I let a buddy of mine borrow my '84 GL wagon 4x4 to drive from Virginia to Minnesota. We gave it a complete tune up before he left including all fluids. He made it to Chicago (over 600 miles) when the car started loosing power and blowing smoke out the back. He pulled off the next exit and the smoking quit and the power returned. He got back on highway went about 6 more miles with no problems and pulled off for the night. He has checked and all fluids and everything is full, oil pressure fine, temp. also fine. The only thing I could come up with was maybe one of the spark plug wires isn't on good, so he is going to check and restart this morning but I'm looking to figure out why this happened in case he breaks down I'll have some guess's ready to go. Any help would be wonderful and appreciated greatly.

Sounds like the PCV valve got stuck and sucked oil into the intake. Check it for proper operation. Check for oil in the air-box. It should be DRY in there.

 

Might also have blown an air suction valve, and sucked some of the plastic silencer material through the carb. Look to see if either of the silencers are melted.

 

GD

I like GD's PCV diagnosis .

 

Do 84's have the "long right hand turn" syndrome? that could explain it.

I had the exact same problem happen to me years ago with my 87 GL. It turned out to be exactly what Generaldisorder guessed. I ended up having a new piping and valve installed as part of some Subaru upgrade or recall???

The PCV valve we changed when we tuned it up so if it was this other valve you guys are referring to there's no real chance of the car just quitting on him I guess. It must not be to serious being he left Chicago around 7:00AM this morning and is still going without problems.

 

Thanks for all the good answers

Did you use a PCV from the dealer or from a generic parts counter? Many members have experienced bad results with after market PCV's. I'm sure some brands are ok, and others not, but the dealer is only about $5, so I usually just get em there. Change the PCV filter in the air box as well - little white foam guy.

 

If the ASV blows, it will make the engine louder, and sometimes you may smell exhaust if you have a window down or cracked. If the plastic didn't get caught in the carb, then it should be ok till you can get it fixed.

 

GD

The PCV was aftermarket (Advance Auto) as for the PCV filter they didn't have any available so I took out the old one, cleaned it well, then let it dry out.

 

I spoke to him late last night and he made it to Minnesota with no other incidents so it must be ok.

These cars are truley amazing. This car was my stump jumper, it was all to pieces. Rusted beyond belief, holes in frame and floor, it has been in puddles so deep there is still mud in the floor boards, 187,000 miles on the odometer, and it didn't pass Virginia inspection but it made it 1,300 miles with no real problems and from what he said decent gas mileage, Awesome cars.

 

 

 

Did you use a PCV from the dealer or from a generic parts counter? Many members have experienced bad results with after market PCV's. I'm sure some brands are ok, and others not, but the dealer is only about $5, so I usually just get em there. Change the PCV filter in the air box as well - little white foam guy.

 

If the ASV blows, it will make the engine louder, and sometimes you may smell exhaust if you have a window down or cracked. If the plastic didn't get caught in the carb, then it should be ok till you can get it fixed.

 

GD