Krag

Whenever I go over a bump or into a dip it shakes. Any thoughts on a remedy--the mechanic seemed to think the crank had to be replaced?

I had a head gasket job done on my 2.5 Outback. Now the crankshaft is making grinding noises. Anyone heard of this before--that a thorough head gasket repair would trigger other problems?

If a company refuses to honor their guarantee on their product, gasket sealers, etc., document the financial transaction, put in writing your experience, and forward it to your state's attorney general or consumers affairs department, with all relevant contact information, for the company and for you, and where you bought the product. Then submit information to the company that fails to honor the guarantee, letting them know you are going forward with law enforcement on this issue and as other complaints get collated by the state and or federal departments, a class action lawsuit may follow. Some people say that fraud under $5000 is too expensive to follow through on in the US. I don't believe this is true. It would be good to hear of those who have been successful in getting justice from unethical businesses.

I guess I'll be driving a Subaru again after an odyssey through Luxury car fixup land. Have been checking out available Subarus, here and there--even went into NYC to check out a misrepresented Subaru seized for delinquent parking tickets. Another tempting Subaru, a '95 Legacy @120K and $1200 had more title reassigments than the family bicycle and an enamel paint job--the "dealer" was busy forging "his friend's" signature. The '92 1.8 I'm buying has a running clunk in the rear wheel--their mechanic said it is a control arm or something, though it sounded like the bearing. Was wondering if rear bearings in the 92 are pressed in? Also the usual "check engine" light. My main question is what are the advantages of the 2.2 vs the 1.8 engine? Will I get better mileage with the 1.8? Thanks for any feedback and am I thrilled to be getting back to a common sense vehicle...

Thanks for the feedback. Is it a guaranteed money-sink? Long distance driving not recommended? Engine is running well now but at 135K the life expectancy is not great...

I've been pretty brand loyal to Subaru over the years...I got 220K out of my last '88 GL before giving it away. I recently picked up a 1984 Jaguar XJ6 for $1500. Unlike Subaru owners, the owner of this beauty did not tell me any of the problems of the Jag, so I'm finding out the hard way. The fuel switching and overflow problem is the most serious issue to date, also a malfunctioning odometer/speedometer transducer. Otherwise it has the power and classic looks the Subaru doesn't, but in terms of function, the Subaru is generally better. Any one else have observations or experiences of both cars?

I had replaced the CV axle in my '88 Subaru a couple weeks ago with some help but had damaged the castle nut on the ball joint and was unable to cinch it down when installing the new one. The ball joint popped out of the mounting knuckle when I was driving through New Hampshire and the CV axle pulled apart, leaving the wheel twisted and the car disabled. I had a few tools, but I didn't even have a scizzor jack in the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able to borrow a jack locally, and with some help from a local fellow was able to get it back together, though broken, put it into 4 wheel drive, and drive it back to my friend's house to get yet another new CV axle. Tire warehouse/Double Discount said that their supplier would not be giving them any deposit on the separated axle (just weeks old), but gave me around $40 anyway as a courtesy...It would be interesting to hear any other problematic breakdowns that would have involved $$$ in costs had the vehicle been towed to a garage for the usual repair charges...

This occurred to me as a sort of outlaw question: are Subarus less likely to be stopped by cops being a sort of econobox, unflashy kind of wagon in general? If you need to pick up a used Subaru and the Motor Vehicle Department is a major inconvenience at least until you can get the paperwork together, what are the consequences of getting stopped, anyone with experience in explaining themselves out of such a prickly situation? i.e. "I just picked the vehicle up and am on my way home".

Thanks a lot for your help. I was up north and didn't check to see if there were any responses to my query. Yea, the Subaru is up in Canaan and I'm staying in New Canaan now. I'll be transferring plates from another Subaru I gave to a friend, and trying to get this to pass inspection...It also needs a windshield, not for function, but for inspection, crack cannot be repaired. Is Triumph auto glass at $200 or so best way to go there? Thanks...

What about regular Bosch platinum plugs? Power ain't great with them but would NGK mmake any difference??

Thanks a lot for the good advice. I wonder how demanding the DMV is regarding body condition...

I did a thorough consideration about head gasket sealant as an alternative to major vehicle repair as an option, considering my '88 rust bucket aint worth major repair...I tried the Barsleaks products, the silver powder and the black pellets, also the stuff that is a metal ceramic mix. It might work with cracked heads, but not with gaskets with all that pressure. The only product that really works long term is called "Blue Devil" available at some NAPA and other parts stores. It costs $70 but you must carefully follow directions. The purchase price is fully refundable by later buying parts etc. at the same store you bought it.

Was wondering if anyone has recommendations on doing a little body work on a '92 Legacy, slightly newer generation 2.2 wagon on the front panels on either side? I just want it to pass inspection, but the wholes on both sides of front panels are too large to just use a little bondo. Economy is my aim. Thanks!

Thanks, John. It was below zero last night in northern new england and I did not have the mix right in the cooling system. Nonetheless was able to drive some miles without further problems. The "alumiseal" might work in some situations, not in mine, apparently.

Thanks a lot for the advice guys! It seems to still have decent power. I will try to follow advice on "seal" products and not use any more. I have drained system and refilled with antifreeze mix. Used subarus are so cheap, its worth just looking around for a good replacement.