wayneb

Rooster2: Youv'e had much better luck with Bosch plugs than me! They fouled in my subie within 2k miles. Nomad327: Thanks for the info about double platinum plugs, didn't know of such a plug. Great description on how to replace plugs! I've found for me that I can replace the passenger side plug easily from below. The driver's side I found through trial and error to do just as you described. One thing I found recently and can't remember where, I bought a long reach plug socket with a swivel end. The socket is about 5 1/2" long and the swivel end is just the right length to attach a ratchet to. Again the rubber tubing works great, learned that trick from working on small block chevy's with headers. Your spark plug replacement should be used as a sticky for others, it's just that good! Thanks again; Waynebh

Hi All; Tine to replace plugs and I know I have to use NGK's,learned the hard way! Does anyone know if platinum or Iridium plugs offer any improvement over stock plugs? Thanks in advance; Wayneb

Hi All; 1998 Legacy out back wagon serial #4S3BG6857W7604569 Went to replace all my idlers & tensioner and bought kit from ebay. The only problem is my tensioner looks like what's shown for the 2.2 motor in my Haynes manual. The newer style tensioner doesn't appear to even have provisions to bolt onto block. Anyone seen this before??? Thanks in advance; Wayneb

Thanks Guys! Had them reversed on both sides! Explains a lot about how it's running! Thanks again; Wayneb

Hi All; Had engine out to repair valve damage from broken timing belt and think I may have wired injectors wrong. How can you tell if they are wired correctly? thanks in advance; Wayneb

Hi All; Talked to guy at maching shop and he suggested looking at valve guides for damage. Did that and didn't notice anything obvious. Next tried pouring alcohol in intake ports with head on side with intakes facing up. Left for 1/2 hour no leaks. Did same with exhaust ports and three of four exhaust valves leaked! Relapped valves and they sealed tight! Next put head on engine and tested compression with cams out. compression wqay up in #2 cylinder, in fact 5psi higher than others. Will try with cams & belt installed tomorrow but I think I found the problem, leaking exhaust valves! Wayneb

Hi Nipper; I replaced the valve and three others on cylinder #1 due to cam belt failure and subsequent cranking causing bent valves. I'll have to try the dykem, I also plan on putting head back on engine and performing compresssion test again after checking/re lapping all four valve seats. The plan is to leave the camshafts off the heads so all valves remain shut and performing compression test by rotating engine with a ratchet on balancer bolt. I think I'll dykem the seats before reassembly. I can also listen for hissing past seats and or pour fluid around seats through ports to test seal Then I think I'll try again with cams and belt in place. I think if head gasket is issue, then I won't be able to get any compression with valves completely closed. If seat is problem then compression test with cams and belt in place should show a big difference. If that doesn't prove successfull then the head is going to a machine shop! Wayneb

Hi Nipper; Could I have had a bad head gasket seal? wayneb

Hi Nipper; Replaced head gasket upon reassembly. Haven't reused gasket assumed that you can only torque it once, is that true? Wayneb

Hi Nipper; Dry #1,3,4 185 to 190 psi. #2 maybe 10 to 15 psi. I suspect a bad exhaust valve seat on valve that was bent and replaced in that cylinder but can't see anything to indicate that. Wayneb

Hi All; Replaced bent valves and re assembled engine, put in car but when started ran terrible! Did compression check and #2 cylinder would not hold compression. At idle vacum wobbled and had dead miss. I pulled engine and checked #2 exhaust valve that was replaced and saw no problem. Anyone have any ideas? Wayneb

Hey Wawalker; Not a problem, just never seen a bent valve before and your comment was the only one I think I saw about it. OWB, ordered parts from 1stsubaru.com yesterday afternoon with overnight shipping and got them today! Great place to buy parts as far as price and availablility. I used them two years ago when I replaced head gaskets. Also great customer service. I can't recommend them enough! Wayneb

Hi All; Found the following: both intakes and 1 exhaust valve bent in #1 and one exhaust valve bent in #2. Interesting in that the valve face was bent on shaft but shaft was staight on all the valves. after reading some of comments about bent valves, I expected shafts to be bent but now that I think about it, the way they bent makes more sense. Just awaiting parts to rebuild. Wayneb

Hi All; Pulled heads and found interesting observation, The exhaust valves on cylinders 1 & 2 had marks on the as though they made contact with the pistons. These are the cylinders that were causing misfire issues, especially #1 which had more prominant marks on exhaust valves. I'm going to pull valves off for inspection tomorrow, I suspect that the exhaust valves on mentioned cylinders will be bent! Overall rest of engine looks great! Wayneb

Hi All; Well it's a no brainer! Compression check showed following: #1-90psi,#2-150psi,#3-185psi,and #4-185psi. I should have the engine out this morning, all that's left to do is pull hood, motor mounts,bellhousing bolts,and flywheel bolts. My next question is should I replace bent valves, have heads rebuilt, or purchase rebuilt heads? Any other suggested repairs/parts to replace whilst engine is out? Thanks for alll your help; Wayneb