Subaru Maintenance/Tuneup Advice

[JT95]

I just started driving a '95 Legacy Wagon Lsi, 150,000 miles on it. The car has been sitting in a garage for a year without being driven. Other than regular oil changes, I have no record of the maintenance done to this vehicle by its previous owner.

 

I already changed in new plugs, oil and filter, and air filter. Planning to install new plug wires. I suppose I need to have the timing belt replaced since I don't know if its ever been done or not. This is my first Subaru, so I know nothing about their "personalities".

 

What would you recommend doing to the car? It runs smooth with no evident problems. Should I have the transaxle fluid replaced and differential re-lubed? Replace fuel filter?

 

Thanks.

[BillAileo]

With 150,000 miles and no idea what work has been done, I'd recommend you add the following to the list of things to do, assuming you like to work on the car:

• replace the brake fluid
  
• replace the antifreeze
  
• when you do the timing belt pay close attention to the crankshaft oil seal and if there is any sign of a leak (a common occurance) replace it while you have the belt off.
  
• stick with OE when you replace the wires
  
• the fuel filter lasts a long time, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace it
  
• check the other belts, if they are still original they will probably show signs of wear and warrant replacement
  
• check the brake pads and replace if warranted
  
• on the transaxle and differential I would make sure the fluid levels are right, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace them unless problems are evident
  
• with 150,000 miles I wouldn't be surprised to learn you'll need new front struts one of these days (if the originals are still on) ....
  

Good luck with the car.

 

Bill

[brus brother]

Had the car been driven or even started during the year it was "in storage"? I am going to pick up a car that has been dry docked since March and am wondering what to expect and bring along when picking up the car. Was the battery OK to start the car? Were the brake calipers frozen? I don't have access to a repair location and it's about 150 miles away (I do have AAA). Don't meen to hijack your post but would appreciate a heads up.

[JT95]

The car sat for about 11 months in a garage. I had replaced some front sheetmetal and needed to locate some parts. I got too busy w/ work to finish the job right away, so it sat longer than expected. Was started occasionally to move it out of the way, but that was not very often. The front rails were out of alignment, so I drove the car over to the shop that pulled the front end for me--that was the first time the car had been on the road in a year. Yes, the battery was wasted, but it was due for a new one anyway. Everything operated smoothly though.

 

Be prepared to jump the battery, but you may not have to. 5 months isn't too awful long to sit, but I'd put some fresh gasoline in it first chance.

[MorganM]

Hoses! Check all and definatly replace main radiator top and bottom hoses. Also might do the thermostat as it might have gotten gummed up from just sitting there in nasty old cooalnt for a year.

 

Lots of other great suggestions above.

[Setright]

Yep, I would run down BillAileo's list, and add the hose replacement suggested by Morgan.

 

If I were to nit-pick, I would remove interior trim, especially in the boot, and check for blocked drain holes and the resulting standing water.

[critical_max]

 

If I were to nit-pick, I would remove interior trim, especially in the boot, and check for blocked drain holes and the resulting standing water.

 

 

Oh so true, my sedan had a nice orange coating under the trunk "floor" and on the factory jack... (which still worked as I found out one day in the middle of nowhere (the look on my friends' faces "this car has *two* spare tires??")... but that's beside the point)

 

All the serious car restoration folks seem to give very high priority to drain holes, and unfortunately they are all out of sight. Fortunately the cardboardish fender wells are easy to remove.

[itzik93]

I just started driving a '95 Legacy Wagon Lsi, 150,000 miles on it. The car has been sitting in a garage for a year without being driven. Other than regular oil changes, I have no record of the maintenance done to this vehicle by its previous owner.

 

I already changed in new plugs, oil and filter, and air filter. Planning to install new plug wires. I suppose I need to have the timing belt replaced since I don't know if its ever been done or not. This is my first Subaru, so I know nothing about their "personalities".

 

What would you recommend doing to the car? It runs smooth with no evident problems. Should I have the transaxle fluid replaced and differential re-lubed? Replace fuel filter?

 

Thanks.

 

A car that sat 11 monthes without moving at all will have to be checked (brakes, etc...) and replaced all fluid's (engine, gear, radiator, brake fluid...) filters and rubber hoses/parts (recommanded: radiator hoses and brake hoses). Also check for tire damage... tires dont like to sit for long periods.

 

If the CV boots are looking bad (dry with cracks) - replace them before they'll tear apart.

 

Izik