Sonicfrog

If I hadn't overheated it, I wouldn't worry. But I've seen a lot of rubber fry and fail in my lifetime, so I figure pulling the beast will le me look at all the possible leak spots.

Well, it's that time. Today I'm going to pull the engine out of Murphy, the $500 87 T-Wag, and give it some new rubber. It's seeping oil from all around. Last year I overheated it really bad, and I've had low oil pressure and TOD ever since. I blew a head gasket, natch, and replaced the front seals at the time (can, crank, and mickey mouse), but didn't get new valve cover gaskets or replace the rear main seal. I'm going to replace the little o-rings in the cam housing too, and check the oil tube leading down from the turbo into the block. One question - I'm going to build an engine stand for my workbench and was wondering if someone had also built one and had the dimensions.

H2O is a byprduct of the catalytic converter, and you would expect to see some comming out of the tail pipe, expecially during cold weather, since the water will condense quicker. Better to look at the dipstick and oil cap for milkshake sludge.

I just got back. Yep on the post above.

What everyone else said about the 3AT. I had one in my 87 T-Wag, and, man, did it suck. At only 18 - 19 mpg, my mileage was WORSE on the freeway than it was in the city. When I junked that tranny and swapped in a 5 speed, I increased to 26'ish mpg on the freeway. And the performance improvement was tremendous. I still have the old tranny and can't give it away. The reason the 3AT sucks is because it was designed and geared for the 1970 - 80's US market; a world where the max speed limit, by law, was 55 mph. It did OK then. But once that federal mandate on highway speed was rescinded, and everyone started driving 70 to 75 mph on the freeways, that tranny became a huge weakness for this vehicle. Because of the gear ratio's used in that tranny, once you start going past 55 mph, fuel efficiency and usable power drop like... well, a boat anchor. I was pulling 4000 + RMP's at 70 mph, which is about the same you would see if you drove your 5 speed in third gear at that same speed. The EA82's are best somewhere around 2500 and 3500 RPM's. PS. I'm about to take a drive on the freeway and will see if my third gear estimate is close to acurate.

I second this. C'mon, were not buying high end expensive sports cars - We're buying GL Subarus!!! Sure, the engine might leave some wanting more, but they're cheap, they have a go-anywhere suspension, the fantastic turn radius rocks, and the ease of working on this cars engine if - OK, WHEN things go foul to me more than make up for the shortcomings.

Never mind. I found it. It's the single relay right above the steering column.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

I'm pretty sure it's the relay. You can hear it buzzing when it doesn't function right. It sounds just like the electronic buzzer I built for science fair in fourth grade, which was cool but didn't win a prize. First prize went to the brainy red headed kid in my class named Charles, who built, from scratch, a functioning air conditioner / swamp cooler. He was always two or three steps ahead of everyone else. I could NEVER get first place with him round. And Yes - I'm STILL bitter. :banghead: -

Hey All: I haven't been around the New Gen list for a while..... I have an 87 Turbo (nuff said) and been hangin' mostly on the Old Gen side. But Red, the 94 $300 Alpine wagon has a bad starter relay. I can hear it clatter in the morning sometimes when it acts up and doesn't start the starter. But, of coarse, on the occations when I've taken off the panel to find out which one it is, the car starts just fine. Anyone got a pic of its exact location?

I've got Soobs with both engines, and I love both. I think if I had the money, and if the 82T were to take a dive, I might do the swap. But since I don't have the moola, and Murph, other than needing some resealing to stop oil leaks, has been running great since I got the dual core radiator.

Sorry to hear that. I am another who did very well going used. If this were a large leak, I would think you would have seen a lot of evidence of that before you pulled the rack. If the seepage seems light, I wouldn't worry about it. The big problem is when the leak is at the tie rod and boot. Mine was practically gushing. How long ago did you buy the rack? Most J-Yards will let you exchange for another part within a months time. PS. And be greatful that the rack, like everything else on a Subaru, is relatively easy to pull.

No, it's not just you. These, and the brakes, are well known issues for those cars.... and I Don't Care!!! I just turned 43, and dammit, I'm three years late for my mid life crisis. I Want That Car.... PERIOD:banana:

I dunno. But that's a funny place for the O2 sensor :lol: PS. The knock sensor is in that area. There is also a vacuum solinoid close to it. Is that a wire those are bundled to? My 87 T-Wag doesn't have a wire set there. Can you get pics from a few more angles?

ummm doesnt GM own part of Subaru....go to GM.com and Subaru is under the list I don't see it... and if it's there, it won't be for long. GM sold their portion of Subaru ownership to Toyota a year or so ago.

If I knew then what I know today, I would have replaced the radiator with a dual core if yours doesn't have one, and replace all the coolant hoses. That would have saved me two blown head gaskets. Even through the hassles, I absolutely LOVE to drive Murphy, the $500 87 T-Wag. This fall I plan on getting my dream car, an SVX, and will probably sell Murph. It will break my heart.

How 'bout some interior pics???

I'm on the other side of those mountains!!!

Ditto.

Actually, if he has a GL-10, then his would be Multi Port Fuel Injection. Oh, and Subaru was nice enough to install at least three different brands of Disties on these wagons. I always have fun going to th local Kragen to get a new cap and rotor, and the person at the counter will have to pull all three types in order to find the right one. This was just yesterday.

Too bad it's a lemon. Nice pic though. That must be its "Good Side"!!! :banana:

Two of the best / most indespensible tools you'll use when working on any car, let alone a Subaru, are a good induction timing light, and a good torque wrench. Best..... Purchases.... EVER!!!!

Did you use the springs from the RX on the back of your wagon? If so, that could be your problem. I'm pretty sure the back springs on the RX are not stiff enough for the wagons, as the back end of the wagon weighs quite a bit more than the RX rear end. A few years ago I swapped my leaky pneumatic suspension with a more standard set up. I did use the front springs from an RX, but used back springs from another wagon. Worked great for me. I get a very sporty ride. Also, I have read you can use the front springs from a 89 Accord on the back of the wagon. Will give you a bit more lift. Search the USMB for more details on that - I could be remembering it wrong.

Murph is doing much better. This weekend I replaced the fuel filter. Friday night, while at the parts store to get the filter, I found myself trying to think of the last time I replaced the disty cap and rotor..... couldn't remember. So I decided to get those too. Well, they didn't have the fuel filter of coarse, and it took them twenty minutes to find the right rotor and cap (they list five for the turbo) and then, just when I was ready to purchase...... the power went out!!!:-\ Figures. I couldn't buy the parts as all the registers are computers and... well, you know. So I got the parts today, found the fuel filter at Napa, and now Murphy runs a heck of a lot better. There is still a we bit of a pause in the acceleration, but it's barely noticeable.

I don't think it's a plugged exhaust. I've had that on another car and this just doesn't feel like that. The fuel filter isn't that old, but they're cheap, so I'll replace it anyway.