be hard on the crank bearings with an engine so out of balance running at that RPM (4000, as mine is a crappy 2wd automatic) over that kind of distance. But, we'll see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 good point, i see what you're saying. with such low power and the rigidity of these motors i would be surprised if it caused any issues, should be fine. if you took the car apart now the cylinder walls would still have the factory crosshatching and look fantastic. granted that has nothing to do with the bearings but these motors don't typically exhibit much wear. start going long intervals on oil changes and you'll TOD from the HLA's but even that won't keep the car from running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 (edited) Shouldn't cause any issues. I wouldn't worry about the bottom end. That's the only part that they kept from the EA81's GD Edited July 10, 2010 by GeneralDisorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 agreed. don't sweat it. I've driven more than a few miles with one timing belt. unfortunately the driver's side belt seems more common to fail in my cases....at which point you loose your ignition (distributor driven by driver's side cam). I've said it before. The EA82 is probably the worst motor subaru has ever made (well, the turbo versions anyway), but that says more about how bulletproof ALL subaru engines are, as the EA82 is still a pretty great motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I got my first subaru (legacy) with the intent that I would probably sell it and get something "better" in the next few years. But I've discovered that there isn't anything better, so instead I got a second subaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo'J Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I made a tensioner out of a tube with bolts in it for adjusting the tensioners in the shape of the letter "F". Tape up the threads so nothing gets marred and you are on your way to do t-belts with your own special subaru tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensen Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 Still waiting on my e-bay timing belt kit. Status, shipped... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensen Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 Status ARRIVED! Just started ripin' things apart tonight, got the radiator out and then realized I'd left my puller at work so no dice on the pulleys (that and the wife picked up T-bone steaks for dinner... priorities you know!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgambino Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 this vintage soob is amazing...(my first was an 81 DL EA81) yes, boxy, gutless, hard riding (compared to newer generations)...but what reliability! If subaru could have kept up this kind of reliability and simplicity...they would be more successful than they are now recently picked up a mint 93 loyale with 40,000 miles...only thing missing is 4WD--never thought I would own one of these ever again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensen Posted July 24, 2010 Author Share Posted July 24, 2010 IT LIVES!!!!! (sorta) So everything went in REALLY easily. Apparently you DON'T need a puller to get the pulleys off, they just wiggled off by hand. I bolted everything back in except the radiator which is crumbling and showing some green staining (leaks!). SO I'm going to pick up a new one tomorrow (damn near restoring this car now...) Anyway, I wanted to see if it would turn over so I left the accessory belts off so the water pump wouldn't run and I thought I'd be ok with the car in park.... got a LITTLE bit of an ATF shower on my driveway from the hose that leads into the rad, BUT! the car turned over fine and seemed to run ok. I'll see how well it runs once I get the new rad in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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