['93 tranny-desperately need advice]

Please, surely someone out there knows more about this. '93 Legacy, auto tran.- cooling hose blew, fluid sprayed all over. Hose replaced, fluid filled. It isn't performing right, too much rpm's too little speed. Lags, it feels like a manual when the clutch is about to blow, like its revving but not going forward equivalently. I would imagine there is some way to bleed tranny, but need recommendations, don't know how.

 

Please, please advise.

Subby lover,

lvdpb

[93 legacy transmission problem]

Stupid question from a simple person: You DO know to check the fluid level with the engine running and after it has been shifted through each gear, right? And you did add the ATF to the tranny and not the differential, right??? (Ok, that was 2 questions... I said that I was simple. :-p )

yes, fluid level checked properly, yes added to tranny. (I believe adding the tranny fluid into that absurdely small thing the tranny dipstick is in, is the right place, correct?)

 

I was wondering about bleeding the transmission fluid somehow, because it is a hydraulic system. Is there a standard way to do this? like brakes somehow?

[93 legacy transmission problem]

I have a good, sturdy, 1993 legacy sedan. The transmisison fluid cooler hose, that goes through the radiator burst open yesterday. We have replaced the hose and carefully filled tranny fluid, but the tranny is not engaging properly. It reminds me of how it feels to drive a standard while the clutch is wearing out. Lots of lag. Too much. The rpm's go up too far, the speed doesn't increase proportionately.

 

Other than replace the hose, what else should we consider, is there some trick to adding the fluid that we don't know (other than getting it in that goddamn small hole)?

thanks so much

['97 2.5 GT - '93 Leg. BIG QUESTION]

josh - thanks for that input. It is the way I am leaning. My gut feeling is that I should try and fix the '97, but I cannot do the head gasket myself. It'll have to go to a garage.......and what if the head is cracked? then I will have just screwed myself. Also, I've got 96K miles on it, aren't more things going to fall apart? But, god, how I love that car.

 

 

 

I'd probably just replace the headgasket. Far easier IMO then doing the motor swap and trying to deal with the issues that could arise.

 

If the motors were both new gen motors doing the motor swap might be easier....

['97 2.5 GT - '93 Leg. BIG QUESTION]

I understand the need for OBD2. But the '93 would pass emmissions too. So one way or another that part may work. I also wonder how the ECM would work with that engine. Would it understand it at all? I wish I could just trash all that electronic stuff, and run a car the way they used to. One thing I realy do not have it time. The '97 is my wheels, I have two teenagers who need to be driven everywhere. I log up to 1,000 miles a week. Gotta keep downtime to a minimal.

 

What do you think about replacing engine vs. fixing head gasket?

 

Thanks, L

 

 

 

This issue is a little more complicated regarding the OBD. OBD2 was implemented to standardized everything. Emission places now just plug into the computer, so the car needs to stay OBD2.

 

I know for a fact the idle air control valve has changed over the years, there may be a few other issues with wiring and such. Are they show-stopper issues. I don't really know. If you got the time to try it, go for it.

 

Yeah the tranny will work fine with the 2.2

['97 2.5 GT - '93 Leg. BIG QUESTION]

I don't really care about the OBDI vs. OBDII questions, as long as it would run. Do you think the sensors being different will be an insurmountable problem? gt is 1997 legacy, 1993 is a legacy sedan. I am not even sure what to consider due to the fact on is automatic (93) and one is standard (97), but the tranny in '97 is good, so that can stay I think? yes?

 

 

 

Is it a 97 gt, or 94 gt? I'm assuming 97.

 

The engine will physically bolt in, however some of the sensors and such have changed, so that may cause some issues. Also, the 93 engine setup is OBD1, and the 97 is OBD2.

['97 2.5 GT - '93 Leg. BIG QUESTION]

Would the engine from the 1993 legacy fit into the 1994 GT? Got head problems with '97, got body prob's with '93. Will the match? GT is a standard 5 speed, '93 legacy is auto.

[heart broken '97 GT]

I have loved my '97 Sub GT so much. But I think I must admit that the overheating problem is probably due to head gaskets, or even cracked head.

