Jaysz

I don't intend on pulling the engine, my 96 OB has leaked oil considerably for a while and it is not big deal just to add the oil when needed and haven't had any real problems for a long time. If I was able to do the work myself and if I had a backup car, I don't, I might think about it, I have a feeling that the head gaskets may have been done already, I have none of the symptoms I have seen on any of the posts I have read, and the known problems on this model seemed to have already been resolved. Also please realize work costs me $60 an hour and so if I am leaking oil slightly I am not going to pay hundreds of dollars to fix it, all 4 of the ru's I have owned have leaked oil to some extent. I appreciate all of the advice greatly, but I don't have the luxury of being able to do the work myself or have a place to do it, though that would be nice. This car only cost me $1400 with the work already done, I have almost $2k into the car, I hope to drive it for a month or two then do the work when I have some more funds available, but I will buy the parts now. If and when the head gasket goes I will take care of it, I have watched the temp gauge like a hawk and will continue to do so, temp gauge has not really gotten up to the half way point yet and I the heater works very well. Thank you all very much, I welcome any and all response. Jay. Anyone know of a more reasonable solid mechanic in my area, I have used tomssvx a couple of times but he isn't doing work right now, LMK.

Ok I bought a 96 Legacy LSI wagon, ej2.5 with 93000 miles and after about 200 or so miles it has been an absolute pleasure to drive, the 6 disc changer has no cartridge and so I am going to put an Alpine deck in with built in bluetooth. Anyway I want to do the preventative maintenance like we usually do (my wife and I) so what parts do I need besides these. Oh it was leaking oil badly when I bought it replaced the valve cover gaskets, new tires, back brakes and rotors and an inspection, and it seems to have subsided, still smell oil a little when I get out of the car but it has not been cleaned since the gaskets were put in. timing belt water pump oil pump o ring water pump wire set plugs idler fuel filter air filter do I need a tensioner?? It is an automatic was owned by an older woman and she did not drive it too much, don't have the service records though, also the gas fill pipe must have given out so they replaced it, will post pics later, however the door covering the gas cap and pipe area will not close, there is not latch on the car side of things just a hole, any ideas? Also I will be having a local mechanic do all the labor as I really don't do very much on cars, houses yes, cars not really. Thank you to everyone for all your help, hope to hear from you soon

Hi, I just bought a 1996 Subaru Legacy LSI wagon for $1420, it only has 93000 miles but I am a little concerned because it has the 2.5l engine instead of the 2.2l. It needs some tires, back brakes and some seals, it is leaking oil pretty good, but my mechanic had it on the lift and said it looks like an excellent buy. Here is the vin 4S3BK6650T7305731 Thanks a bunch for any help anyone could give, have a great night. Jay.

Hi, Haven't posted in some time, I am going to look at a 1996 Subie Legacy L wagon with 103k, automatic, supposed to come with 2 sets of tires, snow tires and a set of all season tires, also comes with chains, apparently this guy was from greece and was nervous about driving in our Philly weather, shrug. Anyway he wants $2k and he is going to let me take it to my mechanic who I am sure will go over it pretty well, he has done this a few times for my over the years. So I know to to do the slow figure 8's to check for torque bind, he told me it has a small oil leak, and the abs light comes on and goes off now and then, so what should I be checking for or have my mechanic look for, any help would be appreciated. BTW my wife's 96 impreza outback has 187k on it and is still running strong, although I bought that car in 2005 and so this car makes me a bit more nervous to be buying a 14-15 year old car as a daily driver. Thanks, Jay.

It turned out that the first shop put the wrong switch in, the second shop put the wrong subaru switch in, called in the info to subaru with the vin and found the correct switch. No mo problems . Jay

Ok I have a 96 impreza outback that the brake lights will not go off, no it is not the parking lights switch, the actual brake lights stay on all the time. I took it to a shop and he replaced a switch by the fuse box, 1 week later problems returns, take the car back replace switch again, now it is back again. I have done a little research and have found it may be one of 2 things, emergency brake switch or low brake fluid. Filled the brake fluid, problem is still occuring, so I could really use some help here fellows, my wife would like to use her car and so if you could figure this out for me I would be very appreciative. Jay.

Ummm not sure if you guys are aware of this but... http://www.amazon.com/GCK-Industrial-SB8009-Front-Wheel/dp/B000FF5EK6/ref=sr_1_3/103-5443969-7569439?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1191934136&sr=8-3

Tried to pm you, your mailbox is full, what is the history on the pump and do you have the reservoir as well? Thanks, Jay.

Well I took my car today and had 2 new GCK axles installed by guy from the svx-forum, and he installed them and they are fine. I have a problem with my power steering unit leaking and he asked if could come here to source a used one that is good or was a good pull. Well if anyone can help let me know, thanks. Jay. Any general suggestions would be welcome as well, 96 impreza outback 5spd, 150k.

I paid $600 for my 96 impreza outback 5 speed, if that helps at all.

