mentis Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 Hey Guys, It's been a while... and I'm trying to decide whether it's time to retire the old wagon. It's got quite a bit that it needs, and I'm facing a decision here at some point soon probably. So, let me list what's been going on... 1. Needs new clutch soon. I know how to drive it, so I can hold off a bit longer on this, but it's coming. Paid a guy $500 last year to do it, and he took the money and didn't do the job. 2. Beginning to have starting problems after warmed up. If I drive it and then park (like at the store), it's got trouble starting unless I give it a good bit of gas while starting. Check engine light's come on, but don't know if it's related. Sounds like a fuel delivery issue maybe. 3. The rattling/knocking sound has been getting more frequent. About four or five mechanics keep saying it's a heat shield that's loose but none have found the culprit. Could this be in the engine or transmission? 4. Other random minor things like rear lights not working even after replacing the pigtails. Getting some gas smell inside, possibly from under the hood. Also got a low rumble that changes with speed, and replacing bearings and a knuckle hasn't fixed it. Looking at changing strut assemblies and trans mount, too. So basically there's a lot fix. Probably some other stuff I'm forgetting even. If I have all this done by a mechanic, it's easily going to run over $1000, I know. Some of this I can do myself, but I'm not sure about the clutch. Any advice? If I had lot's of money I obviously wouldn't be thinking about what to do here, but that IS an issue. I can try to do as much work as I can on my own and pay someone else for the hard stuff. Or I can just call it good and try to get a different car. I'd be willing to put in the time to do the work, but my knowledge is limited. Would be nice to have another Subaru fan out here for help . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 Most of that stuff is pretty easy to troubleshoot and fix if you have the time and the inclination. In fact all of it besides the clutch. YOU are going to have to do it though - I say this for several reasons. First the car is quite old and most mechanics are going to have trouble with it simply due to age - they don't see these often anymore and there just isn't the skilled force of technicians for EA82T's that there once was. Second, as you pointed out, it would not be worth the investment of money to have all that stuff done. The clutch is difficult. Think of it this way - you *could* end up doing a clutch on any vehicle you buy (I'm assuming you aren't in the market for a brand new rig). That is simply a maintenance item and besides being a pain in the neck in the case of a turbo..... it's not something you can kill off the car over. I would have to say that if you aren't sure about doing it yourself then you probably shouldn't do it. It is almost universally acknowledged that it is easier to pull the engine for clutch jobs on Subaru's..... with the exception (IMO) of turbo's - the exhaust alone makes for an often maddeningly difficult pull. They are also crammed full of hoses, lines, and plumbing. It would be my preference to pull the tranny for a clutch job on your model.... but that's not easy the first time you do one..... it's not even easy the 10th time. If you rented a transmission jack you would stand a much better chance but it's still a hassle - especially if you don't like working on your back. Also - the EA82T will eventually bite you. It's a craptastic engine and it's lifespan with the maintenance level you are indicating it has received is limited. My suggestion is that you trade up to a gen 1 Legacy (90 to 94 - 93/94 being the choice years). More power, more comfort, MORE (WAY more) reliability, and they are stupendously cheap these days. Rarely commanding over $1000. Then you can sell that rolling time bomb you have. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share Posted July 30, 2009 (edited) Well put... LOL . So yeah, it's got upwards of 215k on it btw. For a good long time it seemed like the engine ran quite well. Now I'm not sure if it's a bunch of other stuff, or if the engine itself is not doing so hot. Hard to tell when everything seems to be about to break down . Thing that I've noticed out here, is that those early '90s Subes you're talking about are hard to find. Coastal NC is slim pickings for these in my experience. Perhaps I'll just keep my eyes open and see if anything comes up. Sigh... Anybody wanna trade!?!? Edit: I'm also considering going with a '90s Volvo or Mercedes. Reason being that I really do need a Wagon which further limits my choices . I suppose the other possibility here is to pay for the clutch job, another $500, and try to do the rest myself. I did manage to finally find a mechanic that's been around long enough to be decent at working on these Subes here in Wilmington, NC. He seems to know his stuff and has been patient with me bringing my old clunkers around . Oh oh... the other day I fixed my alternator for $1!!! LOL... just thought I'd throw that in... Edited July 30, 2009 