I think I bought a Lemon :( Help!

[Rodm21]

Well I think I may have done exactly what I didnt want to do, and now im stuck between a rock and a hard place.. that is putting it nicely. If you are tired of noobs like me coming around for advice, I'd quit reading now. But I dont really know where else to go, and you guys have always been so helpful, if you wanna read a long story with a sad ending, read on.

 

I purchased my 88' GL wagon in portland about a month ago, I was semi-forced into it because I only bought a one way plane ticket (planned on driving a new car home) and I had been there living at my brothers house for a few days and thought at the time this red wagon would get me back to Idaho. It turns out this "88" actually has an 87 engine in it, or at least I think it does, all I know is that it is a Carbed 1.8L with who knows how many miles on it. The body has 187xxx on it and the more I think about it, kinda shows. Overall the body is in great shape, no real rust to speak of, and no dents. I drove the car home from portland (400ish miles) Ran fine, I mean didnt have much power, but hey its a little four so I expected that.

 

I paid 900 for the car, once I got home, I changed the oil/rotor/cap/plugs/wires so add on 50 bucks for that, I changed the fuel filter and started driving it, I quickly noticed that it stutters really badly from about 1300-1900 rpms when you start up from a complete stop, 10x as bad when its cold.. as it warms up it slowly seems to go away. After I drove it for a week or so, I noticed a high pitched squeeling noise which I was told was either belts or the water pump, and the squeeling noise only occured when the car was warmed up, so I figured water pump. So it was a sweet catch 22, it stutters badly when its cold, and squeels like a pig when its warm. However after a day or two , that noise went away, so I have not replaced the water pump and actually breathed a sigh of relief. All that aside, a few days ago (3 weeks after buying it) I started to notice a rattle that seemed to come from the power steering pump... but today as I was looking into it I took off the d belt and started up the car. The noise continued. It sounded alot like a screw or something banging around in the timing belt chamber on the pass. side.. I turned the car off and on a few times to get a better listen and the last time I did It just sputtered out and sounded like total hell, as if a vaccum hose fell off or something, Im assuming this is when that rock or god knows what was in the timing belt area just knocked the belt off, or got stuck in the belt or who knows.. now im afraid to start up anymore but it is my only means of transportation at the moment so im in a real pinch..

 

To add to the mess I crawled under the thing and found that the whole timing belt caseing is falling apart, it has a huge hole on the under-side and on top of ALL of that, right next to where the exhaust pipe bolts onto the engine, there is a whole the size of a penny, there is a hole in the engine...and while it did run it got about 19mpg..

 

As you can see.. for a noob with subarus im really up ************ creek, so I came here to see what you would all do. I was going to take it to a mechanic but I really dont want to drive it, it sounds like its firing on 2 cyls at best.. I have a feeling I just wasted a nice $1000.. I guess at least I know what subaru to look for next time..

 

So what im asking is what would you all do in this situation. I dont really have a garage I can do any mechanic work in, and on top of that, im kind of an idiot when it comes to mechanicing anyway. My delema is if I should pay to tow it to the mechanic and see whats wrong with it, or just try to sell it/ part it out and start saving for a new car, while riding the bus to school... Any advice is appreciated, sorry for the long post. I figured if I got as much info to you guys it would be easier to help.

 

-Drew

[Cougar]

If the rest of the things are working ok and you like the car it might be good to put another engine in it. If your not that hot on the car then it may be best to sell it as is and hope you can get 4 to 5 hundred for it and put that money towards another car.

[555Ron]

Well, if the timing covers are crap, they won't do anything... and they don't do much anyway. Take them off now, assess the belts. It may have broken one of them. Leave them off too, you don't really need them.

[Flowmastered87GL]

so.... you have an 88 (spfi) car with an 87 (carbed engine?)

 

I'm sure the fuel system is confused in all sorts of ways!

 

I have rebuilt many of these cars, but unfortunately dont know the particulars of what could be causing your problems. If it really IS an 88 personally I would say revert EVERYTHING back to 1988 stock form... fuel injection and all and I bet most problems will go away regarding power and drivablility.

[[HTi]Johnson]

Hey man, don't sweat and don't take it to a mechanic. You can probably do all the work yourself.

As for that noise in the timing cover area...i'd say it was your idler pulley falling off(coming un bolted) and that caused the belt to pop off. There are two belts (one for each cam gear). Just pop the outter covers off and see if the belts are on each gear. And Inspect them. Believe me, belt replacement is not that hard.

Oh, if your belt breaks or anything of that nature, nothing will happen to the engine...AKA your valves won't hit the piston...you just won't have a running car until the belts are replaced.

That hole, right next to the exhaust port...my car has one too...I believe it is just a casting design...

The squeaking....take the belt off the water pump, and move the pump pulley up and down..and in and out..if it moves more than a fraction of a millimeter...i'd say it's in need of replacement.

I hope this helps and don't get discouraged by this. Once you get it running, you will have yourself a very reliable car.

[HTi]Johnson

[northguy]

... then make lemonade. There are a lot of things you can do with your car. You're not out anything by a long ways. Read up on mods you're interested in, grab a wrench and go for it. You'll end up with a decent rig for under 2 grand. Hard to beat that.

[pyromanic]

Yes, what they have all said. That hole is supposed to be there. Casting strangeness. The first time I saw it I freaked. Then I got another EA82 and it has the same hole!

 

You have not described one thing that would positively indicate a "blown" moltor. I think you have several minor problems, as described by others.

 

It seems like your worst problem is the lack of a place to work on the car. Is that problem insurmountable? Are you sure?

 

If you can figure that one out, and can become willing take the time to sort out your Soobs problems, you'll problably wind up with a GREAT vehicle, for WAY less than a new car.

 

You obviously have internet/computor axcess, so that is going to be your saving grace, IF you can hang in there and find the time and the space to work on this neat car your self. The experts here will bend over backwards to help you learn what you need to learn. (I'm no expert, but like to help when I can)

 

How ever, IF it's true that you have no where to work on it, and can not create that space somehow, then,----------uh, yup, it's the proverbial tributary and means of locomotion cliche. hehe!

 

I think this is one of the more important points to consider while you are making your discisions about this car: They are way more easier to work on and uncomplicated than modern vehicles and many of similar age.

 

Best of luck,

Pyro

[MilesFox]

check to see if any of the timing belts are broken. perhaps you broke the passenger side, as this will run on 2 cyl. the car will not run at all if the driver side breaks

 

the squealing may have ben a bad tensioner pulley, and if it locked up it would burn up the belt

 

is the carb original, does it look like its all hooked up? maybe the car is a late 87 on the body but is considered 88 for registration

[KStretch55]

Rod,

 

When you start looking for parts in the local area, Bow Wow is a good source for new/rebuilt stuff and Jalopy Jungle in Nampa is a good JY for Soobies.

 

I agree with most of the others, sounds like you've got a combination of some relatively minor stuff. Hang in there.

 

Stretch

[erik litchy]

im working on my car without a garage, basically on a parling lot like in front of a mall really. I cant say how mutch i want a garage to work in though, but its possible. you can take it to a mechanic and get a quote of course, and they may tell you what it needs to be fixed.