GT Wagon
07-20-2006, 09:04 AM
I've just returned from almost an entire month of motor "hell". Towards the end of June I arrive home and the car stalls in the driveway. It took a while to figure out and I found my "clutch cable" split and leaked all the fluid out. Of course the dealer didn't have the part and there were none available in all of Canada. They had to order from Japan. I had a local shop special order braided line and fab somethign up in the nic of time for a trip that Friday.
Two weeks later I'm driving around and the car just dies. I had just crossed over to the American side of the border when this happened. Long story short my wife had to drive down in the Forester and I towed it home. She's never driven a car with no power so it wasn't very much fun for her to get towed for more than 100 miles.
What was the problem pray tell ? A stupid idler pulley siezed, caused the timing belt to jump and bye-bye valve stems. VERY lucky for me one of the guys in the Subaru club is a Subie tech and has a garage at home.
$1400 later I have used heads, new headgasket (which was replaced recently anyways) , timing belt and a few maitenance parts. Seeing as the motor is DOHC there's no promise the headgasket won't go again.
I was very very tempted to go full WRX swap but didn't for several reasons. Its sad since I spent about 1/3 the cost anyway.
1) I didn't feel like dropping $5k right about now
2) This isn't the car I want to keep long term - I want red or white and the body isn't A1.
So, hopefully all's well and the car will treat me better . I've only had it since last September. Its proof that "stuff" happens. This car was a one owner and dealer maintained its entire life. Goes to show it could happen to any car.
Long term plans. Find a really nice 97-99 Red wagon (yes I know they're rare) and move up , then do a full out WRX swap and live hapily ever after. I really like the 00-04 wagons but they also weigh a lot more and I do compete in Solo II and winter events.
Two weeks later I'm driving around and the car just dies. I had just crossed over to the American side of the border when this happened. Long story short my wife had to drive down in the Forester and I towed it home. She's never driven a car with no power so it wasn't very much fun for her to get towed for more than 100 miles.
What was the problem pray tell ? A stupid idler pulley siezed, caused the timing belt to jump and bye-bye valve stems. VERY lucky for me one of the guys in the Subaru club is a Subie tech and has a garage at home.
$1400 later I have used heads, new headgasket (which was replaced recently anyways) , timing belt and a few maitenance parts. Seeing as the motor is DOHC there's no promise the headgasket won't go again.
I was very very tempted to go full WRX swap but didn't for several reasons. Its sad since I spent about 1/3 the cost anyway.
1) I didn't feel like dropping $5k right about now
2) This isn't the car I want to keep long term - I want red or white and the body isn't A1.
So, hopefully all's well and the car will treat me better . I've only had it since last September. Its proof that "stuff" happens. This car was a one owner and dealer maintained its entire life. Goes to show it could happen to any car.
Long term plans. Find a really nice 97-99 Red wagon (yes I know they're rare) and move up , then do a full out WRX swap and live hapily ever after. I really like the 00-04 wagons but they also weigh a lot more and I do compete in Solo II and winter events.