Ok so I bought a 93 Legacy l in January, around march 30th I find out the title was never processed and so after March 30th I could not drive it until the now, later this week I should receive the title and all. Find out the car was supposed to be junked because of rusting of the rear axel, she gave this car to so and so and he instead of junking it repaired it somewhat and sold it to me. I noticed while I drove it, about 4k miles or so, until my plate expired that it would click on the right rear wheel now and then, sometimes it would click repeatedly, sometimes just a few times. The engine and trans are in excellent shape, I have had the car at 90-100 without problems as far as the engine and trans but she wiggles or floats. The sway bar is almost brand new oem. There is a good amount of rust on the undercarriage but it hasn't eaten holes in the underside or anything close, a bracket that holds a cable has broken off but it stays in place. Almost forgot 121k, automatic. Think I can get this car roadworthy again?? Jay

Ok well I changed the wireset and the problem stopped, today we replaced the spark plugs with NGK V-Power copper core plugs, it runs a little better after the new plugs. 1 plug I am assuming cylinder #3(see 1st post) was burned a little, had some blackness on the white part of the plug as well as the tip, the other 3 where a good bit better looking. The CEL is still on, will it go off in a few days or will I have to have someone turn it off with an OBDII unit?? Thanks for all the help folks, I will be back with some more questions shortly, I have axle problems with my 93 legacy L, but that's for another day. Jay. CEL went off today and has stayed off.

Car did not have one when I purchased, I will just ask the guy at the parts counter, thanks though . Jay.

Ok so what kind of plugs should I buy? Last time I bought the NGK Iridium as I previously stated, those cost $7 each is it worth it or should I go with a cheaper plug? Thanks.

Ordered a set of wires from Reedman-Toll Subaru in Langhorn, will be in tomorrow price is $38.92. Am I supposed to use di-electric grease when installing these, someone told me I should. Jay.

Hey, Ok I have been having some problems with the Sube lately, 96 impreza outback, ej22, stick, 150k. So the cel has been on and is blinking once in a while, which I think means the problem is currently happening, so I take it to autozone to have them read the code. Here is what they come up with Troubleshooting P0303 Definition Cylinder misfier detected-cylinder number 3 Explanation The powertrain control module monitors the crankshaft speed and has detected a misfire condition. Probable Causes 1. Ignition system fault-spark plugs,ignition wires, coil 2. Vacuum leak 3. Injector fault 4. High or low fuel pressure The plugs were replaced last summer with ngk iridiums, the wireset was replaced about 3 months ago with a set from autozone, the coil has never been replaced as far as I know. So I put some seafoam in the gas tank and filled it up in case it is a clogged injector which I highly doubt. I had this problem once before replaced the wireset and it went away til now. Ok, what should I do?

Hehe, well thanks, you guys are funny . Jay. Double Yah!!! Almost forgot original owner, he purchased the car 8 years ago as a demo.

White 4 Door Sporty Subaru 1999 Legacy L Sedan 163,500 miles runs Ok, but may need some work fair condition, clean interior it will need a new wind shield and front brakes That's the ad price is $1250 and he said it was very negotiable without me asking. He said he replaced the timing belt twice so far he believes and he has paperwork for all the work. So if I can get the car for $500-750 and I am willing to put another $500 into it think I can make this work? How much longer will this car last realistically. Anything particular I should be looking for, how would I tell if the headgasket is blown?? Thanks as always, Jay.

Ok so I went to RS Strauss today to get some parts for the spring tune up that my brother in law and I do yearly or so, first time for the legacy since I just got it in January. Bought the following PCV Valve Purolator air and fuel filters 4 NGK V Power resistor spark plugs, they say approved for oem on the box do I have the correct spark plugs???? Ok so I still need a wire set but I want oem and I will probably flush and fill the radiator anything else??? Thanks you guys are always incredibly helpful, sometimes even humorous at the same time, enjoy the weekend. Jay.

What is my best solution for dealing with the quarter-half dollar size patches of rust above the wheel wells. Only on the back wheels in the identical spot and I really don't like having rust on my cars. Btw I LOVE this car, I cannot believe how much I have fallen for it already, it is just an incredibly fun car to drive and it is very tight and holds the road really well, oh well have a good night all, thanks for the help. Jay.

Well I purchased the vehicle today, it looks really, really nice, the car is in mint condition inside and very good condition out. I will see about posting some pictures sometime soon, it has 2 quarter size rust patches above the rear tires both in the same spot, it also has some problem with the right rear wheel I hear a scratching noise when I brake. I took it too my mechanic expecting brake repairs but he said it looked like rust on the drum he will pull the wheels tomorrow and do a more thorough inspection tomorrow. I will post some more later on hopefully with pictures, thanks for the help. Jay.

Ok I am going to look at a car tomorrow it is a 1993 Subaru Legacy L AWD with 121000 miles on it and it look very clean, they are asking $1900 but I think I can negotiate the price to about $1500-1600. Does that sound reasonable?? Anything outside the ordinary I should look for?? Thanks for the help have a good night. Jay.

After the first few posts I was thinking along the lines of not purchasing the car, it is in line with KBB but I NEVER use that I always use edmunds and it is a good bit over the private party value. I saw a 94 legacy with 114k for $2k on CL, unsure what to do any help is much appreciated, thanks. Jay. P.S. I relalize they are drastically different vehicles, right now I would prefer to not have the debt but need a VERY reliable car, thanks.

1999 Forester L 57,000 miles Dark Green 2nd owner car Automatic Condition: outside-excellent inside-immaculate There are 2 issues with this car that are of any concern to me they are At 19,800 miles or so the odometer acted up and would stick, a Sube dealer did the repair and he has the paperwork from the dealer, Glanzmann of PA for you locals. The car's currently at 37,250 miles or so. It was involved in a minor collision in which the owner was hit in the passenger corner, after checking the gaps between the body panels the rear passenger door sticks out maybe 1/16-1/32 from the body panel, if I had not done my research here I would have never found saw that. The engine is very clean all the fluids are clean. The asking price for the vehicle is $8000.00, opinions please, thanks Jay.

JF1SF63551H746230 Thanks for any assistance anyone can lend, it's a 2001 subaru forester L, Jay.