LovemyGLWGN

My Loyale, which I finally put on the road less than a month ago, has been going through a million issues, which I fix according to the priority of the problem. But it IS on the road!!! Current problem is reaching urgent. As I try to recall from the '92 I had, it feels similar. I believe I may either have fuel filter blockage, or injectors plugged. It now will hesitate fairly severely going up any type of incline, which I can push it through with more gas, but it kinda feels like a plugged fuel filter. Am doing that today or tomorrow, adding injector cleaner, and will see after that if it is resolved or not...

I didn't have a stand, either, but thought I may as well replace rod bearings, and all the rest, since I'm in there. Cost wasn't very much more, but peace of mind : priceless!

This is a great tip! Forgot about that: label everything very well. Clean any bolts as they come off, and especially for smaller ones, lay them into a piece of masking tape after cleaned and label: keeps any parts from becoming lost, which happens in the very best of organized rebuilds!

It was on my Mazda GLC, can't remember which engine it had now, but it was a 5 door hatchback, 1980 I think. It blew a head gasket, and I didn't have the money to even fix it right away, so drove it with bad head gasket (leak), for some time before I could afford to tear it down. By then, one cylinder was bad, so needed to re-sleeve that, and then, proceed. I armed myself with three repair manuals (one was for general engine rebuilt procedures, one was Chilton for that model, one was Mazda for that model and went to work! I had worked for a Detroit Diesel remanufacturing center for some time, and knew the block procedures...rings, crank, torques, etc., but never a complete engine.. In the end, I had a friend that was an import auto mechanic, who I asked to come over after I did the rockers, as I had no upper block assembly experience, and asked if he would inspect the job.... It ran great, and I kept it for another 25,000 miles, then sold it.

Oh, by the way: I rebuilt a complete engine once without a stand: pulled motor, put onto a cart, took into my dining room, placed onto a temporary sheet of linoleum, (after cleaning), and tore it down and reassembled it there. It can be done, and I was a single mother then- sole supporter of family, and it had blown a head gasket. Sent block out to have one cylinder re-sleeved, too. So, there are ways, if you wanted to remove whole motor. Build a stand with saw horses. I am sure you are capable, if you're willing to do the head gasket!!

Hi. I was a hone and lap specialist for many years, and when going towards the finish in the process of refinishing, we always 'wrote' onto the surface of what we were either lapping or at times, even honing. When you believe you are possibly 'finished', take a felt marker or pencil and mark the entire head or part: doesn't need to be perfectly covered, just fairly well. Then, sand again, lightly, once over, and then look at your marks. It will highlight quickly if there are any low spots or high spots remaining.

I'm not very good with downloading/uploading pictures, but did it! Here's one of my baby!

Nice! I believe they all have some issues, but it is fun to get through them! Have fun and meet some great people here!

It is a great site, with some VERY knowledgeable people here, but more, friendly, too. Enjoy it!

Well, this is definitely an experience! Last entry up there was from Dinky26, and Ray...Mundog64, and the dates there are 03-18-2014. My GL wagon is just now on the road! Licensed, legal, and driving it! Far from totally gorgeous yet, but can finally drive it. It is now 4 mechanics later, and the brakes are correct!! Just took pics with my cell, but don't see where to/how to send them to my computer, so will use Hubby's cell tonight or tomorrow to get pics! Unbelievable! Life and time, work and finances just got in the way of doing anything sooner... still Lovemy GLWGN!! Yes!

Oh, and the diagram is worth a thousand words! Big thanks!

Well, appreciate all of the help!! I have enough info to attempt to get it to a shop, even though I would not be afraid of tackling this now. I looked at the forecast, and as we are about to be 30* for a high, I think a garage would feel nice, rather than a carpet on the cold ground. However, I am no longer afraid of the HH, or massively confused. I believe I can get it to the shop OK, but if I simply need to remove the rear shoes, that is possible for me in order to get it in. I drove it home from the auto auction, and it did OK. It wasn't until I had the rear brakes done that it wouldn't come out of HH. I will try the loosening of HH first, as that might be a simple (non-frozen) solution. If it were warmer weather, I wouldn't hesitate to do this myself now. I sure would like to have it on the road, though, since I am driving ...(something ) that isn't very fuel economical and I would rather have my Loyale!! Thanks, Gloria

Thanks! Tired today: need to get back here tomorrow, G

Thanks, Bumble, Tom and guys.. Yes, brakes were just done, and the guy that worked on it , unfortunately, was totally lost as to what to do. He tried to cover himself, but finally, had to call me to come and get it, and said he had tried everything he knew, and could find out. Obviously, he didn't ask y'all! These are more than great answers: thank you. I have a decent understanding of how the hill holder operates, and what makes it tick. On my '92, they just worked, and I just used them... no thought. I lived in the mountains, then, and appreciated the hill holder for the same reason as Tom, MR_Loyale. There is a Subaru mechanic about 60 miles away, who knows these older models inside and out, I would just like to be able to get it to him. My husband and myself are able to accomplish minor repairs with our trusty tiny wrench set, but more isn't a real option anymore. We can do this, including loosening the HH, as long as nothing is froze up. Are nuts left hand, right hand? Anything else we may like to know, before we go lay in the dirt? (On a carpet- in the cold?) As soon as I can pull it out, and drive it 20 miles, will get a photo up here. It really is exceptionally clean, except the rear carpet, where someone spilled grease of some sort. Thanks again, Gloria

