pite0007 Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 I am planning on doing a coolant flush and fill on my 1989 DL station wagon, 1.8L n/a 5-speed 4wd. I was going to replace the thermostat, water outlet gasket, hoses, radiator cap, and water pump. What types of hoses and which water pump do I need? I noticed that there were various available, so that's why I'm asking. I was also going to run a can of a gasket-seal product through the system before refilling it to condition any of the seals - I know I am leaking coolant and am doing this just to try it out. Any other recommendations? Also, I was contemplating replacing the timing belts and various pulleys while I was at it. Which pulleys should be replaced? How difficult are these jobs to do? What types of tools are needed to do so? I have plenty of mechanical aptitude and time to spare, but I have never worked on my Subaru before and don't want to spend the money for a mechanic since my car is just a beater and worth maybe $800. Any advice helps. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 i don't know all the vehicles and options so it would help to know what motor you have. EA81 or EA82? I know GL hatches in 89 had the EA81, but i don't know about the wagon. i would pass on the sealant stuff, probably don't need it. water pump isn't that hard. with the pump and timing belts off you are only a few bolts away from replacing the cam seals, oil pump seals and crank seal. with that done you likely won't need a sealant or conditioner. if it's an EA81 it doesn't have timing belts. if it's an Ea82 it does and im' speaking more about those. find the leaks and address them, rather than using snake-oil. if you can't then that's one thing, but you'll be in for a water pump so lots of seals will be right in front of you begging for replacement! removing the timing belt cover is about the most annoying part of the entire job...the bolts won't come and it's just annoying. i rip mine off. turns it into a 20 minute job! tons of information on the board here about replacing belts, water pump and such. use the search function. when i was looking to replace one of my first EA82 water pumps i searched the forum and found out exactly how to tell which water pump i needed. unfortuntaely i don't recall the details, but it's all right here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyale 2.7 Turbo Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Yes... I just wanna add this: If you change the Timin´ Belts, so I suggest Strongly to Change the Ball Bearin´ on the Tensor Pulley of the Largest Belt. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 one tip that doesnt always make it into the timing belt threads is that, sometimes the knurled nut that is captured inside the rear timing belt cover, trips its plastic carriage loose and spins inside there. when that happens, you have to pry or punch the bolt and nut out of the rear timing cover to get it off. yes, im saying to in a sense destroy the rear timing belt cover. if you opt to put them back on (its a wash, but if you dont think youre going back in there anytime soon, then the compromise is to re attach the cover, using zip ties that snip off instead of bolts that may be intact or not...) Also, go to the top right corner of the screen. four words, side by side.. Home, Forum, USRM, and Photos.. USRM == Ultimate Subaru Repair Manual. browse thru that, its one of your new best friends. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pite0007 Posted September 16, 2006 Author Share Posted September 16, 2006 I have the EA82. I'll have to take a look over all of this stuff and see what I have time for and am going to be able to do. This may be a fall project since I am starting my new job. I say that I wanted to use gasket sealant after I flush and before I fill because I am leaking quite a bit of coolant - the leak is not bad when the heater is on full blast but it leaks when the vehicle is both running or turned off. It looks like the leak is coming somewhere from near the valve cover area, so that is why I am thinking it might be a head gasket. But also it could just be a bad water pump or other seals like mentioned above. It isn't a consistent drip, but I have to fill it up with water every so often depending on how much I drive it. Any other suggestions are appreciated, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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