nkx Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 well since my last 'wagon woes' post ive fixed a few things on the car (89 ea82 turbo wagon). i replaced the timing belts, water pump, acc belt, cam seal gaskets, oil pump gaskets, and the radiator & hoses. resealed the area around the sunroof delete too. 3 weekends ago, i peeked inside the rad cap and noticed it needed some coolant. it took a pretty big gulp to top it off. the reserve was empty too. this raised a red flag. (please not blown HGs!) i did find that the coolant hose coming from the turbo was leaking slightly, but i dont know if it would have leaked that much. i also found a 'creamy' deposit on the underside of my oil cap after parking in the garage one night , but havent seen it since. the car has been idling strangely also. idles ok off a cold start, then 5 mins or so after the car has warmed up the idle magically increases to ~2500 rpm. it holds that peak for about a minute, then drop offs suddenly to ~1000 rpm, and then build back up to 2500. it will continue to do this, with oscillations becoming more frequent as it runs. it will idle normally after about 10 mins. this is irritating, but im more concerned about the next part. i tested the compression this weekend to see about the HGs, but i think i need to do a leak down test? to see exactly whats going on. cyl 1 was 110 psi, cyl 2 was 65 (95 w/oil added), cyl 3 was 122, and cyl 4 was 125. would a leak down test be able to definitely tell me if i had a leaky head gasket or bad rings? vacuum has always been low too; 12 in/hg at idle, 14 on overrun (leaky intake manifold gasket? shot rings?). noticed a white deposit on the plugs when i pulled them to test compression, too. i think i could do head gaskets, but if its rings, i dont know... :-\ is anyone whos made it this far through my rant able to offer any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 go re read this thread here, read GeneralDisorder's post. that says it all.the fact that it improved by 30 points with oil added bodes Ill for your piston rings.. but junkyard engines are not TOO difficult to be had, and it cant be any more difficult to swap the engines than it would be to change the headgaskets... good luck. I hope this doesn't mean that yer soob gets taken out to the filed to be put down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nkx Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 an engine swap was in the back of my head; however i dont want to put in a motor that has the same problems or worse than what ive got now. i did email CCR on monday morning, but im still waiting for a response. :-\ still not 100% sure what im gonna do. it would be stupid to replace the car right now with an impreza. i wouldnt find an imp with full disc brakes, lsd, etc within my price range. i know i cant full on rally the wagon, but i still want to rallycross it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 mega-squirt, and an EJ. "easy" button? easy to say and do on paper at least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nkx Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 mega-squirt, and an EJ. "easy" button? easy to say and do on paper at least i thought about that too, but i think id get stuck in a wiring nightmare. im not quite ready to tackle megasquirt or an EJ swap let alone both at the same time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 i thought about that too, but i think id get stuck in a wiring nightmare. im not quite ready to tackle megasquirt or an EJ swap let alone both at the same time! when you really look at the project, both at the same time is FAR simpler than either by itself. the megasquirt is just a computer to make your engine and fuel injection run. the EJ is just the longblock and FI system youre putting under the hood. You wire everything up, with the donor harness from the EJ car, and the MS apparatus, you could even set it up to start and test run on an engine stand, then take the vehicle out of service (if its a running, DD type vehicle) to (carefully!) tear all the native stuff out of the car, and simply plug the new stuff into your chassis/driveline. the project isnt major. the PRODUCT is major, and that fact can be daunting. I am becoming convinced of this more everyday.. and I will be honest and sheepishly say that I've yet to put my theory into motion, for lack of fundage.. BUT I believe you can see my point. In any case, this could be a goal, and the vehicle could be "hobbled" in the meantime to keep it on the road until the motor can be assembled and installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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