nevadabob Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 I just bought an 84 gl wagon for my kids to use... its a 4 speed.... I'm beginning my checklist of things to inspect.... car is leaker and oil pressure runs a bit eratic.... while driving it can be as high as 70 and then as low as 30 (that is what I noticed during a highway drive home)... doesn't jump around quickly but the gauge does move from one extreme to the other.... engine seems sound, doesn't like long hills (hell what 4 cyl does), but will hold 55 up the hill if you gear down.... are there things that I should look for that this year was known for??? car certainly seems pretty sound for its age and miles..... thanks for the help, new to the group and subarus..... regards, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Hey Nevadabob. Welcome to the board. I see your from Reno, NJ? I'm a bit confused, but if you are from Reno, NV I'm your neighbor. I also have a 84 wagon. My oil pressure runs from 50-70. It's normal for these engines. Your leaking oil can be from your oil pump, front seal, oil pan and valve covers. Those are the most prone spots for leakage. I replaced everything I mentioned and I don't leak a drop anymore. Hills are hard on these little ea81 motors. I can hold 60 up some of the steeper hills. You might wanna do a quick tune up. If you have any more questions about your subie let me know. Or have any problems I'm great with tools. Here is a pic of my rig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4moose Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 welcome to the board. my oil pressure does the same thing it will be down at like 25 then to 70. but it does take its time to move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Hi Bob, The symptoms you describe are quite normal..you might want to take your car and spray the engine off at one of those coin operated carwashes (take the spare out). Mine has some seepage around the oil pump and valve covers, but not enough of a leak to drip to the ground. These little engines are gutless as heck (no pun intended Jeremy), but don't mind running at high RPM up long hills. I run up Spooner almost daily in 3rd gear all the way from the NDOT turnout at the bottom, 4500~5000 RPM. Just keep the oil full and clean, you'll be OK. BTW, welcome aboard . Here's my rig: http://usmb.net/gallery/Subiemans-WCSS-Photos/PICT0681_Medium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevadabob Posted November 1, 2005 Author Share Posted November 1, 2005 Thanks for the info....yeah it's NV... I live out in Rancho haven.... glad (in a way) to see the oil pressure fluctuations are considered normal.... my son and I took a can of briteclean to the engine yesterday and cut down the first layer of oil/DG sludge under the car.....still plenty there but I got a pretty good look at the oil pan/pump region of the engine.... I'd say that certainly looks like the most suspect area, in fact a couple of the oil pan bolts were a little loose, I had a philips handy at the moment (that was a surprise to have hex bolts w/ philips insets) and several bolts took an 1/8 to 1/4 turn..... lots of new discoveries to be made working on one of these cars.... nice to see that they built a brush/rock pan in to protect the bottom of the engine.... wish my Jeep had that not that it gets out in the desert much.... doesn't seem to like hills much, held third at 4K RPM's pretty steady through the climb, 4th just bogged down long before the top.....I think that it should prove to be a good reliable vehicle....looks like the prior owner did a recent tune up, so it may get thru smog w/o extra work..... thanks again for the quick response, site looks like a wealth of knowledge for plenty of issues..... regards, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 The motor in your car is a EA81. This motor is one of the most reliable motors Subaru ever made. Very easy to keep running. No worries of timing belts or any electronic gadget. I've had EA82's EJ's and my EA81 has out lasted them all. How many miles do you have on it? NVZeno has just about 300k and I have 178k. Yeah I run 3rd gear up hills, don't worry about running these little engine at 5,000 rpm all day. They can take it. I'm right over the hill from you in Cold Springs. Now I know what hills your talking about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevadabob Posted November 1, 2005 Author Share Posted November 1, 2005 it has 268K+..... nice little car, fairly clean inside, faded silver outside..... tires are good and the brakes are fair as the song goes.... sure hope it goes thru smog w/o much issues..... exhaust smells pretty clean and all of the vacuum stuff seems to be there.... I do need the air tube from the exhaust to the air cleaner (that should be a Kragen piece).... I did notice when we were checking for tune up parts that there was oil inside the air cleaner housing....I thought that was