Oh, sorry, DaveT. It is an 88 Loyale wagon, clutch, push button 4x, and I would tend to bet the Hill Holder is what is locking it down. If my husband can manage to get it off the incline for me, it will drive on a flat area. I like what Subruise said about the Hill Holder can also be eliminated from the 'food chain' if needed, because this station wagon is beautiful!!, and I would really like the Subaru guy to look it over. I bought it from a car lot that had taken it to the auto auction, and had looked all over the country for one, then found one 18 miles from me!

I saw that this topic was covered once, in 2005. The article was: Brakes won't give me a break, posted by afojc, 19th Nov. 2005 and it gave me some insight, but still would like to ask additional questions. Thought perhaps it might be time to put this topic up again, in case anyone else is still running into difficulty with this. 1. Subaru drove home when I bought it, but emergency brake wouldn't hold, and it sounded like possible rear brakes starting metal to metal. Sent it to neighborhood 'mechanic', and had brakes done, including rear shoes. 2. Could barely pull it out of there. He apologized, but said he was unable to find out any more info as to how to control, or adjust brakes for the 'hill' stops. But now, it will barely drive. If I park on anything other than the Salt Flats, it doesn't want to unlock. 3. I live in a fine area of people, but right now, I have 'mechanics' wanting to rebuild the whole rear end...! 4. Simple suggestions greatly appreciated. I am past my days of my own wrench, and physically, ability is becoming limited. I could probably still get brakes off and on, but I would rather explain it to a young man... I have had my turn, and right now, would like to do the minimum to get it to a real mechanic if needed. 5. Thus, can I remove rear brakes and drive it to a mechanic...(60 miles away)? Totally appreciate any suggestions, as I love my GL wagon, and have yet to drive it!!

I may have to just restart this topic, but maybe someone will see this and post here... So, trying to understand... the 'new' '88 I just got, is probably an EA82? When I went to sign up for USMB, it kept trying to put that up for me, and I kept deleting it, thinking it was in error over the year...duh... Anyway, would it have an EA81 , if those can run through the 80's or an EA82? Thanks! This gal is too gorgeous to not know everything about her...

My 'baby' is in the shop now, being gone over... some friends have a shop and they are doing brakes, tune-up, etc., exhaust had some leaks, wipers didn't work..., but that is all past me now! Rear brakes are drums, so shoes had to be ordered in for it: should have her back Tuesday, and I am so excited I can barely stand it!! The last wagon I had was a '92, which had the push button 4x; this one is different, actually has a lever to activate.. Works for me! These are the greatest ever made! Could have bought another, out of Albuquerque, that was straight, but had a blown head gasket... I passed, but am kicking myself for passing it by, too. Maybe I can post the pics this week, have taken some, just couldn't get them off my cell phone...duh..

I figured as much, but there is ONE saving factor... it is an "87!!! LOL

Oh, by the way... some dash gauges don't work... the fuel tank and the oil pressure. Is that fuses? Didn't see either one listed on the fuse panel??? Oh, we also found a CLEAN 87 Jeep today..., although I know that is not part of this most beloved Subaru forum..., just am excited!

Scooner, will be taking my '88 GL Baby to have catalytic converter probably replaced in a couple of days, as soon as this town thaws out... ( the muffler shop can't get to work...). Is it O.K. to just remove these on this model. or better to replace them? It sounds and feels like a front converter is plugged... No pictures yet, possibly tomorrow...

Hey, Scooner! Will get photos as soon as this storm passes us... It looks like the ice storm part is missing us right here...maybe..., and if it snows, that won't bring power lines down..! I think we are in for sunny weather later on this week. This car is SO straight, it looks like it could be 5 yrs. old, and it has as actual miles: 111,000 on it! I can't believe it and I was looking all over the US, and this one pops up in the next county. Go figure... So anyway, will try to post them this week..

Quick 'hi', as I am new. Had a '92 Loyale wagon, which I have regretted selling the moment I signed the pink slip. Thursday, I finally was able to locate and buy an '88 and I am SO excited!! Bought it from an auto auction; it seemed nobody else around here had a clue what a great car these are! (NE Arkansas) It will need some things, of course, but right now, am thinking the main problem might be plugged cat and/or muffler.. It feels kinda like I am trying to push it down the road just a bit: definitely has a slight 'back push', but as I said, have only had it two days now- so need to find out all about our newest family member. Need to find out quick though, seems to be running rougher than when I first pulled it out of the auction, and the engine light comes on, but not until up to 3rd or so.... takes a minute of starting down the road to come on. Was in a head-on collision Feb. 02, and our 88 Toyota truck was 'totaled', and this will be our replacement. Still on a rental car, so hope to have this one at least just 'stabilized' in a couple of days.