Subarus are a joke
08 November 2012, 10:30 PM
#32
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Good luck with it fella. Like you, I found the flat 4 a challenge when I first looked at the bay, but a cup of tea with another spanner wielding mate and a dose of being methodical paid dividends.
Moral of the story, just like I have done is to get the right tools. As short a 3/8th extension as you can get, wobbly U joint and decent ratchet for the plugs.
Enjoy.
J
Moral of the story, just like I have done is to get the right tools. As short a 3/8th extension as you can get, wobbly U joint and decent ratchet for the plugs.
Enjoy.
J
09 November 2012, 06:43 AM
#34
Echo the sentiments above, they say a bad workman blames his tools, but thats bolax, you NEED the right tools for the job, as my mate Bob the builder says.
It can be challenging to work on any old car, as with any task the key is preperation, spray it with WD40 the day before, have a read up on the job and above all get a decent quality socket set, halfords do some decent tools and sometimes the special offers mean they can be had for a steal.
These days a quality socket set can be had for the price of a couple of hours labour at any local garage, never mind the prices that main stealers charge.
I also do pretty much all my servicing and am a firm believer in banger nomics, i have been using the same £1500 quid for about 8yrs banger buying and recon i'll get another 2yrs at least before my current one falls to pieces, i still have at least one nice car for best, but like to keep a **** box for me the mrs, kid and dog to wreck day to day, as do many on here.
It can be challenging to work on any old car, as with any task the key is preperation, spray it with WD40 the day before, have a read up on the job and above all get a decent quality socket set, halfords do some decent tools and sometimes the special offers mean they can be had for a steal.
These days a quality socket set can be had for the price of a couple of hours labour at any local garage, never mind the prices that main stealers charge.
I also do pretty much all my servicing and am a firm believer in banger nomics, i have been using the same £1500 quid for about 8yrs banger buying and recon i'll get another 2yrs at least before my current one falls to pieces, i still have at least one nice car for best, but like to keep a **** box for me the mrs, kid and dog to wreck day to day, as do many on here.
09 November 2012, 07:17 AM
#36
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This thread had shown what a forum is all about, ignore the ones that mock you and wallow in the warmth and advice from real Subaru enthusiasts.
I was 50 years old when I changed my 1st WRX spark plug. I was ready to ditch the thing, got a cup of tea, sat and looked at the engine bay and removed everything necessary to gain clear access, did the job and smiled with great satisfaction when the job was done.
The next big job I did was the cambelt
but when I did it it was
Good luck and enjoy your car
I was 50 years old when I changed my 1st WRX spark plug. I was ready to ditch the thing, got a cup of tea, sat and looked at the engine bay and removed everything necessary to gain clear access, did the job and smiled with great satisfaction when the job was done.
The next big job I did was the cambelt
but when I did it it was
Good luck and enjoy your car
Last edited by Oldun; 09 November 2012 at 07:25 AM. Reason: corrected speeling
09 November 2012, 11:49 AM
#38
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Well I now know not to get a Mondeo V6, Porsche or modern motorbike!
Thanks to all those offering support as I can see others have found working on Subarus initially daunting but perseverance and proper tools and preparation is obviously the key.
Sadly I have to work on the drive drive, so walking away to restart a job can be difficult due to crap weather.
Thanks to member Stedee for offering to sort it but as a 3 cylinder runner I am taking it half a mile to the village garage on Monday (far enough!).
I hope that the plug that eventually comes out does not fire, otherwise I will most likely have an injector problem?
Also, bought plugs off ebay, Bosch ones, but only Super Plus ones FR8 DCX+ maybe if its fouling would I be better with platinum ones?
In the meantime I am using my daughter's 95 Civic (which I bought her anyway!) but I have been spoiled and want the Legacy back!
Thanks to all those offering support as I can see others have found working on Subarus initially daunting but perseverance and proper tools and preparation is obviously the key.