strange, EGR stuck maybe??? I usually buy Haynes for manuals (Chiltons tend not to say as much) any better recommendations???? regards, Bob The motor in your car is a EA81. This motor is one of the most reliable motors Subaru ever made. Very easy to keep running. No worries of timing belts or any electronic gadget. I've had EA82's EJ's and my EA81 has out lasted them all. How many miles do you have on it? NVZeno has just about 300k and I have 178k. Yeah I run 3rd gear up hills, don't worry about running these little engine at 5,000 rpm all day. They can take it. I'm right over the hill from you in Cold Springs. Now I know what hills your talking about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Oil in the air filter might be bad PCV components. Tips for smog... do a complete tune-up (plugs, wires, oil, timing) if it hasnt been done in a while. Also, before you take the car to the smog shop take it for a nice 45min-1hr drive. Get the engine nice and warm and the exhaust real hot. The catalytic converters work their best the hotter they are, and a cold cat. could mean the difference between pass/fail. Welcome to the board. Im not too far away, and i try to make it up to reno as much as possible. I think we're trying for a meet next monday. Jibs is organizing it i think. -Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 I think "Independent Automotive (Subaru specialists)", on Bergin Way in Sparks does emissions testing. They're great guys, and can offer advice/suggestions to pass the test. The "air tube" you type of is plentiful and cheap at your local Pick N Pull in Sparks..perfect fit. I've tried those from Kragens and the others, none seemed to fit right. Just look around for EA81s at PnP. You'll find a good one, can see how it attaches and how it's routed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I agree with Dave. The Kragen air pipes are never long enough, or never the right diameter. -Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I agree with Dave. The Kragen air pipes are never long enough, or never the right diameter. -Brian Under the hood it says to use a genuine Subaru pre heater hose. All others could cause a fire. I don't even run them on my cars. I see no need. Are they still available at the dealer. If so, I might even go get one. Iv never noticed any at pnp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 In your climate there is no need for it. Maybe in the winter when there is snow on the ground. But for visual purposes that smog tech has to see it there. When i took my wagon for its last test I passed the hot pipe, but failed the inspection because I had cut a hole in the filter lid. To help it breath alittle better, but it was considered a modified intake, and i Had to get a completely stock lid. -Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 In your climate there is no need for it. Maybe in the winter when there is snow on the ground. But for visual purposes that smog tech has to see it there. When i took my wagon for its last test I passed the hot pipe, but failed the inspection because I had cut a hole in the filter lid. To help it breath alittle better, but it was considered a modified intake, and i Had to get a completely stock lid. -Brian My climate when it's 0-10 degrees in the morning? HA It's cold up here Brian! I live in COLD Springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevadabob Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 thanks for all of the good feedback..... yeah I have a pretty good list for PnP parts for minor parts on a few of my vehicles.....gotta get over before the weather turns bad.... funny how the definition of bad weather is so much different in Reno than back east in new england or the mid atlantic.... been spoiled in eight years.... does that sparks subaru shop charge an arm and leg if the carb needs to be tweaked to meet smog???? some of the Reno smogs I've been to can really leave a mark when it comes to tweaking fees for smog tests.... my youngest has been driving to and from the bus stop for a few days now, he's crazy about the car already... I'm glad because he had his eyes on my 240z project up till now....this should be a lot calmer on the nerves for him to drive.... thanks again.... regards, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Hey Bob.. Wait til it starts snowing, then he'll REALLY be crazy about the car :lol: . About that shop in Sparks. I've never had to have them adjust my carb or test for smog (I'm in a "no test" zone of Washoe County), but they are one of a few shops that even accepts the older models, and knows how they work. Like I said earlier, Ken and Fred are good guys and don't charge ridiculous prices for their work (just stay away from Michael Hohl) and know Subarus..they'll treat ya right (Norm's in South Tahoe is great too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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