PalouseLeone Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 (edited) After searching for almost a year, my fiance and I got this car in the spring of 2016 for her to use as a commuter during bad snow days. Shortly after purchasing it, we took it to a local mechanic to have it inspected and to address any glaring issues. We ended up putting in new wheel bearings, suspension, flywheel, clutch, axle shaft assembly, and several other things. Before the mechanic was done working on the car, it was stolen off of his lot (left unlocked with keys in the ignition). The kid who stole it couldn't drive a stick and blew the engine about a mile up the road. Other than the blown engine, no other apparent damage was done. They ended up catching the kid who stole it and he was ordered to reimburse the mechanic for the damages. The prosecutor told me the mechanic was responsible for replacing the blown motor. Fast forward more than a year - we just got the car back. The mechanic really dragged his feet finishing the job and gave me a sob story of how he spent $7,000 of his own money fixing the car. Also, when I picked the car up, he sent up some red flags that he may not have fully completed the swap. He said that it didn't have as much power as he thought it would, but "we all know how these old Subaru's are". I took the car for a test drive up the highway and noticed that the car was really lacking power and the turbo light only came on once and only for a second or two. After a brief visual inspection (I'm not the best mechanic), I was able to identify several problems. I have a Chilton coming in the mail and I downloaded the 1989 EA-82 FSM. I have also spent some time searching through the 1987-1996 repair instructions. I am having trouble identifying a couple of hoses and a connector. Any help identifying where these things go would be a huge help. Thanks in advance! There are two loose hoses that I think have to do with the turbo. I cannot figure out where they go. There is an electrical connector that is disconnected. What I think is the "waste gate valve controller" is not connected. The vehicle is leaking what looks like coolant. The front skid plate is missing! Edited October 2, 2017 by PalouseLeone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 love to help but those pics aren't showing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalouseLeone Posted October 2, 2017 Author Share Posted October 2, 2017 love to help but those pics aren't showing up. Thanks for letting me know. I think I fixed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Be very wary about running it with any coolant leak. A 30 year old turbo is going to be a challenge to maintain. Finding anyone who knows them well who is in the repair business is going to be tricky also. I think there are a few turbo guys on here. I'm running a non turbo spfi 87 and a 93,, and intend to for a long while, but I do all my own repairs, and can even make parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 yeah hoses A and B are the wastegate actuator hoses. loose connector looks like knock sensor wastegate linkage is indeed disconnected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalouseLeone Posted October 4, 2017 Author Share Posted October 4, 2017 Be very wary about running it with any coolant leak. Thanks for the advice, it isn't going anywhere until we get the coolant leak and hose situation figured out. yeah hoses A and B are the wastegate actuator hoses. loose connector looks like knock sensor wastegate linkage is indeed disconnected. Awesome, that gives me a good place to start. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 I agree withGloyale on the single pin connector in black being the knock sensor connector but can't see how it is in that position for the photo, maybe series two are wired that way? It should then fit to a green knock sensor just next to the rear pcv breather tube back of the block at the top rear of cyl #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 I reckon we would all love to see copies of receipts worth seven grand on this engine!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalouseLeone Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 I agree withGloyale on the single pin connector in black being the knock sensor connector but can't see how it is in that position for the photo, maybe series two are wired that way? It should then fit to a green knock sensor just next to the rear pcv breather tube back of the block at the top rear of cyl #3 OK, thank you for your help. I got the Chilton repair manual in the mail and your description of the location is much easier to follow compared to the manual. I reckon we would all love to see copies of receipts worth seven grand on this engine!! Here you go. So the car was stolen off his lot while awaiting to have ball joint, clutch, and flywheel replaced. We actually paid for the ball joint, clutch, and flywheel and the installation costs previously, the mechanic shouldn't have left those on the same repair order as the engine. The kid who stole the car was also ordered to pay the mechanic $1,600 in damages. The irony in this situation is that we specifically purchased a turbo with the mindset that it would simplify a future EJ swap. This would have been the perfect opportunity to do it. Several times the mechanic's secretary told me they couldn't find an EA-82T anywhere or that they found one, but it was damaged. Each time the secretary told me they were having troubles, I suggested that the mechanic swap the EA-82T for an EJ, but I never received a positive response. It seems like in the end, swapping in an EJ may have been less expensive and less of a headache for the mechanic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 An ej swap is a totally custom project with a lot of fabrication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 An ej swap is a totally custom project with a lot of fabrication. there is no fabrication involved. Buy an adapter plate and redrilled flywheel. I, and others here on the boad do harness strips. About the on;y "Fabrication" to do an EJ swap is the exhaust. Radiator there are alot of options for fab or bolt in too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Maybe fab was not the best word, but customizing the harness is no small job for someone who hasn't done it. I was guessing that the shop the car was at wasn't a Subaru nodding specialist, so wouldn't know about the adapter plate availability, what radiator, exhaust mods, etc. I doubt a straight repair only shop would touch an El swap kind of project. That's what I was trying to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdweninger Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I am just amazed at the $26.62 per gallon antifreeze. And he billed for 2 gallons! With a 6 quart cooling system, at 50/50 mix, only 3 quarts of antifreeze is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalouseLeone Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 An ej swap is a totally custom project with a lot of fabrication. there is no fabrication involved.... Gloyale - that is the impression I was under. I've been interested in swapping an EJ into an EA since I read about it more than 15 years ago, after throwing a rod in my first '86 GL. This most recent GL was purchased more for nostalgia purposes than practicality. Although we are hoping my fiance can use it as a commuter on heavy snow days, we aren't going to be in a bind if it isn't available. Regardless of whether we ever end up doing an EJ swap, I'm glad we live in the PNW with so many other Subaru enthusiasts and resources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I am just amazed at the $26.62 per gallon antifreeze. And he billed for 2 gallons! With a 6 quart cooling system, at 50/50 mix, only 3 quarts of antifreeze is required. Normal shop pricing. I charge 25 a gallon and that's for pre-mixed with distilled water (I buy in bulk 50 gallon drums). Though I would have charged for 1.5 because they is system capacity. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 That invoice is a horrow show. This "mechanic" knows nothing about Subarus or turbocharged engines obviously from the pictures. I wouldn't trust that thing to make it around the block given the inept way things have been hooked up just on the basic visual you have done. And leaking fluids.... god only knows what's gone on inside the engine. You can definitely spend a PILE of money on an EA82T. I have a customer that's spent well over $20k. And we still haven't done an EJ swap. Frankly they just aren't a viable platform to take to a mechanic anymore unless it's a specialist. I'm sure he did have serious problems finding a good engine. You can't get parts for these anymore. I've bought "the last one in the country" probably a dozen or more times working on EA's in the last few years. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I doubt a straight repair only shop would touch an El swap kind of project. I would happily do a swap project. For alot less than properly rebuilding an EA82t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Well, yeah, if I had a dead turbo, I'd sooner put the work into an ej swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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