aba4430

Lately, the temp. gauge on the 87 Brat was rising more than typical - typical being touching the middle point, but a tad above. Especially at stop lights with the Brat idling. I use an OEM (~192 deg. thermostat). The two fans would eventually come on with the A/C, but not without the A/C - or I had no patience waiting for the fans to come on without the A/C. I thought the thermo switch was faulty. Drained the radiator last week-end and tried to undo the thermo switch. The entire fitting on the radiator fatigued and came out with the thermo switch. Ordered a B&A thermo switch from Rock Auto (much cheaper than buying local). Ordered a new radiator from Advance (Lifetime warranty), so it was free. Yesterday replaced the radiator with the new thermo switch. Everything works as normal now. The two fans come on without the A/C on, with the engine hot, and cycle on-off typically. The Brat is happy again. Received a pair of the following Hella driving lamps from Amazon last week; http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-005860031-Series-Halogen-Driving/dp/B000VUALVW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1379854625&sr=8-5&keywords=Hella+450. Each was a set and included the bulb, mounting hardware, stone guard and instructions. These will replace the pitted Bosch lamps on the Brat soon. Mounting will be identical, and the existing wires will work. I had ordered Hella 550's a few weeks ago, but that order did not work out.

One observation; not related to your issues - Are you missing a radiator ground. This is one that connects the radiator to the right upper fan shroud bolt??

What is your mpg? Are you saying you increased your mpg by 18 - 20 after you switched to a Weber?

http://nationalcarburetors.com/cat-subaru.html

That is the AC idle up vacuum unit. When the AC is on, it increases the idle by pulling on the throttle arm on the carb. I have one on my 87 Brat, but it does not work. Would you be able to post the vacuum hose arrangement to this vacuum unit. Separately, it should not hurt anything to leave it adjusted like you have until you can sort your carb out.

Ordered the last pair of these Hella 550 driving lamps in stock at Amazon today for @$22.50 a piece. Price has gone up a good bit since my order. These will replace the ~15 year old Bosch fogs with very pitted glass lenses. Night time driving should be better.

I have driven a 2012 Outback with CVT and it felt remarkably good and I was pleasantly surprised - car was very responsive and had a peppy feel to it. My daughter has a 2013 Suzuki SX4 SportBack with a CVT. It does not feel as refined at very low speeds (crawling in traffic), but feels exceptional at normal and highway speeds, very positive. I would not worry about the new CVT equipped Subaru vehicles; Subaru claims that they have further refined their CVTs on the 2013 cars (v/s previous years). With respect to HG issues, we have a 2008 Impreza OBS with @53K miles with no HG issues. As above, Subaru has fixed their HG issues on the 2.5 motors. PS. Rooster2, I don't believe the Kia Optima is/was offered with a CVT; perhaps you drove another car.

Hi, Can you let me know where you found this section. I have been looking for this information for a while as well. The A/C in my 87 Brat works, but I would like to fix the vacuum A/C idle up feature on the Brat. Thx.

I have used Denso or NGK plugs on our Subaru and Nissans. Both are exceptional brands. Currently running the Denso PW20TT on the '87 Brat.

Picture request: Do you also have the idle-up vacuum switch control diagram for the dealer installed A/C (EA81 cars; mine is a 87 Brat)?

Complete brake fluid flush, balanced wheels (what a difference) and adjusted parking brakes and lever stroke. The PB was totally useless prior to the adjustment.

Completed coolant flush with Subaru LL coolant. Used 4 gallons of DIW to flush out 4 separate times. Next time will use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-Airlift-Cooling-Checker/dp/B0002SRH5G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358115241&sr=8-1&keywords=coolant+lift You get slightly over a gallon out when draining the radiator, but it gets old - adding DIW, getting the engine hot, draining and repeating etc. With the airlift device it would have been much simpler/faster. Also added a bottle of Subaru (Holts) conditioner. It is a brown, rust colored suspension with off white colored flakes. If the Subaru engineers say it is OK, will not argue. Replaced cabin air filter; now to do a brake fluid flush, and possibly replace pads.

http://www.nationalcarburetors.com/cat-subaru.html Try these folks also. They should be cheaper. I got a National carb a few years ago, but through ADAP and paid a lot more. The carb is working well.

