Midwst

Some of you don't believe in the little black dots...but when I bought my 91 legacy it had a black dot for brakes. I wondered why. After numerous attempts to readjust the emergency brake shoes, I finally just removed the damn things because they wouldn't hold an adjustment. In my experience, black dots mean things that go wrong with the car not just once, but repeatedly. Like the 87 gl...replacing the carb multiple times. It just shouldn't happen. Someone out there knows the loyale story....maybe its just like the saturn. If you know it uses oil and nurse it along it will last 200K plus. But if you don't know it uses oil, then the timing chain fails costing huge $$$. The 1991 Legacy should have a half black dot for the damn transmission. This whole torque binding thing shouldn't happen either.

Could someone please tell me why consumer reports gives the Loyale engine a "black dot"...which is the worst it can get. The early 1990's Saturn gets a black dot for its engines because of excessive oil consumption past the rings. So there must be SOME reason for the bad mark. Everyone here sings the praises of the Loyale, but there is obviously something thats not being said. i'd rather know now than find out the hard way.

If an engine taps under load when moving, shouldn't the same sound be heard with it sitting still, but high rpms?? Need to know soon! I have some tough choices to make.

Not the muffler. Its new. Sounds like it is comming from the engine. Maybe the front pipe to the header. Maybe the converter. Maybe the engine is just loud? I guess the real question is can an exhaust leak near the front of the engine sound like an engine noise/tap?

Question. Does it harm the engine if a person overfills the engine oil by 1 qt? No, I didn't do it, just asking.

I fixed my pinging problem by slowly feeding BG fuel system cleaner into the throttle body via a small vacuum hose. Worked, but had to keep doing it from time to time.

so when I test drive this car, how can I tell if it is really going into 4wd? The light on the dash works. I suppose I should be able to feel a difference?

Its a 1991 AWD auto, no turbo with 190,000 miles. Trying to decide if i should dump money into it or sell it. Sometimes the engine runs rough like it's not getting good spark. Inner tie rod ends shot. AC cuts off sometimes...just for fun. Not sure how long the engine will last. May not be worth the work.

Okay, so took the 1992 loyale on a test drive. has only 25,000 miles! Really. One owner. There was a kind of lifter like sound in the engine area under load. I had a real mechanic drive it and he said it sounded like the exhaust. When the car is standing still and the engine is brought up to 3000 rpm, I don't hear the noise. Suddenly let go of gas, still no noise. Does have oil pressure. Does this sound right for an exhaust leak? My guess is that if the noise was really in the engine itself, I would hear it at 3000 rpm standing still. Right? Second question. The car is grossly underpowered. Can I put 600 lbs of weight in it...people or other...and still drive the thing? FYI other test drive notes: some rust, not real bad. One CV boot torn, but still throwing greese. No biggie. Brake pedal soft, but stops okay. No biggie. AC works well. Thanks so much.

Okay, this 2wd to 4wd thing on the loyale is new to me. What are the rules for when it can be shifted from 2wd to 4wd? How can I tell if it is in 4wd? Thanks.

Has anyone ever had to replace the oil pump on a 2.2L engine? do they ever go bad, or do the seals just leak?

I am considering putting a junk yard tranny in my 91 Legacy. In most cars, this wouldn't worry me. Check the fluid color and in it goes! But on Subaru's there's no way to know if the tranny was damaged due to improper towing from the accident scene or if it has torque binding issues or if there is front differential bearing/gear noise. Any feedback on a junk yard tranny? Do I need to worry about pinion backlash? I may have the junk yard put it in...since I don't have a tranny jack or hoist. But if it requires measuring backlash and balancing the driveshafts...I'm not sure they're up to it. Any feedback on the junk yard install idea is welcome. Thank!

Yep. Moved to old gen side. thanks for tips.

They are only asking $1800 I think, but they say the body is in really bad shape, from rust. So I need to take a look. If I choose to pass on it, I wil let you know where it is...but only after I have a peak. Will look at it tomorrow.

One more question on the Loyale. It has to be manually shifted from 2WD to 4WD. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? Is it an okay set up? Thanks.

I am looking to buy a Subary Loyale. 1992 with 27,000 miles. Consumer Reports blasts this vehicle! It says engine problems, electrical problems, brake problems, and exhaust problems. The price is awsome for such low miles, but hate to send good money after bad. What do I need to look for regarding the engine? should I just run away from Loyales?? I am looking into putting a Legacy 2.2L engine into the car...if it will fit. I have heard rummors about the Loyales having terrible oil pressure problems. Is this true? Also, if other Loyale owners liked the 2WD to 4WD option. Sounds like a good way to get better gas milege.

Is it possible to put at subaru Legacy 2.2L engine into a 1992 Loyale? I know the Loyale has a terrible reputation with engine problems and I want to know before I buy it, if a swap to a better engine is possible. Also is a kit needed?

thanks guys.

Okay, I have come to the conclusion that I am in way over my head on this one. thanks for the advice, but I think I will have to just give up on this mission. I think it is beyond my level of expertise. thanks for the pics.

If my Subaru, heaven forbid, skids off the road into a ditch and I want it pulled out, on most cars this is no big deal. But I am wondering, if the tow truck puts a wench on my subaru and drags it out, will this ruin the transmission? Is there anyway to pull a Subaru out of a ditch without damaging the tranny?

Oh, I don't know. All I remember from school is that everything has to be spaced just right or it doesn't work. Is there any problem with using the shims from the "new" differential? When I pull the axles from the old one, I was planning to just toss the old shims from the old bearing housing and use the "new" ones so that they match the "new" case. Will this cause any problems? Thanks.

Are you talking about the shims at the bearing housing (on the outer edges of the differential)? I know there are quite a few shims/spacers inside a differential, which is why the things scare me. Or are you talking about a shim where the differential matches up to the tranny? Maybe I should just take the car out and shoot it. Thanks for the reply, though. i wasn't sure anyone was going to answer me.

I say it really does need to be fixed. If the darn thing leaks then you have to take it all back apart AGAIN! Take a pair of small vice grips and see if you can turn the nub out. Take care not to break off the nub. Then it gets much uglier. If that doesn't work, check prvious postings for other tips. Last resort is drilling out the bolt with a bolt extraction bit. Follow directions on box closely. A keyless chuck drill does not work well for this purpose. I always have to barrow a keyed chuck drill when I run across this. good luck!

Too bad you are so far away, I might consider it myself. A mechanic might find it a good deal.

I think you are on the right track. Is your key damaged or badly bent? The interior lights fuse is hot at all times. The wiper fuse and radio fuse are hot with ignition on...I think. So turn the key on and check the wiper, radio, anything else that only comes on with the key is turned on. If these don't work, I would certainly suspect the ignition switch. There is a testing proceedure, but I will refer you to the Haynes Repair Manual, becuase there are some precautions regarding air bags, and soob ign wiring may vary by model. If you have a 1990 to 1998 Legacy, I can copy down the testing directions from my book. Good luck.