Bigbusa

Mileage? my 96 obs was doing the same thing but also had a sort of grinding noise when running... which was the waterpump. Does your waterpump sound loud or quiet?

I've never heard of a gas tank pressure test when getting an inspection. That's weird. I wouldn't want anyone pressurizing my fuel system.

nice looking ride!

Back when I lived in Maine my buddies and I used to buy junky subarus that were on their last legs and beat em in the many miles of woods trails. Usually, we could pick em up for $25 to $50. Cheap fun! I wish I had taken more pics because we put those old cars through some serious terrain. When they were just too beat to run through the woods we'd take them to this huge field and have a crash up derby. What a riot that was! This is a pic of my friends suby after one of the crash up derbys. I had to tow him home with my suby that luckily still ran and moved on it's own power.

wrap the fuse legs with aluminum foil. It won't blow again!

Yes it was in NY until I sold it on ebay. The buyer drove it home to tennessee ...I think. He painted it soon after getting it home. I wonder if he's on this site now? I recognize some of you guys from the old USMB board. I got a lot of ideas and advice from the site when lifting the brat.

The shift from 1-2 is not super bad but it's noticably "harder" than all other upshifts. No high revs and no noises during any of the shifts and it runs fine. I'll check that resistor. If it's good, I'll assume this is how it's supposed to shift. Another question... My car came with a little cubby hole box instead of an ashtray. It also came with an accesory outlet with a hinged cover on it... instead of a normal cigarette lighter. Were ashtrays and lighters optional in 96? As a smoker ...having no ashtray or lighter is a bit*h Anyone have an ashtray for an OBS they wanna get rid of? This is probably my 5th and newest subaru. I had a 90 loyale, 81 wagon, 86 brat and a couple others I can't think of. All older models. New ones are too expensive! My roomy bought a new 06 impreza sedan. I wouldn't want the $411 monthly payment. This was my brat. I should have never sold it.

I just bought the car about 100 miles ago so I don't know much about it's mantainence history. I should probably have the tranny fluid flushed and changed. It looks fairly red on the dipstick but who knows how long it's been in there. I'll check that resistor. The AT oil temp light comes on with the ignition but goes off when it starts. It does not flash. The hard shift happens all the time... even when warmed up. Maybe the shift from 1st to 2nd is supposed to be this solid but the other shifts are so nice and smooth... this just feels slightly wrong. Thanks for the advice.

My 96 OBS with auto and 180k has a very "hard" shift from 1st to 2nd gear. It's so "hard" that I usually try to let off on the gas a little just before it's going to shift so the shift will be a little more gentle. When it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear it feels like the shift is too "hard". I don't know how else to descibe it. It's very solid ...like... wham or bang. All other shifts between gears are fine. There's no "gentle cushion" like the shifts between other gears. Is this normal for a high mileage auto tranny? Are there tranny additives that are recommended to make the shifts more "gentle"? thanks!

I'm glad it worked out! Even though you did end up paying $2000 more for the car than you expected. You now have a suby that'll go another 100k without issue! I'm curious if they replaced the cam and crank seals while they were in there? New belts too? Valve cover gaskets? My father was a VW mechanic for 25+ years at his own shop. He always offered the customers their old parts... if they wanted to see them or take them, that was encouraged. For me, this proves that every part you were charged for can be seen as defective and actually necessary. And, you can then know it was actually replaced. If I was spending $2000 on repairs I would demand all the old parts... the old seals, timing belt, serpentine belts, HGs, water pump etc etc etc. My guess is that the used car sale was as/is and legally the dealer doesn't have to pay anything toward the repairs. Morally, he should at least pay 1/2 if not all. So, be nice to him and see what happens. The problem is... you've already had the repairs done and paid for them.

I wonder if this is the same mystery fluid that subaru put in the power steering system on the XT6?

shaving down a new tire does seem prety neurotic and OCD! :-\

I agree, there are better deals out there. Very few subies sold on ebay reach Kbb book prices. Those prices are a rough guide and generally too high. I bet he'll take $4500. Tell him you're looking at another subie that isn't all beat up. Offer $4500 and stand fast on it. He'll call you back and say yes within a couple days.

skip u rock! I'm sure people appreciate you going out of your way to help. I do.

Kinda funny to read but damn... you must be going nuts!!!!!

I will do that. Now each brand of tires are installed on the fronts and rears. thanks

skip thanks for the advice. Brakes aren't hanging up. That I know. O2 sensor possibly ...but I do not have a check engine light indicating a problem. What is the CTS? Winter fuel blend ... possibly an issue but I can't control that.

My 180k mile 1996 obs 2.2L auto is getting 17.5 mpg city. It is below freezing here so that will probably lower the MPG some. Still, 17.5 mpg seems pretty low. What should I check and/or replace on my engine for better MPG? It was tuned up with new wires at 160k miles. I just replaced the air filter too. Tire pressures all checked. On a positive note, I can't believe how easy it was to replace the rear rotors and pads! Remove the wheels, remove a bolt on the caliper, flip it up and pull it off. Remove 2 bolts on the pad holder, slide it out, put in new pads, reinstall holder, slap on new rotor, squeeze caliper piston with a clamp, install it, adjust parking brake star wheel with my finger and slap on wheels. 15 mins tops per side. Are the front brakes this easy? I'm doing them next.

oh Yeah and the pivot bolt on the alt.

do US spec subies have this too? My 86 brat had it but I thought they stopped using dual range on subies soon after that.

early I'll be happy if the tranny in my 96 obs goes to 320k! I did notice that the car has 2 different brands of tires on it. perelli on the front and continetals on the rear. Same size and they all appear to have roughly the same amount of tread. With the argument that all 4 tires need to be exactly the same... at this point, I couldn't buy 2 new tires of the same brand and model (if I can even find them) because they'd be slightly larger due to the wear of my current tires. I can't swing another $300 or so for 4 new tires so I guess I'll just run her with the 2 different brands of tires.

I'd check on ebay, autotrader.com and local classified ads for the car you want. Even if you had to drive to a neighboring state to buy it you could still save a grand. $7k sounds a little high for a 9 year old obs.

I just changed my a/c and alt belts on my 96 2.2L. It was really easy. Crank the alt adjuster down until you can remove the belt, slap the new one on and crank it back up until the belt is tight. On the a/c belt I removed the 2 bolts holding the roller tensioner on, removed it and the belt came right off. Reverse procedure to install. I'm guessing you can do this job in a 1/2 hour.

I think it was a pretty good deal. It grew up in brooklyn NY so it has various dents, dings and bumper cover damage but it's still real solid. She runs like a top even with 180k miles. A subaru mechanic I know said the ej22 is "grenade proof" and will probably go another 100k without issue.

that's a great idea! I had one and didn't even think of using it. :cool: