pattiandruss

Boy are you ever right. That's exactly what it was. Thanks, russell

The sensor was $44 from Shucks Auto, but you have to print out the price from Parts America, their on line outlet to get it that cheap. Otherwise was $65. I found my problem, by the way. Knocked off a large vacuum hose under the main air intake, now it runs fine. Just have to rechange the O2 sensor, but I know how now. Russell

Should the car run with the o2 sensor disconnected? Russell

Yes, I did that.

I changed the O2 sensor on my wife's 93 Legacy today, it had a constant check engine light, and a 32 code. But, I used a Bosch universal sensor, 3 wires, and I hooked it up wrong. The instructions were vague, and I hooked the sensor lead to a heater lead. So, probably put 12 volts into the sensor port of the ecu. It will start just fine, but dies very soon. If I keep it above 2000, it will run OK. It was running fine until I did the sensor change today. Pretty sure I didn't knock anything loose or do any other damage under the hood. Tried unhooking the o2 sensor, then put the old one back on, but no luck. Help!!! Russell

Try looking under the hood in the dark, or just feel around the plug wires while it is running. I was sure I had fuel problems with my 84, until it bit me while I was reaching around the carb. It acted exactly like a fuel starvation problem, with no mid range, but it was plug wires. Russell

How many miles on your 81? That would have a bearing on possible parts needs. My 84 has 211K, so you may be a long ways from major engine work. Russell

Yes, it could certainly be a ujoint. Try to rotate the shaft in both directions, and also shake it sideways. Mine has sideways movement, and it causes quite a little rattle under the right conditions. I figure that an old Sub doesn't have enough power to break anything, so I'm just running it until it gets worse. Russell

I had to take out one that had been super tightened and rounded off by a quickie oil change place. Used a pipe wrench, but you will have to get a new plug afterwards. Do this as a last resort. Russell

What brand are the tires? Russell

Good decision not to tow with the Subaru. I pull a trailer, but I do it with an F-250. Maybe something to consider, buy a full size pickup cheap, and plan on selling it after the move. If you break even, or only lose a little, it could be a good deal. An old 2WD anything should be pretty inexpensive in Medford. Russell

There is some goop that you smear on a wire and stick into the tank. It turns color if there is water, and the wire should let you get to the bottom of the tank. Don't know where you would get this stuff, but gas stations use it to check their storage tanks. Russell

Mine often won't come out of 4th, either if it is in gear when I stop. Try going to neutral or downshifting around 20 MPH. That works for me. Much slower and it sticks in gear. Try shutting off the engine and/or playing with the 4wd selector if you do get caught stopped in 4th. Russell

Silverstars are better than the advertisements. They will change you from a dim yellow glow to bright white. Legal, too. Russell

No, only 4th. After I get it out of gear, it will go into any gear, including reverse, without grinding. So, either the clutch drags only after a stop while in 4th gear, or there is something strange about 4th. If it was the clutch, I don't understand why it would jam up only in 4th gear. This doesn't mean that it can't possibly be the clutch, just that I don't understand. Russell

How about "internal, integrated, part-of-the-transmission case"? Anyhow, thanks for the suggestion about additives. Maybe that will help compensate for some of the wear, otherwise I guess I'll live with it. Maybe pushing it backwards with the drive selector in neutral would release it? Worth a try, anyhow. Russell

DOES have a transfer case. 2 high, 4 high, neutral, 4 low. Fluid is good, nice and clean and right on the mark. Russell

My OLD Honda Goldwing, flat 4, sounded like my 84 sub, which sounds like my wife's 93 Legacy. Maybe it's because they are all Japanese? Russell

My 84 4wd hatchback sticks in 4th gear if I come to a stop while in gear. If I take it out of 4th, go to neutral or third, while still moving 15 mph or so, it is fine. Putting the transfer case in neutral and shutting off the engine allows me to bang it out of gear. 211k, so maybe the syncros have a notch worn in them? I don't think it's clutch drag because of the engine off, transfer case in neutral thing. That should freewheel everything. Ideas? Russell

I once changed the pads on a Dodge pickup, and put one side in backwards. It is quite noisy with the metal side of the pad against the rotor. Didn't hurt anything, I test drove it and pulled right back into the garage and turned that pad over. Embarrasing? Live and learn. Russell

Craw under and shake the rear u-joint around. Mine has sideways play and makes a funny rattle at low speed. I figure the car doesn't have enough power to break anything, so I'll fix it later. Russell

Shucks auto sells something they call a "bar rack". It is 2 clamp-on bars with what appears to be some attaching gear. $32, so it might be a good starting place. I need a rack for mine, too, so I'll check out the Shuck's item as soon as I get a little free time. Russell