1 Lucky Texan

interesting - no chance the owner used any type of leak-fix? or had a different shop do so? you might contact SoA, if there's every indication their products were used per their instructions, maybe there's a chance for some 'good will' with a refund or other assistance. kinda want some lab to analyze the stuff you found to see if it ALL is from the soob product. this may be the first time I've read of a problem with the soob conditioner. a LOT of cars have had this put in them.

check inside the radiator for coolant level too. I also put 2 small zip ties on the little overflow tube at the nipple on the rad's neck - just to make sure air isn't pulled in, instead of coolant.(likely unrelated to your symptoms)

5000fingers (of Dr. Terwilliger ?) - I have had a bad battery set wierd codes in the past on our 03 . maybe check for a bad cell in the battery?

use a little heat from a torch, THEN carefully spray with penetrant - the cooling/contraction may help pull the penetrant into the rusty area. easy-good penetrant is ATF+Acetone 50:50 - shaken before use.

how old is the radiator cap? is fluid being pushed into the overflow? how's the level in the radiator? make sure the little overflow tube isn't jammed againts the bottom of the tank, many of us pull it out and cut the bottm at a 45* angle - use a tiny clamp or a coupla small zip ties on that tube's nipple at the radiator neck. thermostat must be OEM style; since you just bought it, I wouldn't discount the possibility someone has mistakenly put gear oil in the trans - it's been done before. so, also check the front diff's oil level in case it was drained.

any signs or damage to the radiator or the front left corner of the car? just wondering if cooler or filter lines coul;d be pinched or ????

careful of that first 1 or 2 stops - I'm sure there's plenty of rust on the rotors - you might consider inspecting the brakes closely. calipers may not slide. look around for signs of rodent damage too. fluid changes would be a good idea.

look at the trans pan - pushed in or dented? um - you're checking fluid level while idling right? best after moving shifter thru each gear and at operating temps.

you may need a more sophisticated scan - freessm, or a dealer....? It does seem like a TCU issue. as for easy DIY - start by a careful inspection of wiring, maybe some rodents have chewed thru some harness somewhere or a wire has been pinched or pulled by maintenance, repair work or a wreck. There are even some odd problems that can be caused by blown brake lights and brake fuses. but, you may need a dealer or well-equipped shop to help with this one.

dig around at www.cars101.com for cabin filter instructions.

got new tires installed on the WRX yesterday (Kumho ECSTA 4X II) after work - ordered them from DT last week to get a $75 Labor Day rebate.

not positive ; some early 2000 soobs were cabin filter 'capable' I think but may not have been delivered with it installed - it was an option maybe?

does it smell like coolant? if the car has a cabin air filter, could it be wet with condensation? drain tube clogged?

check the other idlers to see if they are wobbly. or maybe a cam pulley is cracked? others may have better ideas.

might be a sticker/stencil on top of it?

car details? also, you can get a vacuum gauge on 'loan' from most any parts store.

well, that fuel pump is a surprise to me. Does it seem original? and I don't like how that TB seems to be walking off the front of the crank sprocket. at this point, I'm wondering about fuel pressure, maybe find a way to measure it. Or perhaps someone knows a way to test that fuel pump on the bench?

a large vacuum leak may let in enough unmetered air that the ECU has exhausted it's ability to compensate. Or a fueling problem is present - failing pump, etc. you may need someone to log live data and do other diagnostic procedures to find the problem. I'ts common fro cruise control and traction control and other similar systems to be deactivated on modern cars when a DTC is set.

thanx

CEL could easily be related to the exhaust work if there's leakage or disassembly - as said above, get the code. only other thing I'm gonna add is, the thermostat needs to be OEM style;

subscribed for golucky's pic

will the car start with a 'jump' from another car?

jpa - get this figured out yet?

I was told by a collision shop guy once that they sometimes put a jack under a special thing that goes in the latch and force doors upwards to 'adjust' alignment.!!!!! I didn't like the way that sounded but...? I think they also have a bar with a device that fits into the latch they can 'lever' a door up with. And there are ways to use shimes. usually, you need new pins and bushings but, I guess there are a few ways to 'rig' a repair.