 

My question now is, fix or replace. I think I am too emotionally attached to the car to consider the options clearly. This has been the best car I have ever owned.

 

Too sad to think about it.

lvdpb

[Snow Tires? What Do You Like?]

I did not put snow tires on the back of the '93 legacy, it is only front wheel drive. I do own a '97 legacy, GT, 2.5 - I don't have to put snow tires on it at all. The awd control is great, but the front wheel drive with studded tires is an awsome vehicle in snow or ice.

 

I got stuck once in a nasty place with no phone, that is when I swore I would use studded tires on that car - I have stuck to it, and am very happy about it, even though everyone else thinks I am nuts.

lvdpb

 

 

Do you have them on the rear also? I always thought that was a prudent thing to do, especially with a Legacy (AWD - full time).

['97 legacy gt, 2.5 overheat prob. pleas help]

I have a '97 leg. gt. awd. Great car. No problems...until now. In July the temperature gauge suddenly would shoot up to hot, then in a mile or so (normal driving) it would come back to normal.

 

In September it finally totally overheated, blowing water and steam all over, wouldn't start again until cooled.

 

Now, it overheats constantly, within 5 miles.

 

- Thermostat replaced, thermostat checks out.

- Radiator fine

- no leak from water pump weep hole.

- fans operational

- new radiator cap installed

 

I am currently running it with NO thermostat at all and it does not overheat - though it does get hot when driven hard.

 

I DO NOT want this to be head gasket. There are NO other symptoms at all. Drives great, great power, truly no problems.

 

Ideas, help, anything would be truly appreciated.

lvdpb

subaru lover forever.

['97 legacy gt, 2.5 overheat prob. pleas help]

I have a '97 leg. gt. awd. Great car. No problems...until now. In July the temperature gauge suddenly would shoot up to hot, then in a mile or so (normal driving) it would come back to normal.

 

In September it finally totally overheated, blowing water and steam all over, wouldn't start again until cooled.

 

Now, it overheats constantly, within 5 miles.

 

- Thermostat replaced, thermostat checks out.

- Radiator fine

- no leak from water pump weep hole.

- fans operational

- new radiator cap installed

 

I am currently running it with NO thermostat at all and it does not overheat - though it does get hot when driven hard.

 

I DO NOT want this to be head gasket. There are NO other symptoms at all. Drives great, great power, truly no problems.

 

Ideas, help, anything would be truly appreciated.

lvdpb

subaru lover forever.

[Early legacy AWD 5-speed???]

I have '97 legacy gt, awd - fantastic car. wouldn't trade it for the world, cost $16 K used, about 40K miles on it.

Where the early Legacy wagons available in an AWD, or 4WD, 5-speed configuration??

 

Thanks

[Snow Tires? What Do You Like?]

I have a 1993 subaru legacy. I put studded snow tires on the front. My spouse thinks I am crazy, the garage guy thinks I am crazy -- BUT I never ever get stuck, never slide, have ultimate road grip -- its a great feeling, a little loud when there is no snow, but its a small price to pay for that amount of control in bad weather. I live in CT also.

 

 

 

Just curious to find out what people have out there for snow tires. Up here in CT the winters do not get too bad. However alas, my subaru is FWD. I haven't had many problems with getting around though.

 

Just contemplating getting some snow tires for the car. Wanted to know what people reccomend.

[over temp but why?]

I have had much the same problem with my '97 gt 2.5, check, check for an air pocket in the cooling system. I had to totally remove the thermostat and run it without a therm. for a while to finally get the air out. Also, fill the radiator from the upper radiator hose, back fill it until it overflows - that gets rid of alot of air. Finally, beware, it will finally get really really hot and blow water all over, not good for belts, etc.

 

 

 

1996 legacy outback 2.5 with an interesting problem. She intermitently gets hot. No engine light, no codes showing any bad sensors or circuit malfunctions. New--- water pump, radiator, rad cap, thermostat. There are absolutley no leaks. I can notice some detonation occasionally but the knock sensor is not throwing an error code. Any suggestions?