This is on a 08 OBS - Yesterday, changed plugs (NGK Laser Platinum), air filter (Sub OEM), main drive belt (Sub OEM) and AC drive stretch fit belt (Gates Micro-V stretch fit). Today, replaced oil and filter (Castrol Edge and Bosch Distance Plus). Need to do brakes, flush brake fluid, and replace coolant soon. Will swap out cabin air filter tomorrow, and pick up a gallon of Subaru LL (not super blue) coolant for the coolant flush. Car has 49850 miles and chugging along nicely.

About 2 weeks ago, coming out of Sam's - found a note left on my 87 Brat, asking would I sell it, with the person's phone number.

It is part number 417207010, and is @$21. Still available. http://www.worldpartsexpress.com/parts/1987/Subaru/BRAT/index.cfm?searchText=417207010&siteid=214078&year=1987&make=SUBARU&model=BRAT&submodel=&vehicleid=1267769

Not sure how you got the old axle removed. However, removal of the control arm pivot bolt, the two leading rod bolts/nuts (and not sure of the tie rod from the knuckle) have to be removed. To put back in, you need to thread the axle through the knuckle first prior to putting the transmission side on. Another way is to disconnect the knuckle assembly from the strut, but that is more of a pain.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/part-finder/slide-show/1990/Subaru/Legacy/ref=au_pf_dp_lf_ladp_3_4?ie=UTF8&carId=011&partsNode=15724081 As said above, do the whole kit. Here are some options. Get new clips etc. from the dealership. You will not have to worry about this at least for several thousand miles.

Drive another one. Was this new or used, at the dealer lot, or a private party? Could have been a defective one. We had a 12 Outback as a loaner while the AC on our 08 OBS was being repaired and the CVT equipped car felt quite responsive, no slippage etc. The Subaru CVTs (and others these days) are good.

We have an 08 OBS with auto. Generally been happy with it. Has @43.5K miles on it now. Some minor annoyances include: Squeeking A/C belt - comes on and off. However, I will replace soon. A/C had to be repaired under warranty - The evaporator had a minor leak and was losing refrigerant. The dealership did a great job, putting everything back together. They left the radio antenna unplugged - no big deal, I took care of this. Under low speed load conditions, there is a resonance/drone/vibration heard momentarily. I took care of this by placing some strips of weather seal tape from HD under 3 or 4 points of the air intake duct on the left front top of the engine. Recently, the cruise, traction and CELs came on and believe the cruise was flashing. Since family is on a trip, my son just undid the battery and reconnected it - they travelled fine after that. The TPS WL randomly started to flash last winter, but this self corrected and no issues since then. The paint on the hood is prone to chips etc. I will get this resprayed when the family returns from vacation. The sun shades are a problem. They must have upgraded these to be more adjustable within the stops. The drivers side was replaced under warrantly as it broke, and we can leave it in any position. The passenger side can only be adjusted to two positions (like the original driver's side). The car is decent, handles well (I have added the 09 WRX rear stabilizer bar set-up, simple bolt on install), brakes very well, is put together well. Mileage around town is 24-25. On the expressway (family trip up) with 4 adults, the family got 28.5 mpg, quite decent. If you have specific questions, send me a PM, and I will do my best to answer.

Great job. What is that curved pipe looking thing on the left side? Is it the gas filler pipe?

I have the Bosal. Bought it a few years ago from a AZ store in VA. Just looked at AZ and they do show it, but its unavailable.

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-W0133-1628608-HIT-Ignition-Coil/dp/B001HLZ6JG/ref=sr_1_19?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1342693535&sr=1-19&keywords=hitachi+coil Here is an option for the Hitachi coil. I use it on the 87 Brat. I have the one I removed in perfect condition, but without the bracket. Send me a PM if interested.

2 699901010 bearng $37.98 $75.96 The price does not reflect the 15% discount. Subaruparts.com periodically sends the 15% coupons.

Tires have less than $4K miles, Kumho Solus (believe KR21's) in 185/70R13 size. It could also need an alignment etc., after the bushing replacements. Will update.