vic622

I'm a bit worried about incompatible fluids, do you figure they shouldn't react with each other?

I hope its easier to do than it is to write it up Thanks for the explaination, I might just do this, soon. Even if I'm don't need to worry about the wrong fluid, I have no idea when the system was last flushed. Good excuse to do it now, ... As soon as my driveway unthaws. Vic

How long ago?

So one of these days all makers will make mechanical parts that require the fluid that shares the same name as the part... Case in point: Call me an idiot. I have a power steering pump that has a leak and I've been checking it and keeping it topped up since I got the car last summer. Somewhere along the line I started topping it with power steering fluid intead of ATF It doesn't seem to be losing any more fluid than before, so what do I do now: a) Pretend like nothing happened and top it up with ATF? Drain the resevoir, system and rack & refill with ATF (can this be done)? c) R & R the pump & rack and fill with ATF (only!)? d) Or?

Amazing how something that seems so major, can be solved so easily! Just in case, as soon as it gets nice outside I'll do another fluid & filter change. Now, if only changing spark plugs was this easy ...

I ordered the NGK GP BKR5EGP platinum plugs and a set of NGK FX50 plug wires online, they should be in next week or so. The best price I found, including shipping, was $67 from a place in California, RockAuto. I'm getting them shipped to Montana & I'll pick them up. A couple of other places actually had a bit better prices (~$5-10), but they wouldn't accept CDN credit cards on the website or by phone Looking forward to busting a few knuckles when the parts get here Thanks for the help, Vic

Actually, of all the chains, CT is the easiest to find. I've got two within 1/2hr-45mins drive (Fernie & Cranbrook). Also there are NAPA's & Bumper to Bumpers, but none of the other chains. Either way, they all have very poor stock outside of the typical - Ford, GMC, Mopar + standard apps for European & Asian cars. Anything else is special order I'm close to the US border, so I can go down to Montana and hit the Carquest & NAPA or drive a bit further (+1hr) and go to Kalispell and have a very good selection. Vic

I see you're from Belleville, ON, where did you find the plugs - specialty shop, chain store, online? I live in the middle of nowhere, about 3.5hrs drive west of Calgary, AB so I have fun getting parts in my area. Any help finding a ~reasonably~ priced parts source would be appreciated. Vic

Thanks, that's a good thing to keep in mind & I hadn't thought of it. At 325,000km, I suppose it qualifies as high mileage Vic

Just thought I'd add my intro to the list. Found out about the board from the mechanic at the Suby dealership close to home. These guys are awesome - they know the $'s are rude, but they aren't! I'm currently running a 98 Legacy Outback Wagon with about 325,000km on it. Picked it up this past summer so I didn't have to try to get through another Rocky Mountain winter with a 2wd Ford F150 Happy with it so far. Had a few things to take care of when I bought it, including getting rid of the dreaded tight turning judders. Did an AT fluid & filter change and it disappeared - whew, dodged a bullet on that one. This is my 2nd Suby. the first was an 83 Loyale Wagon 4wd - man I liked that Hi-Low range. I wish they didn't take it out on the newer models, would have been nice for backroads around here Vic

Thanks Kwhistle, After reading all the posts about using the right plugs, I was a bit skittish about using the regular plat's instead of the big buck ones. Glad to know someone has used them with no problems. Considering they aren't that much more expensive than the coppers, I think I'll be giving them a try. Vic

Were they the Platinums or the Coppers? Vic

I've used Bosch plat's before - they were great on my slightly modified '73 Datsun 510, but like you said, there's a bunch of folks here who aren't fans of using them in the Suby & if the NGK's are about the same $, are available & recommended, I'll go with them. Especially if it means not changing out a bum set of plugs and saving my knuckles in the process ... yes, that means I've scanned the forum for info on changing plugs Vic

So here's the info I got from http://www.ngk.com. These are the plugs they recommend for the 98, same for all 96-99. (Ignoring the Iridium, for now) Does anyone know what/if there's any performance difference between the Double platinum & the GP platinum? Likewise, between the Trad & V-Power coppers? And the original question, is there a performance diff between the platinums & coppers? (prices are NGK's $US) Bottom line is I change plugs 1x or 2x a year, if I know that they are working properly - even with a skinned knuckle or two Vic Spark Plugs NGK Double Platinum PFR5B-11 .044" DOHC $12.06 Subaru manual/dealer suggested plugs NGK IX iridium BKR5EIX-11 .044" DOHC $7.83 NGK Laser Iridium Long Life IFR5E-11 .044" DOHC $12.06 NGK GP platinum BKR5EGP .044" DOHC $3.15 NGK Traditional spark plug BKR5ES-11 .044" DOHC $2.89 NGK V-power spark plug BKR5E-11 .044" DOHC $2.89

First post to the board! I've got a 98 OBW and I need to know the difference between the platinum vs copper NGK plugs. The book/dealer calls for the PFR5B-11 (NGK platinum) plugs @ $17/ea ($CDN) Cheapest I can find online is ~$12 ($US) + freight. What is the difference between the PFR5B-11 and a regular PFR5B (no wide gap number)? Can I use these and just gap them to factory spec (0.039-0.043")? Is there a difference, other than life expectency, between the PFR5B-11 platinum and the equivalent NGK coppers? What plug would that be, a BKR5B-11 or what? I'm a fan of platinums & have used them for years in other cars/trucks including my first Suby, an '83 Loyale 4wd. I just can't stomach $68 for a set of plugs! Help! Vic