Olnick

"Though I don't know how they can get though the winters there," says the man from Alaska!!!

Thanks for sharing that--very informative. And good-on-ya for catching it!

You can fairly easily remove the entire radiator with fans still attached. That gives you plenty of room to do the timing belt. Don't waste a lot of time trying to inspect the belt--just plunge in and do the job. Even an apparently good belt is no match for a failed idler pulley (especially the cogged one!) Do the cam & crank seals while in there--and remove and re-seal the oil pump. I've done all this on both a '95 and a '92 in the driveway with limited hand tools. If I can do it I'll bet you can too! Valve covers can be done easily with motor in car. Unfortunately you have to pull the motor or drop the tranny to access the baffle plate. Good luck.

You might want to consider other more economical options for an alternator--go to a pull-n-pay or salvage yard. Pull one from a wrecked car--that means it was probably running before it got there! Or check with a starter/alternator rebuild shop--there's usually a respected one in every region. Ask an old-timer mechanic for his recommendation.

Starter contacts going "bad" is quite common in cars with a few years on them. Remove the starter, open the back of the solenoid and you'll see the contacts. Should be available for $10 or 15 at an auto-electric shop--or even on ebay. As Larry said, try a search on here--or Google "Subaru Starter Contacts"--and you'll find lots of help. Enjoy!

Nope! Nice car. Welcome to the USMB, your "home away from home!"

Those early Legacies were built like tanks. The energy of the impact went right up the A-pillar and buckled the roof--but the integrity of passenger compartment wasn't compromised!

Now that's funny. Hmmm, come to think of it, my old Legacy has an A.S.S.!

Love your smiling resignation! Hang in there Pierobon . . . what's another week? Or two?

Just googled your codes and this came up--might be worth checking: http://www.justanswer.com/subaru/3y7r4-p0028-p0026-codes-intake-valve-control-solenoid.html Good luck.

Thanks JeZeK! "Newer Subaru?" You betcha! His old engine hadn't even cooled down before I was searching Craigslist!

Yesterday as my son, Eric, was driving back to Seattle from the Stevens Pass Ski Area, a Honda SUV veered across the centerline and plowed into him. He's okay--just some bumps, bruises and cuts from shattered glass. But when he called to let me know what happened he was really dejected--partly because of the stress and trauma he had just endured, but mostly because he had lost his wonderful '92 Legacy sedan forever. So many nice memories in that car. Working together under the hood and under the car. Searching pull-and-pay yards for Suabaru parts. Marvelling at how peppy and smooth the EJ22 felt after a tuneup. Road-tripping to Colorado "collegiate style," driving through the night, one sleeping (very comfortably) in the back seat while the other was at the wheel. Meeting up with Larry Dew in Colorado Springs. Eric and I believe that car gave its all to protect him, perhaps saved his life. A 22 year old car and its airbag delpoyed! I was amazed. That didn't happen with the '98 Honda that hit him. Rest in peace, dear magical Subaru. We shall never forget you. Me ke Aloha Pumehana, Nick

Most likely the copper contacts in the solenoid, a very cheap, simple fix. Remove the starter, open the back of the solenoid and you'll see some "L" shaped copper contacts that are proabably pitted/burned/worn. Good luck.

Welcome to the USMB! "On an unrelated topic"--are you sure it's the oil pan gasket that's leaking? More common is valve cover gaskets leaking--a relatively easy fix. Or possibly the front crank or cam seals, hidden behind the timing belt covers. Best bet is to give the engine a good cleaning underneath then inspect regularly to find the track of the leak. Others will chime in about the alternator. Good luck.

Mods--please move this thread to New Gen Forum.

Welcome to the USMB. Have you owned Subarus in the past? What are your impressions of the BRZ so far?

Here's what I did a few years back--has been working well ever since: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/39122-headlight-connector-go-poof/?hl=%2Bheadlight+%2Bpoof Good luck.

You're in the right place, general! Welcome to USMB. If you post your technical and fix-up questions in the "Old Generation" forum you'll get more response. Good luck with your Loyale!

Thanks for the update. Is she still running good? Ready for that long trip? I'd suggest you ask your suspension questions in the New Generation forum--you'll get more response there. KYB struts are generally considered the best replacements. Or maybe you could find used at a Pull n' Pay yard--or at the used parts website. Good luck!

Welcome to USMB! Sorry to hear about your leaking and hatch lock problems. Suggest you post your questions in the "New Generation" forum--you'll get a lot of suggestions and help there. (The first suggestion will probably be "stay away from dealerships!") Good luck.

Welcome to the USMB--the best place for Subie advice! And Happy Holidays--Merry Chrismas--Happy New Year to you.

In that case, I am quite knowledgable.

Welcome to USMB, Sumanth. Sorry to hear about your bad luck with the tires. I have no experience with your driving conditions but I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions. You might get more responses if you post your question in the New Gen forum. Good luck!

Hi Chrisbaru--welcome aboard. This was my experience a few years back: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/39122-headlight-connector-go-poof/?hl=%2Bheadlight+%2Bpoof Hope it helps a bit. Good luck.

Welcome to USMB, erin. Nice car--nice pix. Love the reflected warm cloud coloring you captured. Many happy miles to you.