eiremed

my parents have a 2000 subaru legacy wagon. just recently, they are unable to fill this gas tank with full flow on the nozzle. there is back pressure for some reason. it doesn't resolve with trying different angles or depths of the nozzle. they have to trickle the gas in at a very slow rate to fill it. but, inevitably, they are able to fill it. any thoughts about why this would be happening? strange, right?

sweet! thanks guys! looks and sounds pretty simple. appreciate the tips on the battery, too. got enough sparks in my life already.

how difficult is it to change out the alternator in this thing? is this something a newbie should attempt? how much time should i expect to spend versus having a pro do it? having a hard time resisting the temptation to tinker zzz

porcupine73, sweet! thanks! i'll check it out tonight when i get home. looks like a real PITA to get to. i knew something was wrong with those haynes directions. thanks for the tip on the teflon tape. i was already to go with that. i did notice that the new sensor i bought has a copper washer with it. guess that's the sealing washer? cheers, craig

trying to replace the ECT sensor. bought a new one (so, i know what i'm looking for). have the haynes manual (so, i supposedly know where to look). but, neither my father nor i can find the damn thing!! i have a 1996 EJ22 legacy L wagon. can someone post a picture or more clear coordinates than the one diagram in the haynes manual? thanks!! craig

thanks for the responses! i'll go to autozone this weekend and have them check the code(s) setting off the "check engine" light and look forward to changing one or all of the above sensors. sounds pretty easy, AND i just got my Hayne's manual in the mail yesterday. nothin' more dangerous than a nooby armed with a little knowedge . craig

is this a DIY for a nooby?

huh? :-\ thanks! sounds like they are unrelated issues then. i guess i need to get one or more of the above sensors checked and replaced. another day, another dollar . . . craig

wondering if the grease from the torn CV boot could be dirtying one these sensors? if so, which one and can i temporize the problem by cleaning it intermittently until i get the axle assembly changed? thanks for the responses craig

I've had some trouble starting my 1996 Legacy L Wagon. I took it to a garage and the guy said a couple of the "sensors" were dirty. Not sure what sensors they were. He cleaned them and it started fine for about 6 months. Now I'm back to the same problem. It starts great in the morning or after it has sat for a solid 4 hours. But, if I stop to go into a store it either won't start or it takes a litany of four letter words and beating on the steering wheel (usually a combination of both). I have a badly torn CV boot on the front passenger side which splatters grease all over that area including the cat conv. My question is: Is one of these "sensors" somewhere around that area? Can I just clean it off myself until I get the new axle assembly installed? (BTW, I have ordered the Haynes manual, so i'll have a better idea about the anatomy in this area once I receive it. Until then, I'm as clueless as a monkey.) Thanks Craig

So, I'm confused. It's better to go with a used or reman axle than a brand new one? That doesn't make any sense. Or, is it that it's better to get one with a lifetime warranty rather a ltd warranty because the damn thing's gonna break regardless?

I found a "brand new" front axle assembly at www.racepages.com for $67.85. It looks like the brand is "CVU". That seems like the cheapest around. Anyone have any experience with these? I did a USMB search and a Google search with no luck. Any input is much appreciated for this completely inexperienced mechanic. craig

thanks again for all the replies! it sounds like a pretty simple fix. are there any special tools i'll need for this job? where is the best place to get the parts on-line? can anyone suggest exactly which parts i'll need? cheers, craig

the photo is misleading. there isn't a hole in the "green thing". that's oil sort of caked on the outside of the thing. i figured that was the cat-converter below it. it seems like the oil is dripping down on to the cat-converter and actually causing the smoke. so, is it possible that the oil is leaking out of this CV joint because the gear-box is over-filled with oil? it would seem to me that this is a bit of a fire hazard, too? should i worry about that? thanks for your input guys. craig

recently purchased 1996 legacy wagon. it has been smelling of smoke and last night i noticed a small amount of smoke from the hood. upon inspection i noticed it was coming from the passenger side of the engine down low. this is what was smoking (the green thing): what is it? i checked the oil and realized that it is overfilled. could that be causing this? any help would be much appreciated. cheers, craig