OldBlue

Recently purchased an '85 Subaru GL 2wd. There seem to be a few problems with the engine revs, namely: 1) On startup, I have to pump the gas to keep it from dying (if I don't, it will die every time on the first key turn but start ok on the second) and usually rev it at ~3K rpm for 1-2 minutes before I can drive. I know it's an old car but. . . 2) The idle seems high, although the previous owner may have just cranked it up due to the problem above. . . 3) I can be cruising the freeway in 5th gear and the revs will jump from 3K to 4.5K and stay that way for awhile, then jump back to 3K. I've seen it do it in other gears as well in other ranges (3-3.5K, then back, etc.) Any thoughts? I checked the vaccuum lines and I know there are some minor problems there (i.e. - one of them has a golf tee plugging it) but I haven't been able to figure out where it should go yet from my Chilton's manual. Thanks.

Thanks, everyone. I was pretty sure running it w/o p/s fluid was bad but an earlier post confused me a bit. I took your advice and inspected the lines and, sure enough, the nut connecting the p/s line to the resevoir was loose so I tightened, refilled, bled the air, and away I went! 15 minute repair (and at work, none the less - I had extra p/s fluid and a crescent wrench handy!) Now on to the engine rev problems. . . (see next post) Thanks! OldBlue

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the replies. My biggest concern was the apparent smoke coming from under the hood right after this happened. I'm pretty sure it was just burning some of the power steering fluid that leaked but I want to make sure. Am I to understand that I can drive it without power steering fluid? I don't mind not having power steering but was worried that if I drove it in its current condition it would be bad for something (everything!) I'll check all the hoses and then the pump and let everyone know what I find. Justyn

Hey there! Complete newbie so please excuse any obvious questions I ask. Just bought an '85 Subaru 2wd GL station wagon. Today on my drive to work, as I was making a U-turn, the power steering (PS) began screaming at me and smoke started to come out from under the hood. I pulled over and parked it and, sure enough, there's a nice puddle of steering fluid under the car. Questions: 1) I'm assuming this is the PS pump although I'll be checking all of the hoses. Any advice on replacing this? How much should one run at the junkyard? 2) What are the odds I've done damage to the PS system and will need to replace more than the pump? 3) Any advice on the install, etc.? I'll be doing it myself. Thanks! Justyn '85 2wd GL Station Wagon - Old Blue "You're my boy, Blue!"