New member from N. Dakota, Winter Beater '95 Legacy LS Sedan

[scoobynut]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to your fine forum, but not new to Subarus. This '95 is the third 2nd gen Legacy I've had -- altogether I've had eight Subarus since the mid '90s. BTW, have been using the 'search' function a lot before posting this intro to research a few of the issues this '95 has.

Anyways about this car. Found it in the local classifieds, 191k miles, the owner was asking $500 but I got him down to $450. He had a receipt from the Subaru dealer in Mandan (N.D.) showing what work the car needed. Quite a lot really: rear driveshaft/propeller shaft was shot, struts were leaking and soft, they recommended timing belt/water pump, complete engine reseal due to numerous oil leaks, and some steering boot or something was torn on the steering rack. Previous owner didn't get any of the recommended work done, he just decided to sell it. On the upside, it ran good, tranny shifted well, there were no problems with the AWD system (other than the driveshaft), and overall it was in pretty good shape other than a few bumps and bruises, a little bit of rust around the rear wheel wells and a few stains in the interior (cleaned up nicely). I ran a carfax and no accidents or other issues were reported. So I bought it. Had the T-belt and new water pump, idlers and tensioners done, complete engine reseal, found a good used rear driveshaft for $120 and bought new KYB GR-2s online for $70 a piece. Front strut mount rubber was pretty cracked so I got new ones. Some other minor parts I got through NAPA and then brought everything to the dealer in Mandan -- they're very cool like that, don't care if I bring in my own parts to save money. Oh, forgot to mention, guy I bought it from also threw in a set of steel winter wheels with the car, tires were shot however.

So, there are still a few issues remaining: power antenna is snapped off (motor still works). Car also has what I believe is the dreaded Hydraulic Lash Adjuster 'tick tick tick' noise. Fuel guage is wildly innacurate -- I fill it up and it only reads 3/4 tank, and also when it reads "E," I fill it up and it only takes about 8-9 gallons. I'm going to run it down farther and see if the low fuel light comes on, otherwise I'm not going to worry about it. Last, the CEL came on and scan reads 'P0400 EGR flow' so I need to look into that. Despite the issues, it runs good with good power, steady idle and no weird noises other than the tick tick tick.

Anyways, here are a few pictures. I look forward to using the forum as a resource to keep this thing chugging along so I can keep my WRX in the garage when it's nasty out.

Pretty dirty, I might wash it in April, hah!:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030761-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030762-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030759-1.jpg

Had four of these bad boys put on today:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030760-1.jpg

Car the Winter Beater is keeping out of the weather (I'm sure you'll understand). Tires look pretty gray because I had a little fun on the gravel before the weather turned:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030684-1.jpg

[Okin DaVanh]

Last, the CEL came on and scan reads 'P0400 EGR flow' so I need to look into that.



Welcome.

Try cleaning out the EGR itself, then SeaFoam.

[scoobynut]

Last, the CEL came on and scan reads 'P0400 EGR flow' so I need to look into that.



Welcome.

Try cleaning out the EGR itself, then SeaFoam.

Thanks for the tip and for the welcome. I did a search for the P0400 code, and I recall seeing someone mention something about a gasket for the EGR. Should the gasket be replaced if I remove and re-install the EGR? If so, should I use gasket sealant on it? Or is it simpler than all that? I apologize for the noob questions. :)

[Okin DaVanh]

Thanks for the tip and for the welcome. I did a search for the P0400 code, and I recall seeing someone mention something about a gasket for the EGR. Should the gasket be replaced if I remove and re-install the EGR? If so, should I use gasket sealant on it? Or is it simpler than all that? I apologize for the noob questions. :)

:smt018 Don't apologize for asking. We ALL have to start somewhere, and if you don't ask, you might not ever know. :smt023 Yes, I would put another gasket on and a "tacking" sealant. Definitely check the DIY section for more info.



Power Antenna= See Httrd's FS post. He has 1.

