screwbaru2

old pcv will bog an engine also the pcv hose sometime gets clogged.

Philbiker I agree with grossgray don't condem soobs just for this issue. They really are great cars. This is the only real big issue. I've been driving soobs for ten years now at over 500 miles per week. They're like the E bunny they keep going and going. I looked for a year and a half for my 97 outback 2.5 5sp. Paid $4000. for it. After 5 weeks the HG issue happened. I had to deal with it myself. Hadn't found USMB at that time. Soob dealer told me the block or head(s) were cracked. Got another 2.5 from the bone yard. A year later what's that smell? Oh crap!! I drove that motor into the ground with a vegeance! Finally after 6 months it seized. I'm looking for a used 2.2 to replace it. Some on this site think the new HG's solve the problem. I'm not convinced yet, maybe in a few years with no HG issues I'll be convinced. The 2.2 are great engines. All the soobs I've had before the OB came from boneyards. All had 2.2's. Drove them thousands of miles until the bodies finally failed inspection for too much rot. My advice replace the 2.5 with a used 2.2 the cost is about the same, you won't be sorry. Subaru rules:clap: !

Take care of the tranny. Get the converter issue checked /repaired. Change it's filter and fluid. If it goes and you like the car replace it, cheaper than another car. Thats part of the beauty of the soobs they last a long time with a little care and aren't very hard to work on.

Welcome 8788dyno you'll grow to love this site! What a resource, you can't buy this kind of knowledge, the kind that comes from doing. The people are great, they don't want to bust your balls they want to help.

I used 2000 grit on my headlights with lots of water. Waxed em when I was done. Looks great. Already had the sandpaper and wax, cost $0.

I found this site by accident. After a half hour of reading I was very impressed. The amount of knowledge and realworld experience here is unmatched anywhere. The people are great. I won't mention any names for fear of leaving someone out. I haven't encountered anyone rude or ingnorant. I'd like to meet some of these people but most of them live far away. I go on the site at least once a day, most of the time just because it's interesting and enjoyable read. Long live USMB!!!!:cool:

Your only replacing one side?? You'll regret that when your doing the other side in a few months.

I've been thru this twice now the HG is leaking. You've probaly got bubbles in the overflow as well as a black substance. If not yet keep driving it you will. The second times I drove mine for six months after it started showing symtoms. As long as it doesn't overheat severly it'll be ok. Besides the engine is a piece of junk in my opinion so what does it matter if it does get overheated. I would do a thing to the engine except change it for 2.2L. I'd fix it as the 2.5 'should' be good. Who spends $1000 to $1500 on "should be good" funk that!!

I use my scanner to check coolant temp thru the ecu. "only 2 things I can think of that could cause that, is the water pump itself isn't pushing enough coolant around until the rpms come up. or the system isn't pressurizing. if it's not leaking AFAIK the only way for it to not pressurize is the rad cap." Except for the cap the above was the same as I thought after reading your first post. But if you are in doubt about the temp gauge then definitely check the temp before doing anything more. Also a hose will sometime collapse inside and restrict flow.

Am I correct thinking that this wouldn't happen to a manual tranns? With the clutch disengaged there would be not torque on the axle.

Grossgray, After I read your post I thought water pump also but, I reread it and noticed the "many times repalced themostat". I'm thinking maybe after many times you got a bad one. It's cheaper and easier than a water pump or heater core. If nothing eles you got it out of the way as a cause.

Could be your throwout bearing they make grinding / ratteling / scraping nosies depending how they fail

My experience with bent valves are no starts the motor cranks faster than normal because of no compression. Check the crank pulley like 91loyal said.

My 97 ob has a small toggle switch and a button to disable the sys. It's located on the left kick panel just below the dash. You got good advise about disconnecting the battery and charging. With the bat. charged key on press the button (if you have one) the lights should stop flashing. Turn the key off. I hate the system in my ob and will be removing it before I put it back on the road.

You sound like a battered wife he hurt me but I love him. The 2.5 is a great engine right up to the time it craps the bed on ya. Go for the 2.2L

Is the speedo elect? Don't they run backwards if connected 180 out?

Try never to brake when HP'ing. Fastest way to lose control, let the engine slow you down. Like nipper said HP is like ice and brakeing on ice ain't too cool:rolleyes:

Did you connect clutch kill switch that disengages the cruise when the pedal is depressed? There should be a connector for it. Might be that last connector your looking for and why the cruise doesn't work.

I'm not guilt ridden but, I do miss my 97 OB 5spd w/ all the dodads. The worthless 2.5 turned in to a overheated mess again, second time. So I found a nice 97 Leg. wagon w/ a 2.2 auto but it's not the same. I'm trying to get my garage rebuilt before spring so I can do something about it. If not then when the weather breaks I'll pull the 2.2 and the OB wil roll again!

Anything from Dexcon III and up I think. Its all hydralic fluid after all.

Good place to start the pcv. Most don't get changed often enough. Check the hose(s) for flow. Or if they feel really hard like brittle replace em. The #4 plug take out or move aside the washer tank 2 bolts and a elect. connector or 2. You'll have all the room you need. Also do it with a cold engine. Alum. threads are easy to strip when they're hot, you can start one cross threaded and get enough turns on it you think your safe. After you toqure her down she never comes out again. Also go with subaru parts for the ignition some soobs are really fussy about those parts. Wouldn't hurt to check / change the air filter. I usually take out the air cleaner box for access to plugs 1 & 3, clean the box and replace the filter.

Actually I don't think it even works if the key is simply in acc or on. Hi Porc Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if that was the case with the key. I guess it's one of the soob surprises like the parking light switch! wish didn't have to find out @ 0300 on a cold New England morning, but thats the way I learn many lessons the hard way!

I have a 97 leg. wagon w/ factory remote entry. Question: Should the remote entry work (unlock the door) when the car is running? Mine doesn't. Got locked out of the my tonight:mad: After I got back in I tested it with the window down and it only works when the car is off.

I guess people just don't sell their Subies. Roger that, I only get rid of mine when the pan/frame starts to go bad. Even then I hate to see'em go!