Kwhistle

Well, the coolant is orange, so it's almost like some of it evaporated leaving deposits, like what you'd get from boiling water. Same stuff was covering the sensor that I replaced. Is that typical to have that? Otherwise, I can only think that the PO used tap water instead of distilled water, and I probably have limescale all over the engine.

So I replaced the coolant temp sensor recently, and it had a layer of orange stuff literally baked onto it. I looked into the coolant reservoir when replacing some of the coolant that leaked out when I was replacing the sensor and noticed that there was tons of orange-colored dirt, as if the coolant evaporated leaving this orange powder all over. I assume this is pretty bad and I should flush. So is there a good flush procedure, or is it just drain, run some water through it from a garden hose, drain, distilled water, idle for 5 mins, drain, refill with antifreeze? What about products like Peak radiator flush? Which brand antifreeze should I use? The Subaru stuff is way too expensive, and I googled somewhere that Peak Global is essentially the same. What about Peak Long Life (not "Global")? It say that it's silicates and phosphates free, so would that work?

Thanks for all the advice. Just checked all the fuses--they are fine. And checked the wire with a circuit tester--also fine. I guess it's the unit itself.

How would I check the power? I'm pretty good with DIY, but never done any electrical on cars. Do I use one of those screwdrivers with light? Where would I attach the negative connector? BTW, I used these instructions to wire in the aux, so really can't take much of the credit for that: http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=14168

Seems like another day, another problem... I've got a 98 OBW, original stereo/CD. A few months back I successfully wired in a aux jack to connect my ipod there. All was fine till I replaced the carpet about a week ago and apparently pulled some of the aux jack wires in process. Took the stereo out, fixed up all the wires, but now the clock/radio setting memory is gone. Everything else works, but it is awfully annoying and I can't figure it out. Any suggestions here? Anyone knows which is the "memory" wire on the harness (and how to test it to make sure it's not the wire)?

thanks! Guess I'll be off to a hardware store for some bug spray.

So I've been looking to replace carpet on the cheap. Would've been $50 at a local junk yard, but there is a bit of a hornet problem. Has anyone ever pulled one out? Just wondering if it absolutely has to be molded, or if I could just buy some carpet at HomeDepot and cut to fit the car. Or if anyone is parting a car with a good grey to black carpet and wouldn't mind shipping, would be most grateful.

Thanks for all the advice. So if I got it right, I'll have to take off some of the things atop this access hole in order to get to it? Haven't had a chance to actually take a peek in there yet, but how much work is it?

That's how I was planning on taking it out. There was even a video of this somewhere. It's putting it back together that concerns me. So if I got it right, I can just stick a long high-strength bolt through this hole (arrows)? Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I have a 98 OBW. I remember reading about some access hole where I can stick a heavy duty bolt to lock the engine in order to deal with the crank pulley. Where do I look for it. If anyone's got a picture would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

LOL, thanks. Nope, dealt with that in NY... I do move around quite a bit, hopefully not for much longer...

I just got a job offer in California, and really wonder if I could take my 98 OBW there. From what I read on official web sites, it seems I'll just have to pay a 300 bucks fee+registration+smog check. On the other hand, I've heard some horror stories. Anyone had any experience with this? Any suggestions?

I definitely get a good drip of water under the car. Tried Lysol spray today, as suggested, a fair amount into outside vents, a bit on the inside of the car, a bit into the vents on the inside. Now my car smells like Lysol so not sure if it solved the issue, but sure hope so.

I did it after just because it's easier to get there that way. I just fix up things on my car at home and not on a lift, and I'd say it worked out better this way. Don't think it really matters overall. I was just really careful to count the rotations when I was taking the tie rod out as to not screw up the alignment. Also marked the threads with whiteout before taking out the outer tie rod to make sure I can put new one at the right spot even if I screw up counting the rotations. BTW, Beck/Arnley brand outer tie rod end from RockAuto was marked as genuine Subaru, and it was pretty inexpensive.

I did it recently, and the autozone loaner tool worked really well. It's the small pitman arm puller. The only thing about it, the bolt on the puller doesn't center on the tie rod bolt, so I had to stick a wrench under it and over the tie rod end bolt. It was out in less than a minute. The jam nut was a real hassle to get off though. Had to soak it in penetrating lubricant for good half an hour.

@NV Zeno I'd have to say more or less so, but not 100% about this. It definitely became more notorious in the last week or so. @Rooster2 I searched for it, but couldn't find it. Seems like most people asking about oil or gas smell, but nothing about interior.

Thanks, but I just don't think any of it an issue. I cleaned the car very toughly, removed the front seats even, vacuumed everywhere including sticking vacuum hose into the vents, carpet cleaner, even took off seat covers and laundered them twice (the first time around the water in washer looked just gross). There is definitely no food remnants anywhere and the carpet is all dry. Plus I'm parking outside and it's pretty hot. And the windows are usually cracked open. So I'm really puzzled by this, really don't see where it could be coming from.

Not sure what happened, but my 98 OBW been smelling like some cross of a mold and wet dog for the past couple weeks. Any suggestions on getting rid of it?

I get a mild shimmy intermittently at highway speed. One of the inner tie rod ends had some play, so I had that replaced, and the shimmy diminished, but hasn't gone away. So I was thinking it could be because of my pass side front wheel is pretty banged up, not 100% sure of it though. Or could it be the sway bar links? Other than that, it's my first Subaru, and it's a pretty old one with almost 200k, so I don't have much to compare it to. Have several Camrys in the family, but they are much newer, and they do ride/corner smoother. Cornering on my OBW is not awful, but then I wouldn't know if it could/should be better. How would I know for sure if the links need to be replaced?

Thanks. I made a small video of one of the rear links. Trying to post the link, but it gets all messed up... is liking videos not allowed? Hope this link works, just one short video: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyCarIssues That's the driver side rear, the pass side is the same, as is the passenger side front. It's as if it hangs pretty lose on the top bolt, and you can hear clicks when I'm moving it around.

Was changing oil in my 98 OBW and noticed that the sway bar link on the passenger side is loose. It clearly had some play when I grabbed it, and one of the bushings on the joint itself (not the one that holds the sway bar to the body) looks in a bad shape, rubber is all cracked. Is this the time to replace? Should I replace just one, or both sides? Any brand is better than others?

Thanks guys! No, no play there. Just a little grease came off the top when I was taking out/installing it.

I had to replace the boot that goes over the inner tie rod. Had some trouble loosening the jam nut, so the whole tie rod was all over the place. Once I finally got it off, noticed that there was a small amount of grease leaking from the boot on the outer tie rod end. There is a ring restricting the boot at the larger diameter, but nothing on top. I pried the boot with a screwdriver and injected some grease in there -- I have a small syringe I packed with grease -- but it seems like a little bit was still seeping out of it. How bad is it? Should I replace the tie rod end or not worry about it for the time being, since there are no problems otherwise?

heh, that could be it... hell I don't wanna change the rotors just yet, and they are too thin for machinning. Guess gonna get in there tomorrow and see what it is. Hopefully, like adema2626 said, a small rock stuck in there. The pads are pretty fresh, about 2 months, shouldn't be an issue. Thanks!

I have a 98 OBW. Noticed some sort of a low grinding noise from the passenger side at low speed. Seemed to be coming out of the pass side front wheel well, but I didn't notice anything there. The undercar covers are fine too, not loose, not touching the wheel or the ground. Any ideas?