svxpert

<<Is the rear separator cover something that WOULD have been replaced when trans was repaired?>> no, not usually. that cover is on the engine, the place that did the tranny could have done it to add some money to your bill, but its not part of the tranny. whats the milage on your SVX? have you had the timing belt replaced? I can do those repairs for a fraction of what the dealer offered. E-mail me if you want some prices. thanks subarueast@yahoo.com

<<I just had a used manual transmission installed in my 98 forester.>> They didn't replace a $30 bearing? Sounds like you need a new shop after you make them put it in at no charge! Can I dare ask how much the bill was for the use tranny instal?

if you don't have a lift, i take out the engine for a clutch job. you need a engine hoist though. i hate messing with trannys when i;m lying on the ground!

I have done 2 clutch jobs in my shop in the last month. Each time, i have recommended the kit that subaru sells. I comes with the clutch disk, pressure plate, and flywheel&bearing. Then I just order the throwout bearing and your set. I usually charge $650 for the service.

<<So does anyone know if Subaru's procedure inclures burping the coolant system?>> yeah, anytime you loose coolant, you must refil and bleed the air out of the system. taking the fans off causes you to remove the upper rad hose, thus loosing coolant.

NJ has the most strict inspection in the country (other than Ca). airbag lite on won't fail inspection here. put a piece of tape over it if your worried it will fail.

<<any ideas would help. i have already found another turbo, but an engine will not be easy (providing the dealership does not want to fix)>> why do you think the dealership wouldn't fix it? its still under warranty right? i would just take it to them and have it fixed instead of getting "advise" here and trying to fix it yourself.

in a 5 speed, i have never seen them leak. gear lube is alot thicker than ATF thats in the auto.

<<i guess the rear main will go before the clutch...>> the only time i saw a rear main leak is from an engine that sat for a few years and then used. the seal dried up, then started to leak. you'll get a leak from the backing plate before the rear main seal.

<<I think the fan should be coming on when the gauge is 1/4 but it doesn't come on until it's 1/2 why?>> the simple answer is because its only a gauge. it could be wrong. any decent mechanic, i mean what i do is stick a thermometer into the rad as the car warms up and as i blead the air out. the thermometer should open around 195* and the fans come on around the same time. thats when you can tell the fans are operating properly i use a select monitor to get an exact temp from the ECU.

<<The mechanic mentioned to me that there are two fan speeds. A lower speed when it first warms up and a higher speed when it passes a certain threshold. it seems like it's never coming on for the lower speed but it does come on for the higher speed (about halfway on the gauge). Does anyone know how I could diagnose this or find more detailed information on the cooling fan?>> if this is what he told you, your in need of a new mechanic. Have you blead the coolant system of air at all? or has your mechanic always done it?

timing off?

<<This could (and probably should) fall under the 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty, and therefore be 100% covered. The shudder is a know issue, stick by your guns, contact SOA directly and open up a case.>> no, the clutch is covered under the 12/12 wearable parts warranty. what they are likely going to do is check the clutch disk and they can tell if there is abuse. if so they won't honor the "discount". I just did a clutch job on "Mccall" last weekend. he got a great deal. Dealer wants about $1000, we did it for almost half that. P.M. me or mail me if you want a quote. thanks subarueast@yahoo.com

<<Or just tell me the engine code of my 99 Legacy (2.5 litre)>> EJ25

<< It is possible that I neglected to reconnect a plug if this car has an electrical sender on the trans for this purpose. Does anyone have a comment on this? Again, it is a 1997 Legacy Wagon with the 2.2 l SOHC engine.>> did you pull the engine or drop the trans? there is a connector on the trans that is your speed sensor. its located on the passenger side of the trans, right behind the dipstick. hope that helps.

i always lift the engine out if i'm going ot remove the heads. it only takes 30 minutes more and you can reseal the whole engine at this time.

<<Has anyone fitted the non turbo EG33 Legacy/Liberty 6cyl manual in a Forester ?>> the EG33 is a SVX engine. your talking about the EZ30 which is the 3.0 six. with money, anything is possible. not sure if i have heard that someone did that yet.

<<Boy I'm pretty sure the STI has a 2 litre not 2.5. >> I'm talking US spec STi's, thats what carlsturm would get in here in the states.

<<I thought Legacy GT & STI were both based on same engine & was hoping that cranking up the boost + an intercooler might do it?>> well, they are both 2.5's the setup is basicly the same, just some different internals. the Leg GT has an intercooler already, as does the turbo forester.

<<Since I have put on more than 1K since repair, I can now say Great Job SVXpert! Is there anything you can't do? I do get up to the Philly area at least once/year.>> thanks for the positive feedback. as for service, i don't have a hydo. press, so we don't do wheel bearings at this time. every other kind of service work we can do. I just cleaned out my P.M. box so if i missed anyones P.M.'s, send them again. thanks

<<It's time to change the head gaskets in my '99 Outback (81,600 miles). I'm putting together my shopping list, and I'm wondering about the t-belt tensioner and idlers. >> whats the reason to do the headgaskets? did the engine overheat? at 81K you won't need to worry about anything exept TB and maybe crank and cam seals. Do you have the cam "holding" tool for the DOHC?

<<My point, could anyone give me a rough estimate on how many miles an original engine and transmission last in a 92 SVX LsL if it were serviced regularly and was kept in average shape by a dedicated driver.>> This all depends on how the person serviced and took care of the car. I know of some SVX's that have 130,000 miles plus, with original trannys. I know of a few that have re-builds put in them every 30,000 miles. The most important thing is who works on you car and what credentials they have along with routine maintence by the owner.

one day when i retire i will be in Wyoming, absolutely love it out there! but, maybe if i find a garage and line up some cars, it might be worth the trip! i have done 4 timing belts in a day so thats 12 in a weekend............hmmmm....................

Ed, if you just want a timing belt and a water pump, the price will be $275. thanks

I have a shop in the south jersey area that only works on Subarus. My head mechanic is a Senior Subaru Master Tech that still works for Subaru. I have been over on the SVX Network (http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/) for a number of years. My shop specializes in 60/120K services and most all service work. (water, oil pump, engine re-seals ect.) Last sunner I ran a special of a $350 SVX 60/120K service. I had customers from New York, western Pa and even Conneticut come over for the service. I had a woman on here last month from Va for a timing belt replacement. I only use OEM parts, unless you supply them. in that case i can't stand by the part for any type of warranty if its aftermarket. I stand 110% behind my work and I don't think anyone can beat my prices. If anyone needs service work done, feel free to mail me or post on here, i will put the prices right out there for all to see. I'll respond to all my messages and e-mail later today. thanks ~ SVXPERT sorry for the cross post.