1985GLWAGON Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Hey folks! Just got my very first Subaru. '85 GL Wagon 4WD-DR. And so far I can't believe it! I always thought these things were junk but it's actually a cool little car. I paid $550 for mine and almost everything works on it. I just went through a mud trail behind my house that I've never gotten through with any other car. Okay enough with the joy, I wanted to know if there's any routine maint. that I should do to protect my new baby? I just changed the plugs and all filters today (even that pcv filter!) Anyplace online have replacement parts? Autozone don't have much. I want new plug wires, cap & rotor etc. Also, what's the average life expectancy of a EA82 motor? mines got 136k and counting. I just mean how long until a rebuild is gonna be knockin' ? And I'm just looking for any other subie tips you veterans might have to keep her healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJM Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 timing belts every 50k miles. change the oil with GOOD oil every 3k, and ALWAYS use OE parts. keep the cooling system clean and fresh coolant.... and its good for another 136k! I work at Prestige SUBARU in Asheville NC, so anything you need, I can get it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Welcome to the board! I've found the basic tune up kit does extremely well on these old beasts. Plugs, a cap and wires seems to cure everything. Four wheel drive in a small car is amazing! Enjoy you new toy. Glenn 82 SubaruHummer 01 Forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 timing belts every 50k miles ... It's a non-interference engine, so if you're not worried about being stranded, Drive it 'til the belt breaks. I routinely got 100K out of our '87 GL T-belts. Everything else WJM said. Welcome, have fun, keep the oily side down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Cooling! Make sure fan comes on properly as the thermoswitch for the fans tends to go bad. Ensure the radiator is in good shape; not turning green or missing any fins. As WJM stated keep the coolant fresh and a back flush is a good idea. Water pump is key; grab the clutch fan and see if there is any play in the shaft to the pump. Make sure the shaft spins freely (slip off the belt to check that) Also don't assume the previouse owner did anything and do it all. Oil change first thing. Quality filter (Purelator is the same as an OEM Subaru filter and they got a pureONE for a premium model) some quality oil and keep a spare quart handy Glad to see you already did some maintanace. Also swap out the fuel filter. New gear lube in the tranny would be good too. PCV valve there behind the intake manifold. Air filter too for sure! Anything else I missed guys? Letem know! Welcome to the USMB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operose Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 gonna have to second the spare quart of oil (or two or three..) if your soob is anything like the rest you'll have some oil drips in the driveway like... today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1985GLWAGON Posted March 24, 2005 Author Share Posted March 24, 2005 Yeah, cooling system was my next hurdle since summer is coming. I figured on new hoses, stat, pump, etc. Probably do the timing belt then. I wish the shifter slop thing was easier to fix, I'll probably just leave it, the whole reason I bought it was to learn to drive a stick shift. What do you guys think of the maxlife valvoline oils? That's what's going in since I already bought it. Also, what gear lube would you recommend to make the tranny last the longest? Redline oil? It's pricey but only a few quarts is needed. Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1985GLWAGON Posted March 24, 2005 Author Share Posted March 24, 2005 That was the other thing, how do you make the EGR light go out? I assume it's just the reminder light not an actual malfuction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MudisFun Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Welcome, the best way to find info here is to do a search, although it might take a while to find what your looking for. Motor Oil 10w30 Mobile 1 Lucas Synthetic Oil Treatment Gear Oil Red Line 75-140 Syn Royal Purple Syn To reset the computer kill all of the juice for a full day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 That was the other thing, how do you make the EGR light go out? I assume it's just the reminder light not an actual malfuction. Correct on the EGR light - comes on every 30k - means check EGR valve - I think there are a couple green connectors under the dash that you have to connect - can't remember - I converted to fuel injection, and I don't have my factory service manual (FSM) with me Great car, safe all 'round, but drives VERY well - I went on a trip at 70-75 mph yesterday and it handled like a champ. the Hitachi carb - prone to going with little warning - if it does go, put a Weber on it instead - better carb, common mod. to carbed soobs (so is converting to FI - but that is a lot more work) one other thing you should consiter is the re-seal on the front of the engine - that involves replacing cam/crank seals and ALL oil pump seals - not too hard to do if T-belt is off - will stop most all oil leaks - I try to do mine when they start leaking (took 128k to do so) - keeps the valve tick away (the infamous Tick of Death TOD) - TOD is not fatal to the engine, but it can drive you insane www.1stsubaruparts.com is used by many board members - stock most OEM parts (but does not have as much access to parts as a dealsership) - go OEM for ALL ignition components - if the plugs aren't NGK, they probably won't last too long BTW - change your gear oil for the tranny - it will need it, also Lucas Synthetic oil treatment is not needed if you are running synthetic oil - know from expierence - be cautious about using any additives in general as some can cause undesireable effects and viscosity changes to the oil STAY AWAY FROM FRAM FILTERS, OR ANYTHING ELSE FRAM FOR THAT MATTER - oil filter elements are known to disintegrate and kill engines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwbsage Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Welcome to the Soob world....check out this post http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32721 Also by doing searches you'll find sooo much great info ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 knock out all the maintenance now and youre good to go. keep oil in it and the