Looking at buying a '88 GL-10. What should I look out for?

[zkk007]

Hi all,

 

I have found a '88 GL-10 turbo 5 speed for sale and going to look at it tomorrow.

 

I'm a DIY wrencher but haven't messed around with an older Subaru before. What are some of the things that I should keep a look out for? What are the things you wished you looked at before buying an 80's Subaru?

 

Any tips are appreciated!

[idosubaru]

clutch wear and condition. 

 

the turbo is the biggest concern more based on age than specific weakness.  not many 30 year old turbo engines with such low price tags have avoided overheating or oil compromising situations.  

the better you feel about it not having many overheating or oiling issues in the past - the better. 

 

otherwise they're good engines with not many major issues. 

 

new timing kit, front end seals, valve cover gaskets and plugs/wires/cap/rotor/airfilter tune up and they were great candidates for a reliable and inexpensive 100,000 miles.

 

they get TOD sometimes but that's benign - you can drive them indefinitely like that and it's generally solved by an oil pump reseal or replacement.  

[zkk007]

clutch wear and condition. 

 

the turbo is the biggest concern more based on age than specific weakness.  not many 30 year old turbo engines with such low price tags have avoided overheating or oil compromising situations.  

the better you feel about it not having many overheating or oiling issues in the past - the better. 

 

otherwise they're good engines with not many major issues. 

 

new timing kit, front end seals, valve cover gaskets and plugs/wires/cap/rotor/airfilter tune up and they were great candidates for a reliable and inexpensive 100,000 miles.

 

they get TOD sometimes but that's benign - you can drive them indefinitely like that and it's generally solved by an oil pump reseal or replacement.  

Thank you sir!

[BratRod]

Have you looked at it, yet? Seems real clean from pictures. I think it's fwd, though.

[rdweninger]

Oil Clean?  Coolant Clean?  Any gunk on/under the oil and radiator cap?  ie., head gasket issues.

Check the back timing belt covers for signs of excessive heat ... will look like it actually melted the plastic.

Windshield leaks - rust and/or water on floor boards.

And 100 other things.

[DaveT]

Plan on going through the entire cooling system, it must be 100%.

 

All of the several hoses, radiator has all fins, not clogged etc.

[scoobiedubie]

Look for a rattle in the cross pipe that runs into the bottom of the Turbo, because they are no longer available new.  Look for white smoke coming from the exhaust that indicates either a cracked turbo or a cracked head.  Look for Gen 3 cylinder heads.  Look for mileage below 150k if the owner was not a mechanic.  Engine should run perfectly smooth otherwise there is a leak somewhere.  Look for synchomesh still working in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gear.  Look for torn CV boots.  Look for a loud exhaust coming from the engine area.  Find out how long since the timing belts were changed, water pump, and cylinder head gaskets.  Find out whether Felpro gaskets were used for both cylinder heads and intake manifold.  Check on hardness of rubber PCV hoses.  Put your hand on top of the ground wire to chassis connection and see if the wire connector burns a hole in your hand, which means you need a new ground wire.  See if the engine still runs smoothly when you have the headlights on because if it is doesn't, this indicates a toasted wire between the hot battery terminal and the fusible link box.