mtsmiths

OK all, let's abandon the thread hijack and stay on Linda's problem, may it not be so. If anyone else wants to comment on mtsmith's or Dude's 'attitudes', I suggest we take it to the OFF TOPIC section, eh?

Another amateur chimes in with an air bubble diagnosis. Burp it, or you'll be doing a head gasket next ... there's a thread to that effect somewhere too.

Hey DUDE! Kindova flame for the regular board ain’t it? 1. I didn’t say ALL anythings or anyones. That’s your assumption. 2. Maybe you’ve got nothing but gender-sensitive P.C. tow-truck drivers in your neck of the woods, but the spirit of John Wayne is alive and well in most of the west. “Don’t worry you little head, purty lady” is pretty much the kind of attitude you’ll run into on the road in Montana. 3. And on what do you base the assumption that I’m a blue collar resenting white collar worker? I’m sorry, have we met, and I forgot somewhere’s along the line? If so, please inform the director of my department that I no longer have to spend my day out in the field, regardless of weather, would you? I’d really appreciate that. 4. I wasn’t really trying to make anyone feel better at anyone else’s expense. I related the “tow truck experience” as I’ve mostlty seen it in about fifty years of driving. 5. Please direct me to the text where I’m calling anyone ‘jerk’, ‘sexist’, or any of the pejoratives used in your ‘reply’. Now, as to 'gratutious', 'moronic', I'll leave the use of those in the context of this board for you to ponder ... pal. 6. As to the average American reading the owners manual and understanding the workings of their automobile, man or woman you're right everyone should ... few do!

Mebbe so, but it's all French to me!

Unless you think it's valve train noise (usually a dry metallic sound), it's prolly piston slap, it's the nature of the beast. If it gets no worse don't obsess.

Late onset problems, aye there's the rub. I'd get the documentation from SOA that shows that whether or not you are showing symptoms yet, the damage HAS been done, and WILL surface later. They caused it by towing wheels-on-the-ground ... period. Yah, and even if you HAD protested, fat chance the tow truck driver would have paid any attention to a 'woman' giving him mechanical instructions. We talked about 'Do not tow this vehicle' decals on the board before, maybe we should really do it? I'm a graphic designer, I'll do up the art free if someone can print the decals. Maybe the board could sell them.

Linda, you noted AAA towing company. I assume then, that you are a AAA member. Make your initial complaint to AAA and keep on THEM. Your contract is with AAA, they hire and 'approve' the towing company, who is 'supposed' to be knowledable. STAY ON AAA, send them all the information and don't back off, There is no reason you should suffer damages, and no reason for you to have to deal with the towing company. And yes, assume your AWD system is toast.

Is there any binding in sharp turns on dry pavement? Have you confirmed that all tyres (spelling just for you bloke) are the same size, evenly worn and inflated to the same pressure? Has it ever been towed wheels-on-the-ground?

Same body, should fit. Be sure to make a hole drilling pattern when you rob the '95. If you find another one, let me know.

Susie K, I hereby award you the Mostest Politest Poster to ever inhabit this board. Miss Manners would be proud

Is this an automatic? Please tell us all that they flatbacked it or put it on dollies. If they 'towed it', you're now also out an AWD system! ANd, if you think you're in a fight with a dealer, wait 'til you have to tangle with a tow company!

Susie K this dealership is attempting to rip you off BIG time. Find an independent in the area and have the car removed ASAP! BTW you said "towed". Was the car on a flatback or dollies, or 'wheels on the ground'. If the latter, your AWD system is now toast, and you'll have to go after the towing company for another $3-$4K. Sorry this happened to you, a breakdown is a bummer, but a dishonest dealer is a crime. I would send a really nasty letter to SOA. Point out that after this experience you will be rethinking your 'plans' to buy a new Subaru van when they come out this summer. Don't roll over for this crook!

Just plug the damn thing in before you go in for the night. It's only drawing as much juice as a large nightlight. It'll take you twenty years to recoup the cost of a timer. The job of a low wattage block heater is to KEEP the engine warm, not warm it up. If you allow the block/fluids, etc. to get cold soaked, the heater won't be able to recover. I start up in the morning with no clatter or complaint ('specially since I Seafoamed). THe heater is ready and willing and afer a five minute warm-up, the whole car is toasty. What's $00.15 or so per day against the cost of an engine rebuild ... or a cold butt?

Hmmmm, I believe that 'Langhammer" may be the BBs first documented 'Subaru semi-virgin' Still LOL

Whatever it is it sure quieted and smoothed out my 2.2 (135,000) after only fifteen miles. I bought a can last night after reading this thread, dumped it in at the parts store and drove home. This am my car idled smoother and quiter than it has in the whole time I've owned it. Doing the wife's '00 (160,000) tonight.

Yah, well my wife nevr parks next to anyone either. This particular SOB obviously clocked her from across the aisle.

OK, I feel better now, if she instigated it and passed on your recommendation ... well, ol' P.T. Barnum wasn't far off. Ya wanna make a quick grand?

Well, don't lowball trade that Baja in to the dealer when you get the van. Post it in the marketplace; there have been several (of whom I'm one) that have stated they'll buy a Baja when they start hitting the used car market. You'll get more than for a trade-in, and make a USMBer very happy!

SO am I understanding this right. A lady comes in thinking she has a serious engine problem, i.e. blown head gasket. You guys figger out it's just in need of a tune-up, and now you're not gonna tell her so you can get her car dirt cheap $700.00 / $1,500.00 for a '99 Outback. I hope I'm misunderstanding this. I believe that if that is what you're planning, it's called fraud, never mind the bad juju.

Wish it were JUST door dings. In December I came out to find my whole passenger door caved in (it was the white Dodge Dually I was parked next to, he left the paint on my dark blue 'Roo). Today I was following The Pretty One to work and noticed that some truck (guaging by the height and look of the damage) had caved in half the tailgate on the '2000. Chicken*************** hit and runs.

Jclay, where in MD are you? I had really good service from indy "George's Foreign Auto Repair" in Glen Burne, on N. Cairn Rd. Seems to know Subarus and did a GL-10 front wheel bearing for $120 on a drive-in basis. THANK YOU PINE BARRENS!

How long should one run seafoam before changing oil. I've got an upcoming oil change on the '95, must be done before Friday week (long trip ahead). Not enough time, or dump it in?

Darth Vader black, with severly tinted windows. And a thin dark grey strip along the body line. If the wheels are steelies, gun metal grey. Wash and wax often!

Fang, I suspect that you just lost your Subaru virginity. Go out and flick the little switch on the top of the steering column, and see if the lights go off.

This morning it was +8 and made me think of this post. So far this winter I've never heard the noise in my '95 Leg (replaced the '87 GL), even when it's down to -10. The difference is, I've got an oil pan patch heatere on this car, instead of a screw-in block heater. I've noticed that it not only heats the engine compartment enough to keep frost and snow off the hood, it keeps the bottom middle third of the windshield clear. When I installed it, I put two layers of metal speed tape over the patch and with a wide margin. I was really thinking to protect the heating element pad, but I think it's reflecting so much heat up it's warming the whole engine compartment, so no whine. Now, I'm sure it's the belts, and not a major problem.