Sadly I have to work on the drive drive, so walking away to restart a job can be difficult due to crap weather.
Thanks to member Stedee for offering to sort it but as a 3 cylinder runner I am taking it half a mile to the village garage on Monday (far enough!).
I hope that the plug that eventually comes out does not fire, otherwise I will most likely have an injector problem?
Also, bought plugs off ebay, Bosch ones, but only Super Plus ones FR8 DCX+ maybe if its fouling would I be better with platinum ones?
In the meantime I am using my daughter's 95 Civic (which I bought her anyway!) but I have been spoiled and want the Legacy back!
09 November 2012, 06:30 PM
#39
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can you not put one of the new plugs or another old one into the plug lead for that cylinder earth it and make sure it's sparking when running or turning over,
or does it have seperate coil packs
or does it have seperate coil packs
09 November 2012, 07:44 PM
#41
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Have tested the lead and cap with a new plug and it sparked. Just hoping old plug in the engine will not spark because if it does when tested in the same manner then must be fuel fault.
10 November 2012, 11:51 AM
#42
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The plugs are really easy if you have the right tools.
Make sure you have an extension bar that is the correct length and they can all be done in under 30mins. I always found moving the water bottle out of the way helps too as it's only a couple of screws.
Make sure you have an extension bar that is the correct length and they can all be done in under 30mins. I always found moving the water bottle out of the way helps too as it's only a couple of screws.
10 November 2012, 01:42 PM
#43
Yeah they are a pain to do, but not impossible. As said above, allow plenty of time and remove stuff to gain access. I used a spark plug kit from Halfords, which has a locking extension bar so you don't lose the socket, and a ratchet with a flexible head. Good luck, hope it is just the spark plug after all this
10 November 2012, 05:21 PM
#46
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Well I won't DELIBERATELY be smashing it up like the mower engine! In reply to Tubbytommy please don't think I really think Subarus are a rubbish car-far from it. But not all of us are mechanics, amateur or otherwise, but those like myself don't always want to pay for what on most vehicles are simple tasks even for us.
To be frank, I titled the thread so that it would be noticed-and it was! as if I had just put STRUGGLING WITH PLUG it would probably not aroused much interest.
So apologies to those annoyed with me and many thanks to the really helpful posts.
To be frank, I titled the thread so that it would be noticed-and it was! as if I had just put STRUGGLING WITH PLUG it would probably not aroused much interest.
So apologies to those annoyed with me and many thanks to the really helpful posts.
10 November 2012, 07:15 PM
#48
Mate, dont apologise for not being born with the correct set of tools and a subaru technicians workshop manual pre programmed into your brain,and not forgetting leather skin on your knuckles and the patience of a saint
It boils my **** the way your called thick etc ,for posting on here,everyone has to start somewhere,like learner drivers etc,weve all been there,some like myself are still learning about these cars,does that make me thick?
It boils my **** the way your called thick etc ,for posting on here,everyone has to start somewhere,like learner drivers etc,weve all been there,some like myself are still learning about these cars,does that make me thick?
10 November 2012, 08:19 PM
#49
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Mate, dont apologise for not being born with the correct set of tools and a subaru technicians workshop manual pre programmed into your brain,and not forgetting leather skin on your knuckles and the patience of a saint
It boils my **** the way your called thick etc ,for posting on here,everyone has to start somewhere,like learner drivers etc,weve all been there,some like myself are still learning about these cars,does that make me thick?
It boils my **** the way your called thick etc ,for posting on here,everyone has to start somewhere,like learner drivers etc,weve all been there,some like myself are still learning about these cars,does that make me thick?
10 November 2012, 11:03 PM
#52
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Well I won't DELIBERATELY be smashing it up like the mower engine! In reply to Tubbytommy please don't think I really think Subarus are a rubbish car-far from it. But not all of us are mechanics, amateur or otherwise, but those like myself don't always want to pay for what on most vehicles are simple tasks even for us.
