Well, looks like the s*** really hit the fan this time.

[Bohemian_Funk]

So I was driving along, minding my own business, when all of a sudden my wagon makes a loud noise, and then starts shuddering wildly, and loses a pretty goodly amount power. Now, knowing that my gaskets (all of them) are in pretty terrible condition, I assumed the worst, and limped it over to my friend's house, since his brother is a mechanic. Turns out that even though I had the oil changed 1,000 miles ago, it was basically out of oil. Great. And from the awful racket it makes when it's running, I may have thrown/blown a rod. I don't really know what's really wrong with it, but I should find out either late today, or tomorrow, as it's going to be towed over to the local dealership that's less than a mile away (nice and convenient).

If you're wondering why I'm not putting this under the NA Powertrain section, it's to say that I may no longer have the Legacy depending on the verdict from the shop. I will, however, be replacing it with another Subaru, even if I have to buy a GL or something. Currently depending on the transmission it has, I have my eyes on what looks to be a damned clean SS roughly 30 minute's drive from my house for $5k with a rebuilt motor. So I guess I might be putting up an FS thread soon for anyone that wants to buy some used '95 L Wagon parts (probably not any engine/transmission/suspension parts, as the car has over 230k miles on it).

Chances are good if I get my hands on an SS, I'll be turning it into a mountain-ready beast, by the way. Should be interesting. And of course I'll be sure to take lots of pics, and maybe do a couple write-ups based on the various modifications I'll be sure to do, regardless of what type of Legacy I get (if I get my hands on another one, of course) :wink:.

Here's hoping for the best,
Scott Helmer - AKA Bohemian_Funk

[HeresMyMind]

good luck with the outcome. sometimes god throws you a curve ball and makes it look a lot worse than it really is. i just found my rear main seal leak was really a oil seal leak from my axle. either way. stick with a skoobaru

-B

[A1Fiddler]

Wow, that really sucks. Good luck with it and stick with a Subie!

[ScaryFatKidGT]

oil pump?

yeah shops dont fix engines anymore they just charge like 3000 bucks and get a new engine to put in

[Bohemian_Funk]

Well I lucked out. Auburn Scarff Subaru FTW, apparently. They're sourcing a used engine with less than 100k miles on it to be put into my car at THEIR shop where they'll test it, replace parts as needed (including the clutch, and very likely my catalytic convertors) for less than 3k. So for those like A1Fiddler who live in the area, chances are good you guys will see me at the next NW meet as long as it's not in the next week and a half :cool: (unless you guys really want me to come in the '09 Impreza loaner car :lol:).

On top of that, while I was doing some research in possibly replacing my Scooby (with another one, of course), and found a guy selling an SS. He's all ready found a buyer, but he has information on a local place that will rebuild an EJ22 turbo with all subaru parts for 3500 bucks, with a 500 install. So soon I'll be calling the local Subie-only junkyard (in Seattle, Aaron's Auto) to see if they have any straight GC coupes, sans engine, if that tells you anything about the direction I might be going in :twisted:. I'm considering the idea of a GD exterior/interior conversion, sans front seats (not enough headroom for me and my 6' 3" tall frame), with what'll start out as a basically stock EJ22 turbo engine (which in that body will be JUST FINE for quite a while), and eventually turn into an EJ22/25 hybrid with a more efficient turbo, water injection, and a standalone EMS (maybe Hydra? Dunno, definitely looking at something that's easy-ish to tune, supports anti-lag, and doesn't foul up whenever the weather changes). All in all definitely purpose built for mountains/snow/beating the absolute crap out of Hondas, and will NEVER see daily driver use. Won't be cheap to do most of this, but it'll make for a great tinkering project for me so I won't be quite as tempted to turn the wagon into a rally machine :grin:. [EDIT: Maybe a drift machine though, you never know :wink:]

Oh yeah and in answer to the oil pump, it turns out my car simply leaked oil faster than I had expected it to (the engine had 233k miles on it, and hasn't had a gasket replaced, so you can only imagine...), and it ran out of oil. Rod blown, block ruined, end of story. Basically it was my fault for never checking my oil. Sure as hell won't make that mistake again.

Thanks for the support guys,
Scott

[Bohemian_Funk]

By the way ScaryFatKidGT, nice avatar :lol:.

"Arguing on NASIOC is like being in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you still get run over by a '99 Impreza WRC rally car from behind." :roll: