New Guy, Terminology and Repair Manual

[BCO]

OK. I just bought my first Subaru to use as a winter rat, but I am already so tickled with it I am now considering a more extensive restoration.

 

91 Loyale wagon 4WD, 5 speed.

The engine number is EA82SAW4A and a 5 vin. What is the signifigance of these numbers? Is this a "good" engine. It shows 138k miles, runs smooth and is not leaking or oozing anything. Any pecularities I should look out for.

 

The car seems relatively simple to work on (for a shadetree mechanic like myself). Can you recommend a good service manual, Haynes, Chilton or some other?

 

Thanks. I am sure I will need some more help in the future.

 

BCO

[mikeshoup]

The important number on your engine is stamped at the front of the block. It says EA82. Its certainly a darn good motor. Tough, durable, and a good workhorse. Doesn't make much power, but will get you around just fine.

 

Being a 91, it will have a SPFI (throttle body fuel injection). At 139k miles, it just finished breaking in. Should last well into 200k if maintained.

 

For service manuals, the Haynes are decent. I really don't like the Chilton's manual that came with my wagon. If you can find one on eBay, get a Factory Service Manual for it. These things are great. A 1988 or 1989 manual should cover everything on your car.

[idosubaru]

your loyale will have the EA82 in it. an excellent motor. not many issues to speak of really. the EA82 motor will run for a very very long time assuming you don't overheat it or run it out of oil. overheating is the common destroyer of this engine, the block, heads and 20 year old gaskets won't hold up long to running hot. usually the head gaskets blow to overheating because the cooling systems are old or poorly maintained.

 

change your oil all the time. very regular. this engine has HLA's (Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters) in it. the good is that the valves never need adjusted like an old honda. but the bad is that if you don't change your oil often the HLA's get dirty and noisey. change it often and they will be nice to you. adding some MMO will help keep them happy too if you suspect dirty innards of your engine.

 

since overheating will cause bad problems very quickly, the best bet is to replace the water pump, thermostat, radiator caps, radiator hoses, check the overflow hose and clamps and make sure the radiator is in pristine condition. that sounds like a long list but it's all really easy with the exception of the water pump. water pump requires removing the timing belts which is really easy on an EA82 as far as timing belts go but isn't nearly as easy as the rest of the list which anyone could do.

 

while you're at the water pump, resealing the oil pump is a good idea as the gasket will fail at some point and cause loud ticking noises of the engine as air gets introduced into the oil supply. it will sound real bad but won't cause any damage. since oil pump and water pump maintenance both require removing the timing belts, it's usually a good idea to do them all at once. it is relatively easy, doesn't take long and the parts are inexpensive.

 

given a good cooling system and assuming you don't run it without oil that motor is good for a very long time.

 

non-interference motor as well, so if the timing belts did break there's no possible damage, just throw on new ones and you're golden.

[daeron]

scroll your browser up to the top of the page.. at the top right there are four links, home, forum, USRM, and photos.. all are FASCINATING, let me tell you, but the USRM is the Ultimate Subaru Repair Manual. also, i believe its mikeshoup who has a partial 1989 factory service manual on pdf on his website.. find him and ask him nicely, and he could give you the URL. i dont have it handy, a search would probably turn it up. anyway, between the USRM, the FSM, and another book called how to keep your subaru alive (HTKYSA) which he also has on that page, you should be A OK. the HTYKSA is a little outdated for our cars, but it can be helpful if you find that the other knowledge bases ive given you are over your head.. if nothing else. they probly wont be, you wouldnt be jumping into this and talking like that if you weren't failry well versed with a wrench already :- )

 

anyhow, in the USRM there is a great procedure for timing belt installs, there are a few tricks so to speak. its NOT 100 percent straightforward.. if you can do your standard twin timing belt job without thinking and try to to a EA82 the same way, you might make an error.. but its easy once youve been shown past the tricky part (its not even really a trick, just a common hanging-up point for ppl who havent done it)

 

but ALSO in the USRM there is a procedure for checking your ECU codes, and the ECU has two test modes.. one will output any codes relating to check engine light, but the other is a diagnostic mode used for dealer checkups.. and shows errors that will not cause a CEL (check engine) you could do this and it might show you need a new O2 sensor, or something equally inane. just a tweak, its easy to do.. there are two diff. connectors, you ID the right one to plug for the test and look at the ECU's blinkylight (its under the dash cover)

 

change your air and fuel filters, and keep reading the USMB, and soon enough you will be able to figure out any (potential) probelsm with your ears :- )

 

j/k, but this is a great community based on a great car, i really didnt like mine that much when i got it (it was super slow, 3 spd auto, yech.. and 2wd :- () but once i found the one decent acceleration curve the thing has, it gets up and goes... plus while its only got 84 or 90 hp (depends on year, i think youre higher) its got like 115 ft-lbs O' torque, so it can move. just not very quickly..

 

good luck, have fun.

 

OH, and BTW... the TOD is the tick of death. it is your hyrdaulic lifters clicking. sounds godawful, but it is NOT your motor about to fly apart on you.. it can come and go, its caused by junk in the lifters making them stick. can be cleaned out, also is a sign of weak oil pump (need new seals, poor pressure/flow of pressure) its just kind of a morbid name given to it. it SOUNDS bad.. but add a little oil, or tweak it somehow, and it should go away.. better to fix problem though.

 

oh yah, and im wordy. blanket apology. my bad