MR_Loyale

You were there? Orange crosstrek?

A/C insulating tape, called Prestite: Doesn't look that awful when it is initially put on there. Its insulation and a moisture barrier. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Santech-Prestite-tape/_/N-255s?itemIdentifier=158980_0_0_

Honestly I switched mine over this year and never went to all this bother. The conversion kit I got at Walmart had esther oils in it which are compatible with the R12 oils already in there. Has been running all summer long with no problems. Kit even came with a CD.

Well if you never wipe the dust off your instrument cluster, the top of the steering column, the dash and generally keeping your hands away from the steering wheel area you got nothing to worry about.

Ah yes THAT switch.

I once had a similar thing happen with a 72 Dodge Dart. The starter relay contacts had fused themselves together and even though the key was out the car kept trying to start itself. In your case the ignition switch may be shorting out.

Lately I have been noticing my heater lacked any heat. In the summer it wasn't an issue, but for these cold mornings with condensation on the windows it is becoming necessary. And with fall around the corner, it will be a must. So tonight I decided to tackle this annoyance. Basically I did the reverse flow trick but instead of pulling the thermostat and reversing the hoses (and pushing the crud into the radiator or block), I took off the hoses where the pipes come from the engine and meet the rubber hoses. Then I fashioned an adapter out of clear tubing. One end onto my air gun nozzle and the other into the return line (firewall to engine). I put an empty gallon jug over the other line to contain the crud that came out. Then I gave a blast of air until all the liquid was out. Filled with water twice and blew it out until clear. No toxic chemicals necessary. It now gets hot like it is supposed to. Originally got the idea from eric the Car Guy:

Remove the alternator and take it into an auto parts store to get it checked out for free. I know Autozone does it for free.

Could it be a voltage issue with your charging system?

Maybe a head gasket?

Once again thank you so much for coming over and putting my mind at ease. It performed wonderfully during the WCSS trip. I really didn't want to be the one breaking down since I was the lead car. And if you ever temporarily need "some concrete" to put that tranmission in - you know where I live.

I also met some great folks, you of course being amongst them: Twitch Marcus56 and Marcus10glZ28 (already knew him) jj421 - This guy will go to extra lengths to help folks out. Also has a great sense of humor about WRX's doing mudpits. Subienut - Thanks again man for listening to my Loyale "noise". GirlWithALegacy Becky the lady with the blue wagon who drives mudpit courses on stock wagons making it look easy. Of course Ronnie, Johnnie (why can't I remember your handle?)and all the clan. If I missed anybody I apologize. I am getting old - that's my excuse and I am sticking to it. And of course Mike, you are going to invite us over next time you are cooking, right? Does it have to be chill n grill OR a cruise? Why not both? To everyone I missed mentioning, please angrily chime in so it penetrates into my head.

35 MPG? Do you realize how friggin AWESOME that is? The official EPA on that car was 26 MPG max. See for yourself: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=1993&year2=1993&make=Subaru&model=Loyale%20Wagon%20AWD&srchtyp=ymm

Start making your plans for next year. Twitch is an alright guy in my book. You would have loved the trip and the show. Everyone should do it at least once in their lifetime.

Following the end of the second mud pit session, jj421 and myself hopped into my Loyale Sedan and made a beeline for Mt St Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory to catch the sunset on St Helen. It was about a two hour drive round trip from Kelso to St Helens and back. We saw some of the most spectacular scenery available in this area.

At 3pm the mudpit action resumed. Basically it consisted of the older gens easily dancing through the course, the outback marginally making it and the WRX's getting stuck. Old Gen, makes it through WRX Gets Stuck Old Gen Makes It WRX Gets Stuck, Bumper Torn Off

No rain now. Nice and sunny.

One of the categories is "People's Choice". I voted for Twitch and I didn't even have to be bribed. My vote was based upon anyone insane enough to drive across the state on a blue devil head gasket job deserves some recognition. Twitch - I do hope the award is a GPS. The best Brat at the show is definitely this 1984 bone stock with no modifications. The gentleman on the right is the second owner and said the car has 99K on the odometer. Apparently the first owner kept it in the garage all the time as did he. I swear this thing looks like it just rolled off the factory floor. The interior is flawless as far as I can tell and the paint is original to the car. Even the decal is original.

Great. If you see a guy in the convention hallway with a laptop typing away, that'll be me.

Kelso Police made a drive through the grounds this morning about 9:30 am. They missed the boat as the hoopla was going on last night. After we went for breakfast, we noticed the mud pit was opening up and people were taking runs at it. Board member One_eye was waiting and eager to give it a run: His rig is on the right. When it was his turn he gave probably the best run I saw so far. He definitely engaged the crowd with a little mudspray: There was even one brave soul running his shiny polished WRX through the mud. Hats off to you sir and the car wash is on 9th street! Of course WCSS is all about oddities and uniqueness. Creative antenna ornaments and spray painted poodles in Baja's. The convention hall has opened and the show lot is filling up with folks waiting for their cars to be judged. Lots more to see. I will continue updating throughout the day.

We are camping next to three Subies (All Loyales) from Arizona. If you can ever make it, you will definitely hold the record for the longest distance traveled.

Good morning. After everyone stayed up all night gabbing about their Subies and meeting other Subie kin, we finally got some rest. Slowly folks are waking up and getting the sleep out of their eyes. I took some pictures of just a small sampling of the Subies filling the grounds. Looks like someone snuck into the mudpit to pre-test it. Marcus - was that you????

It is Friday evening and I am in front of the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center. Tomorrow the show opens. Periodically throughout the day I will update this thread with highlights of WCSS. For now it is back to the camp site and meet some new Subie folk.

We made it! From the Tacoma Mall it was slow traffic for about 20 miles and then it picked up. Macus did make it which was a pleasant surprise. From Tacoma Mall we left with seven vehicles. We stopped at the Maytown rest stop and picked up three more vehicles of folks also heading down to WCSS. In all we had a pretty good line of Subies rolling down I5. Here is a picture of the lineup: We all had this placard in the back window so everyone would know we were a group:

Leaving my house now. Brought food for everyone and we will not be leaving until you eat it!