Manarius

I'd do the rear seals on the engine. The tranny should work just fine - no hitches. As long as you get a matching geared rear differential of course.

I can't imagine that the front diff would really like the two wheels changing speeds at random intervals. I also can't imagine that the clutch packs would like that much either. I would think that's why Subaru doesn't use TCS on AWD vehicles ;-)

There's too many tiny factors that go into that. Resistance of the fluid, the light dragging of the disc brake (you know disc brakes drag all the time), how well each CV joint turns, etc. In a perfect no friction world, I would agree with you - but just due to simple mechanics, there's going to be a wheel that doesn't spin even when it's off the ground. I highly doubt you have a dragging parking brake or anything that serious. If you're really that concerned, check how hot each hub unit is after driving for a little while. One that's noticeably hotter than the rest will give you a reason to investigate. Otherwise, I say it's just typical.

1990-1994 Legacy's are all extremely reliable and some of them even came with turbos for more power. They're all non-interference engines so you don't have to worry about being aggressive with the timing belt change.

The two front wheels will turn, but only one will get power - same with the rear. When put on the ground though in low traction conditions, only one back and one front will turn with any power.

Touche. Nipper, you ought to write a book so others can partake of your knowledge. :-p

Knock sensor on a 10 year old car? It doesn't even do anything. I know it doesn't do anything on my 16yo car....

PA Inspectors nitpick for everything. My friend's car failed because the knock sensor was toast.

PA inspection is stupid. In Indiana, they don't even inspect cars. I would gladly help anyone pass PA inspection because it's a big waste of time. However, the ECU will be throwing a code for the ABS light and since the car's OBDII, it will be plugged into the system so it can be read. Which will nullify the whole "pulled out the ABS light" thing.

+1 Nipper's absolutely right.

Looking at the manual, I still say that it should be towed either off the ground or not at all. Towing it 2 off the ground is way too risky. http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/owner/089.jpg

You might as well just start swapping engines. The NA compression makes turbo'ing that engine a pain the butt.

Legacycentral has been having issues over the past few days - including random times where it simply doesn't work.

Well, then those people are rather stupid to pay that much for a car with 200k.

First Gen Legacy's outside the US came with either a carbed version of the EJ18 or the EJ22. The guy from NZ that has a first gen Legacy has the EJ18.

I wouldn't call that a steal, but it has really low mileage and it's AWD.

You also said you feel like it's coming from the middle of the car - that even more points toward it looking like a U-Joint. Trannys don't usually vibrate like that just going straight forward, but if the U-Joint is shot, the driveshaft will wobble a good deal. I can't honestly think of anything else except maybe a broken/half broken motor mount that would cause a vibration unless it was unbalanced tires or something simple like that.

I think it's a driveshaft U-Joint. The shaft still spins whether the FWD fuse is in or not - the rear diff spins it.

Meet coming up tomorrow!

I would stick with the coolant temp sensor and possibly plugs as well.

My car isn't exactly smooth into reverse either. I think it's just a sign of age on the tranny - 250k is a lot of miles.

I went up a unplowed moderately inclined hill with regular all season tires - about 6-7 inches on the ground (dragging bottom). I went up twice with no spinning - I had to jump on it to break it loose. http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0164qb1.jpg

Where's the car at? I could pass along the post to the SVX Network where someone might bite.

Nipper's got it all right. That SVX has been beat I think and for that kind of money, you can do better.

If the accumulation of oil is not very much (are we talking just a coating here or a pool?) I'd just leave it alone. There's going to be some leaking..the car is 16 you know.