To be frank, I titled the thread so that it would be noticed-and it was! as if I had just put STRUGGLING WITH PLUG it would probably not aroused much interest.
So apologies to those annoyed with me and many thanks to the really helpful posts.
To be frank, I titled the thread so that it would be noticed-and it was! as if I had just put STRUGGLING WITH PLUG it would probably not aroused much interest.
So apologies to those annoyed with me and many thanks to the really helpful posts.
Last edited by scooby(puppy power); 10 November 2012 at 11:05 PM.
12 November 2012, 05:50 PM
#53
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Well local mechanic got the plug out and put a new one in -DISASTER- still only runs on 3 cylinders!!!! Put a new plug on the HT cap and it sparhed against the block. Can smell petrol in exhaust so likely to be getting fuel.
So whats's left?? Some sort of horrible mechanical failure?
Over to you guys!!! Car left at village garage for some tests, but fear my fling with the Subaru might be a brief encounter.
Come on you lads, any clues??
So whats's left?? Some sort of horrible mechanical failure?
Over to you guys!!! Car left at village garage for some tests, but fear my fling with the Subaru might be a brief encounter.
Come on you lads, any clues??
12 November 2012, 06:15 PM
#55
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Get a compression test done. Could be a damaged piston/ring, a valve , cracked head ect if it reads low on that cylinder.
Just because a plug sparks when held against the head does not mean it sparks while under compression.
Just because a plug sparks when held against the head does not mean it sparks while under compression.
12 November 2012, 06:52 PM
#57
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I would take your tools back to PoundLand and let the village garage do their tests - seriously, the village mechanic will have a better idea looking at the car than us here guessing.
The plugs are not as bad as you make out .... not as easy as a 3 cylinder nova, granted - but not hard to do if you clear the area of water bottle and/or air trunking.
I'm really not sure if you can run a Subaru on a showstring? Not properly, anyway.
The plugs are not as bad as you make out .... not as easy as a 3 cylinder nova, granted - but not hard to do if you clear the area of water bottle and/or air trunking.
I'm really not sure if you can run a Subaru on a showstring? Not properly, anyway.
12 November 2012, 07:15 PM
#58
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Quite right, just wanted the AWD without having to have a jeep type vehicle.
Village mechanic specialises in Disco etc as live on the moors.
He is doing diagnostic tests tomorrow, and he said he would appraise the rest of the car also.
That said, it drove perfectly until last week. With it being a 97 vehicle, will have to weigh up if worth spending on.
Scrap offer is £205. Paid 525 for it 2000 miles ago, so will either take the hit of £300 or spend a bit more depending on test results. Has MOT until next June.
Village mechanic specialises in Disco etc as live on the moors.
He is doing diagnostic tests tomorrow, and he said he would appraise the rest of the car also.
That said, it drove perfectly until last week. With it being a 97 vehicle, will have to weigh up if worth spending on.
Scrap offer is £205. Paid 525 for it 2000 miles ago, so will either take the hit of £300 or spend a bit more depending on test results. Has MOT until next June.
12 November 2012, 07:54 PM
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Quite right, just wanted the AWD without having to have a jeep type vehicle.
Village mechanic specialises in Disco etc as live on the moors.
He is doing diagnostic tests tomorrow, and he said he would appraise the rest of the car also.
That said, it drove perfectly until last week. With it being a 97 vehicle, will have to weigh up if worth spending on.
Scrap offer is £205. Paid 525 for it 2000 miles ago, so will either take the hit of £300 or spend a bit more depending on test results. Has MOT until next June.
Village mechanic specialises in Disco etc as live on the moors.
He is doing diagnostic tests tomorrow, and he said he would appraise the rest of the car also.
That said, it drove perfectly until last week. With it being a 97 vehicle, will have to weigh up if worth spending on.
Scrap offer is £205. Paid 525 for it 2000 miles ago, so will either take the hit of £300 or spend a bit more depending on test results. Has MOT until next June.