DDad

Looking over daughters car today to get it ready for the winter. Looks like I'll have to replace the front axles (after 190,000 miles), NP, I can look that up and figure out the best way to do that here- but one thing my daughter mentioned I suspect I'll have to ask about in here. Heater works good, but if you place it in the defrost position- it doesn't start blowing out the top- still out the dash vents. Also, I kind of smell something rather like rubber/Insulation burning when I put it on the defrost position. My first though was possibly something from the engine, but also got it while the engine was off, nixing that idea. Any suggestion as far as what to look for, and how to get at it?

While I can't say about the Impreza- most of the Subarus I've seen have the corrosion resistant steel (FYI- true stainless has been found to be to brittle for use in exhaust systems) About the only thing to worry about with it- it will crack- I usually figure in the neighborhood of 3-4 time longer than regular steel

Ok- Daughter came back in immediately after leaving for school this AM- "DAAAAD, I just broke the mirror of the side of the car!" (she was trying to avoid hitting the trashcan (approxmate cost, $12 at Walmart....) So, now I'm looking for a passenger side mirror- for a 96 Legacy. Not real picky, though it does have powered mirror original Anyone know of a good source for these and other body parts (Have to find a RF fender and headlight housing- she had another "fender bender earlier this winter- just haven't got arround to working on it yet!

LOL well, I did change the oil (BEFORE starting it this time!) and as far as idling- suspect I've got to find a vacuum leak- lowest it would "idle" at was 1500 rpm

Just a update: Didn't have much time to deal with it today- but did have enough time to Re-install the Timing belt- this time lining it up with the mark on the "reluctor"- it started right up! Now, running it for about 20 seconds with the exhaust off isn't a good indicator of long term health, or other problems, but the fact that it started at all made me feel considerably better

Well, I do know on Aircraft engines you test compression cold- but its done differently than normally done on cars. Suspect thats how they check them when they rebuild them. Requires a adaptor that screws in the Spark plug holes- set and "hold" the cylinder tested at TDC. Connect adaptor to airline with a measurable PSI- - place cylinder under pressure- see how much leaks down. If leakage is excessive- re pressurize and start listening for air hissing In the intake- bad intake valve At the Exhaust port- bad exhaust valve In the Oil filler- bad rings On a Subaru engine I'd probably alos add listen in upper Rad neck= for cracked head/Head Gasket

AS far as I know- very limited experience with Subarus, mind you. But my understanding is that up to 95 had the dual port heads, 96 and later were single port- but think there was a change in production about 1/2 way through the year

OK- Maybe I'm confused- when I installed the belt- I lined it up with the mark on the gear- a triangle shape. Should I have lined it up with the mark on the "reluctor" portion? Considering that its about 90 degrees out- have to wonder why I have compression

Hmmm, Reluctor- ummmm, that the 6 tooth ring at the back of the crank gear- I've seen it and I think I've seen the mark your describing- will look it over again tomorrow!

Hi, first time I've had a chance to post here. Wish it was under better circumstances! I've got a 96 Legacy, 2.2 engine, 175,000 miles To start with, Daughter's BF got the urge to change the oil in it (without my knowledge)- about 5 miles from the house the car locks up- he forgot to put the Oil filter on! ArrrrgH!!!!!! So I decide it would probably be best to replace the engine- find a 95 EJ22 out of wrecked Impreza with 100,000 miles. Not worried about the differences in the exhaust ports (I'm owner of a muffler shop)- I decide to stick it in "as is". Everything goes together just fine, no problems- all the engine wiring, etc is the same- just had to change a couple of the mounting brackets, etc. In fact, I told my help I was amazed at how easy it was......... Famous last words. About this time I put my stupid hat on. While hooking up the lower Radiator hose, I decided to drain the oil out of it, and put new oil in. Change the filter, etc- let the car back down- start to add water- Holler at one of my help to start it up- don't want to cause a airlock in the cooling system..... Starts right up- hmmmm, need to figure out whats up with the idle- about 1500 rpm- but I start to add the water when I hear the sound of a timing belt strip and the engine dies. Sure enough- egine turns over - but the cams don't. WTF? About that time I notice the 5 qts of oil still sitting on the floor.... After several minutes of cursing my self in several languages- I decide to at least see where the damage is- pull the front covers off, yeppers, the belt is stripped... The Crank is feeling Ok.....the Drivers side cam is feeling ok...Passenger side- uggggh- it turns, but doesn't feel at all right- in fact, it feels bad! In total disgust with myself, I through down my tools and stomp out of the shop Next day, I prepare to start pulling that engine, still feeling sick to my stomach when my Dad happened by- he suggested it would hurt anything for me to try turning over that cam a few times- sometimes it will loosen up and be all right. I figure- Why not? can't really hurt anything. After giving it about 5 turns- it has loosened up considerably- so I decide to try putting a new timing belt on it. Found out about lining the shafts up iwth the Dots and lines, NP- heck of ingenious deal for Subaru IMO. GEt everything back assembled- turn it over by hand quite a few times- everything feels OK- feels like all four cylinders have Compression, Oil comes out of the heads, seems like it has oil pressure, I'm starting to feel pretty good again...... Put the Valve covers back on- put it all back together- Engines turns over, but won't start- It acts like it hits on a couple of the Cylinders, bu is also backfiring, and not sounding good at all- won't run. I've double checked everything I can think of- any suggestions?