1 Lucky Texan

long ago at nasioc I had read of an alternative plugged port but, not even sure of what engine was being discussed. hopefully, GD ( @GeneralDisorder or some other guru can respond - I suppose there's no reason not to use the sender's port but, there are pancake (or is it waffle?) adapters that can go under the oil filter. sometimes the soobs from the 90s can have leaks on the back of the oil pump from screws loosening. on rare occasions, some soobs in the early 2000s have suffered cracked pick-up tubes. that's about the extent of my help though lol!

tires are stock size?

did she report any clacking/ticking noises too? the OP switch/sender is kinda under the alt. That thing comes on at something like 4psi. If she overfilled though, maybe she still had oil flowing? I suppose we're sure it was the oil light and not - what? ABS or CEL, etc.? anyway, hope the car is OK.

I once has a Honda that had an odd feeling to the clutch. Turned-out to be carpet fibers gumming-up/jamming the clutch cable. the variability of what you experience seems like it could be the cable getting occasionally jammed? otherwise - it seems a lot like a cracked fork as GD says - read about that a few times. Seems more common when people get 'upgraded' clutches in mid-life or older soobs. Stock fork can't handle xtra pressure after it's had 10s or a hundred thousand miles on it.

not to pound away at it, but, a great triple check for timing is a tooth count. You can find the proper tooth count for your engine on-line. you only need to bring the pulley marks around so the marks are on a belt tooth, then count teeth between the marks. An engine cane run 2 maybe 3 teeth off. that sais, it really does seem like the fuel was old or contaminated - a product like our Techron might clean the system and injectors out to some degree. getting data with a ELM327 BT adapter and smartphone app like Torque could help going forward. look at the knock sensor, they can crack and go bad without setting a code. cheap replacement have worked well for people here - often bought from ebay for instance. It will rob power - pulls ignition timing too much. just some ideas.

due probably to pics being held hostage at a hosting site, the images I had up back on page 11 are gone. so, I will try to post one that was 2005, several weeks after I got my 2006 WRX wagon I'm quite a bit more grey now lol!

It's farther than that just from here (Pantego TX) to Austin !

Scalman is nextdoor in Lithuania I think @scalman

some newer soobs are shipping with smaller batteries. Probably an EPA-induced attempt to reduce weight. many complaints about that issue in Outbacks over at www.ou ...uh....another Forum.

just an aside, a guy I work with used to work for Littlefuse. He is sharp! Kinda good to see they can make good stuff.

tried starter fluid? if it fires/runs, that would point to a fueling issue.

what years seem to be affected? any relation to 'low' viscosity oil?

problem is, high output lights have reduced lifespan - that, plus, the xtra vibration of off-road will likely reduce the lifespan so, you'll be replacing them every 3-6 months. Some of them are hotter and might warp/melt the housing too. are any of your bulbs 9005 or 9006? There are some Toshibas, 9011 and 9012 (I THINK, please search) HIR type bulbs that are about 20% brighter - just need a tab cut/filed down to work. or some kind of Morimoto projector upgrade with HIDs ?

nvrmd

I might consider adding a coupla new lights. on the bumper or on a bar.....

any odd sounds when the light is on? it does seem like you've found the problem but, I think I'd want to check at the battery with a voltmeter, check the belt and maybe check the crank pulley for slippage. (it's 2 piece and can delaminate)

1. Was it towed on a flat bed or with some wheels on the ground? 2. to where was it towed? 3. is the car new to you? has it been well maintained? were fluid levels checked (particualry trans fluid, it must be check while idling.)

!!!! wow!

I guess it depends on whether you smell fuel, or, get some kind of evap or tank pressure codes thrown I guess ? - that would be my main concern . I suppose there are sealant options if required ?

if the valve cover gaskets leak oil into the plug tubes, that would increase the need to service them. You will begin getting misfures and that stresses the car for power and can ruin the cat. conv. . Probably not good for the coil either.

sounds kinda like an oil/water emulsion. I suppose some kind of failure of the trans cooler coil inside the radiator could create some substance like you described. again, check ALL fluids. remember, trans is checked while idling.

just check all your fluids and examine the CV boots - particularly the inner one for splits. maybe the rain is washing across some pre-existing oil or grease....? some folks that have had older 4EATs with 'delayed engagement' report very good results from using Trans-X. Often, they add it after doing a coupla drain/fill/drive-a-little procedures before the final darin and fill with the Trans-X only in the final fill.

kinda wondering if you have a sticking caliper. Light use of brakes could make it sound worse, heavy use could 'reset' it/free-up/shift the caliper? but, seems like you have experienced this before so......

sometimes, vice grips make things worse because the main force is squeezing tighter in one direction. Worth trying in an emergency of course. those VGs with the 'wr' suffix are very handy to have. they have a flat section, a curved pipe/rod grabbing area, and a wire cutter area - lots of holding and destruction options ! lol

some folks will take the top hose loose and fill the block with coolant thru there, then reconnect and finish filling. To try to reduce trapped air.