And the Tic tic tic= Try changed the Oil that your using as well as spark plugs. Some re-gap and cure the problem/some swap them out for better.

[scoobynut]

And the Tic tic tic= Try changed the Oil that your using as well as spark plugs. Some re-gap and cure the problem/some swap them out for better.

I did quite a lot of searching regarding the ticking sound, but didn't hear anyone mention spark plugs, mostly just worn/collapsed Hydraulic Lash Adjusters. Is there something I missed somewhere? Thanks again for the tips -- I guess before this intro. turns into a tech Q&A I'd better start asking some of these questions in the proper forums... :smile:

[Bookem]

Welcome to sl-i! What's that white stuff on the ground in your pictures??? lol
Do you participate any autox? I've been wanting to go out to Bismarck and try some of the events out there since we haven't been having too many here in Fargo anymore.

[scoobynut]

Welcome to sl-i! What's that white stuff on the ground in your pictures??? lol
Do you participate any autox? I've been wanting to go out to Bismarck and try some of the events out there since we haven't been having too many here in Fargo anymore.

I don't even want to talk about that white sh*t on the ground! I did Auto-X about three years ago, did some in both Minot and Bismarck in my MR2, but I spend so much time riding motorcycles in the summer now that I just haven't done it lately. Now that I have the new Rex, I will probably give it a try again next summer. Google "Badlands Region SCCA" and you should be able to find the upcoming schedule and whatnot. Here's a photo of my now retired Auto-X car:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030696-1.jpg

[scoobynut]

Hi again everyone. Just thought I'd post a quick update on my experiences with the car so far. Somehow my mysterious ticking noise has completely gone away. I did add about 4 or 5 ounces of Seafoam to the crankcase right after I bought the car, so maybe that did it. I also learned the car had been sitting since last Spring, so maybe the inactivity temporarily collapsed the HLAs and they've since 'healed' themselves? Or maybe a combination of the two. In any case, motor is so quiet now about all you can hear is the pulleys spinning the belts. You gotta love a self-healing car!

As far as the P0400 CEL code, my (very competent) local Subaru dealer ran a diagnostic and determined it was a faulty Back Pressure Transducer (BPT) so I installed a new one ($78.00) and the light has stayed off for about 400 miles now. I also had them clean the EGR valve and check the EGR hoses while they were at it.

The headlights were pretty dim, so I polished them up and installed some Silverstar bulbs, which has helped a lot. I also replaced the three HVAC bulbs so I can see what I'm doing at night. I somehow stabbed my finger with a flathead screwdriver while I was undoing the electrical connectors and had to clean a bit of blood off the dash. Ouch.

Anyways, have put about 1,500 miles on the car so far with no problems. In some ways I enjoy driving it around town more than my WRX -- it's just so cush and relaxed with the automatic, but still handles pretty nice with the new GR2 struts. I have a set of UKDM 17" WRX wheels (same as Legacy B4 wheels?) laying around and might slap 'em on come Springtime just for the hell of it. Might look kind of funny with the huge fender gaps, but probably shouldn't have any clearance problems with 215/45-17s. I might also look at some slight variations on that tire size to keep the gearing and speedometer close to stock. Oh, and it sure is nice not worrying about door dings too!

[chuckthefuk]

Welcome to SLi and nice lineup of cars.

[scoobynut]

Welcome to SLi and nice lineup of cars.

Thanks for the welcome, Chuck. Will make a donation tonight as I suspect I'll be getting a lot of mileage from SLI to keep my Leggy chugging along for many years to come.

[Okin DaVanh]

Good to see you got through some of those issues and it's running better!

[scoobynut]

Thanks Okin! I think next on my list is a couple of drain & fills of the transmission, which I'll probably do every other oil change until I get 'em both done. Maybe add some Lubegard before the 1st drain/fill, per advice I've seen on SLI. Transmission works great, it even shifts smoothly from 1st to 2nd, but I have no idea when the fluid was last changed. Oh, and will do the diffs. too. The push for 300k is on!