IdahoJak

My '86 Hatch GL 4x4, built 01/86, engine sn: 015963

The speedometer on my '86 Hatch pegs the needle past 100mph by the time I reach about 20mph. I did a search on this and found that it is caused by a bad oil seal where the speedo cable screws into the tranny. That allows oil to travel up the cable into the speedo head. There is an air gap in the speedo head that when contaminated with oil causes the speedo to register much faster than it should. Anyway, I ordered the oil seal from the dealer. When I got it I disconnected the cable, but could not see how to replace the seal. I decided to let the pros do the job. Today I took it to the dealer who thought it would be less than an hour to fix. The mechanic worked on it for about 45 minutes then came in the office and said he could not get the old seal out. To do the job, he would have to remove the tranny and open it up. I told them to forget it and brought the car home. I know some of you have done this repair, any secret tricks on getting the old seal out?

Sounds to me like you have some crud or rust in the gas tank. I had an '86 Trooper that had a rusted gas tank and it did exactly what yours is doing. I finally fixed it by removing the tank and cleaning it out. You might pull the fuel filter off again and see how it looks now. If it is bad again that would seem to confirm what I'm saying. Good luck and let us know what happens. Jack

Russ, have you checked with an alternator shop to see if it can be rebuilt? A rebuilt should be cheaper than a new one, and be more reliable than putting in a used one. Jack

My '90 Mitsubishi Montero has a similar inclinometer in it, along with the voltmeter and oil pressure gauge. I've heard you can fill them with mineral oil if they are low. Most Mitsu owners agree that it is a cool looking gauge, but probably the least used gauge you'll ever have.

Yea, go ahead and choke him . Andrew, you having trouble getting emails again? Did you get the title and bill of sale?

Does anybody know where he is, and if he is OK? His last post was Jun 16. He had just paid me for a car he is buying from me. We were working on a date for him to fly to Idaho, then all of a sudden no more communication. I can't even get him on his cell phone. Hope he is OK, if anybody knows, please let me know. I know he also bought a car in Oregon, so maybe he is driving that across country???

Here's a link to some codes that should help you: http://www.troublecodes.net/Subaru/

When it quits running are you not getting fuel or spark? If I had to guess, I'd think the engine computer might be cutting out when it warms up. You could get a used one at: http://www.car-part.com/ for about $25 plus shipping. Even it that doesn't fix it you would at least have a spare.

My '85 Hatch GL has a replacement engine in it, but the owner gave me the original engine: Build date 11-84, original engine S.N. EA81 665918

A couple years ago I had an '86 Izuzu Trooper that had sat for 6 years, after we got it going it started doing what your subie is doing. Did all kinds of things trying to fix it including changing the fuel pump. It ended up being a bunch of rust in the gas tank. It would plug up the pick-up screen inside the tank after driving a few miles, then sputter and die. I'd let it sit for an hour, then it would start right up and run good for another few miles. Finally fixed it by flushing out the gas tank. Also had the exact same problem and fix with an old '65 Massey Ferguson tractor. Good luck, let us know what you find.

A all the way, that will look sharp!

Thanks Subieman, looks like I have an early '83 engine. Don't know if that makes a difference on any parts I order for it, but now at least I know. Jack

My '85 Hatch has had the engine replaced. I'm trying to verify what year/model the replacement engine is from. The number on the engine is EA81, 240670. A big thanks to anyone who knows. Jack

Brian, Yes it was the red one on Craigslist for $1250. I had only emailed the guy one time and had not even mentioned the price, so it must have been someone else who offered more. It sure looked like a clean one, does it run as good as his ad said? Those Hatchies are hard to find, but they do come up, probably one every other week. In fact, the guy who sold you his Brian, emailed me back after he sold it and said he has another one he's going to be selling in August. He said he would let me know when it was for sale. If he does, I'll let folks here on the forum know about it (Soobmater first, if he want's to go to California to pick one up). But from what I've seen on Craigslist, Seatle is the best chance to have one.

Soobmater, you're going to hate me, but I just bought the '85 hatch you were looking at. I swear I emailed the guy before I saw your post. We emailed and phone called back and forth a couple times and I bought it after he emailed me a bunch more pics to look at. I really feel bad about this, cuz I saw how excited you were getting about it. If you want, I will continue to look for Hatchbacks and let you know when I see another one. I just missed out on one in California (I think someone on the forum beat me to that one). I have been searching ebay and craigslist everyday for awhile looking for a good hatch or brat. I found out this one has 190,000 miles (just broke-in for a Subaru), but is on it's second engine and tranny. It needs some distributor work (hopefully that will fix its power problem), but overall it looked clean and worth the $850. Just remember, Seattle seems to be the Subaru capital of the USA, so I'm sure you'll find another one close by. I'm going to have to drive 500 miles to pick this one up. Good luck on your search.

I bought a can of K&W today ($10 at NAPA), flushed the radiator and put in 1/2 can of the K&W. Thanks again for all the advice. Jack

More good advice, thanks guys! I've always been skeptical about those stop-leak products, but I think this might be a good time to try one. If it doesn't work and I do end up taking the head off I will also replace the timing belt, tensioner, and the oil pump.

Thanks Just-Y, I'll definately keep your offer in mind. Jack

Mellow65, I like my Justy, but think I would prefer the fuel injected version. If you decide you don't want the one in Portland, let me know, I am very interested, depending of course on its condition and price. Thanks, Jack

Northwet, thanks for the reply. If it is the intake manifold gasket, is there a test to see if it's that or the headgasket? The headbolts are not included with the sets, so they have to be replaced also? I was thinking the same thing about putting in a replacement engine if the head turns out to be bad. I guess that's a bridge I'll cross when the time comes. Thanks again for the info. Jack

My '89 Justy GL, manual tranny, was making alot of noise around the exhuast manifold. I pulled the manifold off to check things out. Noticed the connection to the catalytic converter had 2 of the 5 studs broken hence the exhuast leak. Also noticed the inside of the cat was in pieces of melted broken honeycomb. Then I saw a few drops of antifreeze coming out of the middle exhaust port. I cleaned out the pieces of cat and buttoned things back up. I wanted to see what a head and head gasket kit would cost. $245 for the gasket kit at out local auto parts store. And, if the head turns out to be bad, another $200 for a junkyard head. Now what's also interesting here, is that I am not seeing any antifreeze in the oil or vise-versa. I lose very little antifreeze, and don't really notice any white smoke coming out the exhaust. The engine has not overheated in the few months that I've had it. The car runs fine. My question is, will it hurt the engine to just keep running it like this (of course adding antifreeze once in awhile) or do I need to pull the head and fix the problem? I searched the internet part suppliers and found 3 types of head gasket kits: Felpro $161, Ishino $117, and Stone $87. I know Felpro makes a good product, I've never heard of the other companies, anybody know anything about their gaskets? Am I overlooking something, maybe it's not the head gasket but something else? Any advice is welcome. Thanks, Jack

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll hold out for a gen 2.

I've always liked the looks of a Brat, especially the gen 1, but I've never had the chance to ride in one. This has probably been asked a hundred times (I did do a search, but couldn't find any info) can a six foot, 200 pounder, fit comfortably in a gen 1 Brat? If not, how about the gen 2? Just for some reference, I have a '75 Subaru DL, 2 door, and it is fine for headroom, but a little short for legroom. I also have an '89 Justy, and it is good both ways. Thanks for any comments.