skybren Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Hello, I have a chance of getting a 89 subaru wagon awd auto with turbo. My question is that everytime I see a turbo listed for sale most of the time they have blown head gaskets or over heated. Is it bad mojo to get a turbo. I would like to get a replacement turbo engine but am I looking at a problem engine should I look for a legacy turbo instead. I like the loyal and it it clean. Can someone help me. ALso any good sub mechanics in portland are if I find out the turbo is the way to go, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Get a legacy turbo if you can... The EA82 Turbos can be reliable if the cooling system is well maintained. Unfortunately, most 20 year old Subarus are still running around with the factory radiator. As long as they don't overheat, your head gaskets should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 If you like the car, and know how to take care of cars, and you are willing to almost immediately replace the radiator just to be cautious.. and you don't see it as TOO much of a problem to just take the car, and change the timing belts, water pump, seals, oil pump seals, intake, exhaust, and head gaskets JUST as a precautionary measure with you X00,000 mile old 80's jap turbo engine... .. then you should buy it. its a great car that in stock form can be easily maintained, and run well. Do not expect it to be problem-free, but it IS a fairly simple car. ALL the bad juju was mentioned above. Don't be thinking you can make it a beast, though.... there is a current thread titled "Poll: long-lived EA-82 turbos" or something like that. Read that whole thread. and honestly, despite the MOUTHFUL that I said in my opening paragraph.. it REALLY is NOT that major a job to do. anyone who can turn a wrench should be able to do it in under a week, and im sure there are people here who could accomplish it in a (very very full) day, or two fairly easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospeeder Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 I would just replace the radiator, waterpump, timing belts, and possible reseal the oil pump if the lifters are making lots of noise. I wouldnt worry about headgaskets unless its gobbling coolant and burning it or overheating badly for no reason. Also make sure that Slushbox automatic isnt eating up its governor gear and not shifting and stuff, iv read those transmissions are not the most reliable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Also make sure that Slushbox automatic isnt eating up its governor gear and not shifting and stuff, iv read those transmissions are not the most reliable Being an 89 AWD, its not going to have a governor gear. Its a 4 speed electronically governed transmission. Way more reliable than the old 3AT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospeeder Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 oh i forgot that they switched to the 4EAT then for the turbos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicfrog Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 I say BUY IT and if nothing else, replace the radiator with a dual core rad. You won't regret it. It would be wise to swap out the timing belts, if the haven't been replaced in the last 60,000 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in KY Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Bought a used one a few years ago. Drove it hard and put 100k more miles on it. Sold it and it ran for another 2 years before the new owner's grandchildren tore out the front differential. Never had a HG failure. And the boost was turned up to 14 pounds. IMO this engine fails when the radiator gets old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 yah, I will follow up all my "warnings" by saying I have never owned one, just read alot of posts on this forum.. and to add that personally, *I* would never hesitate to buy one of these in good running condition. It is simply a matter of keeping it in that good running condition. I wonder if the original poster is even still reading this, though.. no telling, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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