Opinions sought on worrisome symptoms...

[nimrod]

I've almost run out my first tank of gas (excluding the gas that was in the car when I bought it...) in my "new" '87 GL wagon. It's FWD, 5sp, TBI, 90K miles and super clean -- looks like new. So far, in the first couple hundred miles (still on the gas that was in the car when I bought it...) I've had to replace the timing belts (one broke stranding me) and voltage regulator (alternator), so I'm understandably a little paranoid, and now I have two concerns:

1) I'm hearing a clicking from the CV joints, but only at low speed, tight turns, when the car is stone cold, then it goes away. The joints are original, but the boots were replaced at 40K, I think. How long do CV joints last? This is my first front-drive car...

2) Also when the car is cold, I have a pretty severe clutch shuddering pulling away from a stop. This also clears right up when the car warms. Is that normal? I think the car got a new clutch at about 40K, also.

I've always heard that Subarus are reliable, but having been stranded once already (my old Toyota never let me down for 20 years), I am -- like I say -- paranoid. Thanks for your input!

.

[nipper]

You know for an older car, there is nothing to be paranoid about. Nothing lasts for ever withyout maintanence. Everything sounds reasonable. Your just doing maintance that was due or never done.

Timing belt was due between 60-80K (not sure the exact milage right now).

Altenators go bad, just check your battery for winter.

You need cv joints.

Clutch grabbing when cold ....try starting off from a dead stop in third gear. Car should buck kick and stall. If you can do it, your going to need a clutch eventually. Once this is all done you should be good untill the next timing belt interval.

 

 

If the car really makes you paranoid, give it to me

 

 

nipper

[fj401968]

I've almost run out my first tank of gas (excluding the gas that was in the car when I bought it...) in my "new" '87 GL wagon.

 

I concur with Nipper.

 

If it makes you feel better my 'new' '87 GL wagon also had the voltage regulator bite the dust within the first tankful. I'm on my 3rd tank and realizing that I too, need to replace at least one half shaft (CV). Lastly my clutch is extremely weak. If i give it too much throttle, it slips in 2nd-5th gear. I'm debating on whether to do the clutch job myself or just pay the $500 to have it done. $400 is a lot to pay for labor but I can go do some moonlighting and possibly make $400 easier than a clutch job (albeit I'd miss out on the fun). The car also seems to be using some engine coolant. That said, I love the car... a well spent $700.

 

Look on the bright side:

 

A) Alternators couldn't be easier to get to on these cars.

The engines are non-interference so it is not a real issue to drive them until the timing belts break (other than being stranded).

C) The half shafts are really easy to replace.

 

Tracy

[azsubaru]

Neither of these two problems is going to leave you stranded anytime soon. You should do the CV joints yourself, but maybe consider having the clutch done after you've saved up the bucks. Relax - Subaru's are as dependable as anything out there, and the people on this board can help you with just about anything.

[nimrod]

Thanks for the replies you guys. I'm just really spoiled by my Toyota which I drove for 200K and never did any major work. No clutch, never had the head off, etc. Of course, I put alternators, brakes, tires, etc. on it. Glad to hear that the halfshafts are an easy fix: what, they'll get a lot noisier before they explode? The clutch doesn't slip, just has that weird shudder when cold-not sure why that is. The car is in great shape -- was driven by a LOL (little old lady) -- and had regular maintenance: timing belt, CV boots, clutch, but strangely the plugs and dist cap looked original. It's definitely a keeper. Appreciate the feedback....

[fj401968]

Thanks for the replies you guys. I'm just really spoiled by my Toyota which I drove for 200K and never did any major work.

 

I've had really good luck with Toyotas as well. I had a Corolla that refused to die and I still have an old Landcruiser that is my baby. It is as old as me (1968).

 

My wife's Nissan Sentra has sure been a good car. We got it 13 years ago and besides maintenance oriented things (brakes, cap, rotor, plugs and one CV boot), the only that has gone out was the fuel pump.

 

However, I keep coming back to Subarus. They're neat little cars. My current mindset is to try and keep my '87 GL wagon running 'forever'. I love how simple the car is.

 

Tracy

[Ross]

Yes, the CV joints will get much noisier before they explode on you, if the boots are intact they should last a fair while longer if you can stand the noise.

About teh clutch, one i put in a few months back does this when its real cold, maybe because i didn't have the flywheel machined. Anyway, if it clears up when its warm i wouldn't worry about it.

[4x4moose]

the cvs will last you a little bit longer, if the boots are split just try to keep them greased. my cvs have been clicking for the past 3500 miles or so.

[azsubaru]

clutch chatter could be a little oil or grease on the clutch plate, or it could just be old and dried out. Either way, it's irritating but not that serious in the short term.

[nimrod]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I'm just being a baby.

[zyewdall]

The problem with old subaru's is that often they are not well maintained by the previous owner. Actually, its sort of a good sign that they are still worth anything after being neglected so long sometimes. I got a nice '85 that had been a college car -- sold once a year for the previous 6 years or so... Within a week the timing belt broke, and the starter motor had to be replaced. With some decent care, it turned into a good reliable car though. I don't treat my cars well, as far as hauling heavy loads, off roading, etc. But I do keep them well lubed, full of oil, and do the scheduled maintanance, and they hold up extremely well under these conditions.