ckappler

I am sooo sick of going to my parts store and jumping through hoops! I know that there are many different configs for my 88 DL Wagon (non turbo) but it is so frusterating to try to buy a simple thing like a dist cap and them not being able to find it! Apparently an EA82 means something to US but not to anyone not familiar w/ Subs. I went to order some parts for a tune up and it was like "there are three different configs for your car." Is there an easy way to find out: what disty I have What motor number they will know What the car is called when trying to look up a cv axle I went through about 10 belts trying to find an ac belt before I got the right one! Please help. I may kill the parts guy!

Just got around to doing this now that it is hot out! Anyway, I did indeed buy the wrong belt. The AC compres is farthest from center so I assume that is dealer installed. So....what size is the proper ac belt for this. I measured and it looked to be over 44 inches. Please let me know if you know. Thanks.

Am I on my own on this one? ...help!!!!

Just got a radiator for my 88 dl wagon for $95 from radiator.com. I looked but could not find, can someone tell me or point me to somewhere to find instruction on installing my new radiator? I assume I can figure it out but would rather trust the knowledge of the board. Let me know. Thanks. PS Thanks to all who provided advice that got me to the root of my running hot prob!

Sounds good. I will try that and let you know. Thanks.

I think the gauge is ok. I left the rad cap off and ran the car and it went up in to the red. t-sat did not open I guess. Should it open with the cap off? Now I am confused. It just boiled out of the radiator. Is it possible that the car could run just below the redline for a long time w/o the stat opening at all? Should I try taking it out all together? Sorry for all the questions but I have tried all the "normal" fixes.

I did flush the rad and it seems to be all good. Temp is steady throughout.

Ok, minds out of the gutter! I am going to put the 185 t-stat in but before I do, I have a question. My 88 DL wagon gets on the highway (regardless of temp outside) and runs right up to just before the red line and then drops to 1/2 way on the gauge. I assume that means the 'stat is opening. Anyway, it then rises slowly to a bit below the red area and stays about there. Does not overheat but I am nervous about it running that high. I have stoped the car to make sure it is not about to overheat. HERE is my question: When I grab the hose going into the t-stat it still feels hard even though I know the t-stat is open because of the afore mentioned drop of the gauge. Should it be that hard? My experience is that when the 'stat is open and coolant is flowing it should be easy to comrpess the hose. Let me know what you think. Thanks. -Chris

I changed the t-stat and all they had and "recommended" at the parts store for my 88 dl was a 195 degree. I want to put in a 180 but I guess I will need a size right? Is it a 54? - Chris

Ok almost an exhusted thread but...if the fan is neg tripped then couldn't you just run a switch inside that puts -12v to the fan to make it turn on? Anyway, just took a look at it but both wires show 12v+! WTF? Can someone tell me what wires are what so I can wire my switch on my dash? 88 DL -EA82

Joking about a Subaru crapping out is just about as bad as calling out of work becasue a family memeber died! If is not true you will be riding on the bus with me straight to hell!...did I mention I was driving?!

It was strange. I got home last night and squeezed the radiator hose and it was tight like the t-stat wasn't open! The car had plenty of heat though. Does the fan kick on at a certain temp, and could that be dropping the temp w/o the t-stat opening? But then I would get no heat right? I guess I will start with the new t-stat.

Ok. What exactly means "stuffed"?

Couldn't find this posted. '88 dl. ea82. Drive it for about 5 minutes temp gauge goes right to red and them therm opens and it drops and runs a little over 3/4 to the red line. Assume it just has a t-stat that is too hot. I read 180 seems to normal? As i do not know what the last owner put in, but know he had cooling probs., could someone let me know what thew best t-stat would be going into spring/summer in New York?

This is a great article. Anyone know how it could be posted on USRM?

Also, stupid me, discovered the downside to running w/o the AC belt.... While it does not effect anything, no front defrost. I forgot that that uses the AC! Realized it last night in a blizzard when the CEL came on and the engine was running wierd!

Great. Thanks. I will take a look. It looks like the middle is separated from the actual pulley. There is a spring clip (one of them "u" jobbies) inside though!)

I posted this in the wrong place originally. I need to do cv's and wheel bearings but I don't know exactly what I need to order for my 88 dl spfi. Anyone have some resources or thoughts? I have the posting so I think I can do it but I want to make sure I have all the parts I need. Some web sites say cv, axle, axle assembly, cv joint... Just not sure what exactly i need to replace. I assume i should do the wheel bearing at the same time. PLEASE let me know. -Chris

The pics are great! I am getting ready to do my front two on my 88 DL spfi. Can someone point me to a resource for what parts I will need? All the sites I go to list:axle, axle assemble, and cv joints. Not sure what I need to replace. Please let me know. It is getting bad! - Chris

Thanks guys. Now I get it. AND...good news, kinda, I found my idler pully on my lawn! I guess it separated from the post ot some point. I assume it is shot and will have to try to find another before I need AC! Any thoughts?

This sounds like it! You guys rock! I did grab the axle and there is hardly any play in it but I am thinking I will start by replacing the wheel bearing. The CV on the otherside does make a little noise but I think for now it is ok. So, next question, and good posts or resources for replacing the wheel bearing? I did not see any. Also, I drive about 25 miles to work. If I can not do this till later this coming week do you think I will be all right?

Thanks for the advice. I still don't understand why it would only do it after driving fast for a while though!????

So since my mechanic could not replicate the symtoms, do I have to worry about the wheel coming off? He said "everything is fine" but it sure does not feel like it to me!

Would that explain why it only does that after driving for a while? Most of the time it is fine.

What exactly is a loose castle nut/axle? and does it makes sence that it is so inconsistanly doing this? Or that it only happens after driving for a while? Maybe it heats up?