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Sez it's ethylene glycol based... Well...what do you guys think of this? Orange: An Extended Life, single-phase, ethylene glycol based antifreeze based on an extended life carboxylate inhibitor system suitable for use in all types of automotive engines. Examples: ShellZone Dexcool Concentrate and Ready to Fill (50/50 Pre-Mixed), Pennzoil Dex-Cool Extended Life concentrate and Ready to Fill (50/50 Pre-Mixed).

Is there any big difference between the green-colored coolant and the other ones? My Dad bought a jug of yellow (Shell, I think) stuff and I was wondering if it's ok to use... Thanks, --Damien

I had a 96 OBW with a 4EAT with a bad solenoid. It would bind a little on turns and 'clunk' when shifting into gears. I drove it like that for over 100,000 miles... It also had a 2.2L engine in there instead of the stock 2.5 and it drove just fine.... I took good care of it tho...unlike some people I know who just jump in them and drive like bats out of hell... --Damien

Right...that's what I thought. I read about other guys who did just that and it leaked. Cheers! --Damien

I noticed the newer version 4EATs have a spin-on external filter. Is it a standard oil filter or someting specific to the transmission? Is it worthwhile changing it? --Damien

awesome tip...thanks!

Well I had the time today to inspect the PS fluid more closely and I thought there was a mix of fluids in there but actually the Dexron was very badly burned. So I flushed what was in the reservoir and put in a mix of Dexron, regular 'power steering' fluild and some conditioner I bought on sale for a single buck (just for the heck of it). The so-called power steering fluid does seem to be basically the same thing as Dexron...it had a slightly sweet smell like Dexron (but colorless) and seemed to have the same characteristics (viscosity, surface tension etc.) End result is the steering whines a little less and the vehicle has some more 'pick-up'. Cheers! --Damien

Just a final note...the 'Cardone Select' axles that were installed do seem to be holding up much better than the FEQs that were in there before. I've gone about a thousand miles or so on them I really haven't heard any of the symptoms that happened right out of the box with the FEQs (in spite of the freeplay about the axle stub).

geez...more chemistry homework. Thanks for the nice explanation, tho... Cheers! --Damien

It sure does says that but me nose sez somethin' else. I'm skeptical cuz there's a lot of marketing hoopla regarding all that...hydraulic fluid and ATF may be of the same base oils...I'm not a professional chemist so I don't know for sure. Dexron II III IV may be exactly the same stuff but I suppose they market them differently in the hopes brand loyalty or advertising works.

Well there's some kind of mix in there now...we just got a used Forester to replace an Outback which is nearly rusted out (and deserves to die a dignified death). I bought a small bottle of conventional PS fluid and a quick look seemed to indicate that the base oils are the same... :-/ --Damien p.s. If I wipe the grease off I'll get me paws dirty and I won't be able to be so alliterative!

Is Dexron interchangable with so-called 'power steering fluid'? They seem to have the same base oil but I would guess Dexron may have some additives in it.... The power steering fluid is grayish and no sweet odor... Thanks, --Damien

Well...just like Tarzan said...'There is the Law of Man...but also the Law of the Jungle'. Damien -- Praise the Lord...and pass the Thorazine!

I've seen that on my set of wheels, too. Like a half quart would just appear...like out of nowhere. Crude oil, apparently, does grow on trees. :-D Cheers! --Damien

OIC...they probably just put it in there to sell more O2 sensors to suckers who hate the CEL light... Reason why I'm concerned mainly is cuz there are some electrical issues (I think it may be a bad ground somewhere) and I'm trying to pin down what it could be cuz they charge a fortune at the shop to diagnose and my usual mechanic doesn't give a s--- unless it's really broken. I whipped out my handy multimeter and checked everywhere I could for grounding issues...so far I haven't found anything amiss....I'm guessing it could be the alternator. The odd thing is that the new battery honestly seemed to boost pickup but worsened the other symptoms it was having. I guess six of one may cost half dozen of the other... --Damien

Well work like that is pretty much off-limits for the likes of me. Around here repair guys are all 'in business' and expect to make money. Awful weather is non-existent here but debtor prison is not. I drive my Sube pretty gingerly anyway. Cheers! --Damien

I'd use a 20 instead of a single. Jackson likes it when you blow-dry his hair!

Yeah that's how I usually am...repairs are expensive anyway. They usually whack us over the head with the bill!

Well I did do that...and changed the battery (the old one was getting a little weak). Admittedly, the new battery does affect performance. I'm going to inspect the wiring today if I can...it could be a ground issue as well or maybe the alternator is going. In any case it doesn't seem to be serious...it still gets normal gas mileage.

OIC....there's a heating element built right in there. I guess it would be a wiring issue then but I can other factors cause the ECU to generate that code?

Well I read that that code comes on when it doesn't heat up quickly enough to operating temperature...indicating some sort of malfunction.. There is a heater element builtin the unit itself? I don't understand.... If that is true why wasn't a code triggered with the old parts in there? They were leaking all over the place.... Maybe it's also because the computer thinks it's an EJ25 in there.... --D

I recently got both cat converters replaced and now I'm getting a P0141 code. It doesn't come on at first...but after I drive it, stop and start it up again then it comes on. This leads me to believe that it's not a wiring or instrument issue but possibly a lean mixure due to a clogged fuel/air filter...dirty injector ports...ethanol fuel.. Perhaps also different exhaust components may change aspiration characteristics enough (3 of 5 exhaust components are aftermarket). What do you guys think? I'm concerned because they may not inspect it with that code there.... --Damien

Yeah...then I guess they are fine. I gave it that check.....it does seem to dampen the oscillation with little bounce. If a spring were broken I'm sure I'd notice it right away,

It does bounce some...I'll probably just leave it...the mere thought of getting it fixed is giving me a headache.

I don't see any leakage but there is some rust...it does make some noise...like a creaking/groaning...but now it's warmer outside it doesn't make that noise anymore. Are struts gas or fluid filled? Thanks, --Damien