by mentis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 I did come across a 1993 Impreza Wagon (91K miles, automatic, $1675). The selles is not reporting as anything being wrong with it other than a few minor cosmetic things. Sounds like a great deal, though I'm not big on automatics . What do you guys think, is this worth it if it checks out? Are the Imprezas of that year as good as the Legacys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) i'd retire the GL. the fact that it still runs probably means you can get $500 out of it, you'll probably reach a point very soon when it won't be worth any more than scrap value. take your money and run. EA82T's are a bear to keep reliable that you still have yours is amazing, seriously. and kudo's to GD's description of the clutch change should decide to go insane and actually keep the poor thing. i already commented on impreza's verses legacy's of that era you're talking about. "more reliable" in small ways than the legacy's actually and in my opinion they look gobs better than those first generation leg's. the impreza and legacy wagons are awesome vehicles. i buy them all the time for friends, relatives and college folks that need a cheap reliable vehicle. the price to reliability ratio is just nuts on those things. it's about the easiest and cheapest almost positive 100,000 miles you can buy. of course...to be reliable in my opinion (i drive and travel a lot with zero desire to break down) they need proper maintenance - timing belt kit, water pump, seals, tune up, and fluid changes. basic stuff, all you can do yourself, and all we can help you with. for a little coin you'll have an extremely reliable machine. expand your search area as much as possible and keep looking. the easiest way to get a good deal is to not need one immediately. i've gotten a ton of great deal, scour craigslist, Ebay, and local classifieds and expand that search area as much as you can. Edited August 2, 2009 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 It's been a good car to me I must say. I've had a lot of work done to it over the years, and pretty much figured it was worth spending a few hundred each year. Beats a car payment for sure. I originally got it for $400, and have had a ton of stuff replaced. The engine's always sounded pretty good, and after doing another oil change on it today it's still sounding quite good. It's all the other stuff in the car that's not doing too hot... lol. I feel I can wait on the clutch for a while still. But there may be other serious issues to deal with too, so I am wanting to trade up. Feel sad letting this thing go though... I drove it cross country over 3000 miles when we moved to NC, and the only thing that happened on the way was a little $5 coolant hose busting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 the heat shields probably are heat shields and not something more ominous. they're almost impossible to track down until you just rip them all off. one of the more annoying issues of older cars...heck i see 2000+'s with heat shield problems. the EA82T can be a good car (as you've experienced) if it's never allowed to overheat, the turbo stays in good shape, lots of hoses are replaced and a nose job - timing belt, pulleys, and seals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 Exactly... had to deal with all of that. Had the timing belt done before the big drive actually. The first thing I dealt with for about a year were cooling issues . By the end I think all the hoses got replaced, lol... and the radiator! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 Oh, and btw... I put up a video and separate thread for the rattle issue. Tell me if you think this sounds like a heat shield to you... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=101941 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Soooooo.... I decided to slowly get ready to retire the old wagon . Ended up buying a 93 Legacy this weekend.... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?p=849088#post849088 Maybe someone else will have the desire to keep the old gal running. I know she's still got it in her if all the other crap gets sorted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zukiru Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 too bad... how bad is the clutch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niku-Sama Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 theres still a demand for em, ever since i STOPPED trying to sell mine people have been on me like white on rice to sell it. had some one calling me offering $1000 after i already had it packed up and ready to go. had some one on saturday ask me if i was selling it and i said i'd think about it so it may go any way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentis Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 That would be nice... only thing is that they're not as popular down here for some reason. But hopefully I can at least cover the clutch repair on my newly acquired wagon with the sale . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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