bottom end will last over 300,000 miles. if you are used to junk rump roast domestics throw everythig you know about cars out the window and welcome to SUBARU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyromanic Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Quote "I always thought these things were junk, but.." I sure run into that a lot. Funny how many folks don't know just how cool these little cars are! We have two parts houses here in Podunk Oregon. A NAPA and a discount generic. The NAPA guys get it. They are enthusiastic and helpful. The discount guys look at me like I'm nuts when I say '85 Subaru and don't even try very hard to help. They give up half the time and say "don't know". Guess who's getting most of my business? Anyway, enjoy and good luck!! Hope you find parts guys that get it! Pyro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorab Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I have an '86 GL sedan. Love the car. I bought it at 186,000 miles from a guy who didn't want to pay to have his broken T-belts replaced. While I did the T-belts, I went ahead and did the head gaskets as a cylinder had low compression. I had to replace the fuel pump last week (though I hear this is very rare). Pull your vac lines while engine is running and check for vac. Mine had a couple of clogged lines. If you need to replace lines, remember that many have accurate orifices in them. I don't know where to find the orifices. This thing runs like a champ and almost every component and system works fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1985GLWAGON Posted March 25, 2005 Author Share Posted March 25, 2005 Thanks for all the tips people! I just changed the tranny oil today, I used 80W-90 I figure it's good enough although I had to use the cheap Coastal brand since they didn't have enough of any other brand in stock, and I didn't want to mix brands. Didn't notice any difference in driving but I guess that's a good thing since It drove perfectly before! I'm going to wait till it warms up a little outside to do the cooling system, and that leaves me with NOTHING to do! This is the first used car I've ever gotten (#6 and counting) that really needs nothing done. Even the tires are brand new (although the guy must have been one of those people who looks at their tires and says "it looks a little low, I'll just add a bit of air" instead of using a gauge. They had 40+ psi in them! And that was when it was 35 degrees outside in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Just wanted to say, Welcome to the Board! We used to live in Midway, '91-'94. Wife has Family there. And yes, these are awesome vehicles, I'm hooked along with the Wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonwingsubaru Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 when you say the owner had the tires at 40 psi what were they rated at? the ones on my soob are rated for 44 psi max. welcome to the soob madness lol you can have alot of fun with these at stock height, but from what i have seen even more fun if you lift them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Hey folks! Just got my very first Subaru. '85 GL Wagon 4WD-DR. And so far I can't believe it! I always thought these things were junk but it's actually a cool little car. I paid $550 for mine and almost everything works on it. I just went through a mud trail behind my house that I've never gotten through with any other car.Okay enough with the joy, I wanted to know if there's any routine maint. that I should do to protect my new baby? I just changed the plugs and all filters today (even that pcv filter!) Anyplace online have replacement parts? Autozone don't have much. I want new plug wires, cap & rotor etc. Also, what's the average life expectancy of a EA82 motor? mines got 136k and counting. I just mean how long until a rebuild is gonna be knockin' ? And I'm just looking for any other subie tips you veterans might have to keep her healthy. 136k your car is just a baby. Also get yourself a copy of how to keep your subaru alive forever, great book and you will be able to do all work on the subie yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJM Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 mine are max rated to 35...but I run them at 60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikvr Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Find yourself a copy of the out of print "How To Keep Your Subaru Alive" by Owens (John Muir Idiot Auto Series). You can find them on Amazon, and they are a bit pricey but TOTALLY worth it. Using mine, it got an AWESOME tune up, and by troubleshooting the emissions, I increased my mileage from 19 to 28-30 mpg! And I don't know much about cars. You will save a bundle with that book and this message board. As for engine life, I am at 261,500 and counting on the ORIGINAL engine. Only real repair was the Head gaskets -= changed at 200,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1985GLWAGON Posted March 27, 2005 Author Share Posted March 27, 2005 Tires were only rated for 35 psi, they had ZERO bulge on the bottom, that's what tipped me off to check the pressure. I don't know if it would have damaged them but they looked ready to burst. I'm going to check into that book too. Found out today someone rigged the fuel pump all back-assward. They replaced it with some el-cheapo brand and spliced it in. (they ran a wire up through the bottom of the back seat along the rocker panel, through the firewall and hooked it to a post on the ignition coil of all places. The pump makes an awful clicking sound with the power turned on. Which brings me to my question, the stock harness is still there intact but I didn't get any power out of it. Where is the fuse at? There's a fuse marked "Fuel" on the fuse block but it's empty with no terminals inside. Is there a relay? If I can get the harness connector to work I'll buy a OEM style pump and fix it right, $96 from NAPA, but otherwise I'll just leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subynut Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 mine are max rated to 35...but I run them at 60. I hope your kidding. That's just begging for a blowout. Espeasially if your driving habbits are as bad as mine: Petter Solberg Jr. in training:burnout:You might get away with 5 over the max rating, but not 25 over. Between 32 and 35 psi is the reccomended pressure for our Subies for best mileage and tread life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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