Miscellaneous Rant about the Legacy

[Legacy777]

I seem to have several issues going on, and the most recent one has the potential to be quite serious.

I was coming home from the airport yesterday. I got home, and let the car idle while I went inside to get something. I was reading the mail in the garage and thought, it's been idling for a while, and the coolant fans haven't kicked on. I checked the dash, and the gauge is just below 3/4 of the way up. I kick on the A/C, fans turn on, and temp drops. I plugged in the select monitor to check the temps, and temps never really get about 183-189 or something like that. Yet the gauge on the dash rises. I confirmed it, as I drove the Legacy to work this morning. Same results, and the car didn't seem to reach NOT that quickly, based on the ECU's coolant sensor.

It's a damn good thing these cars have two sensors, or I probably would have been fubared, or would not have figured things out. The coolant overflow was a little high, but I don't think that would have caused it. I did drain some, and top off the expansion tank. Since the dash gauge was working, I don't think it's trapped air. I've got a new sensor coming.....but am not looking forward to changing it......


Ok....the next issue. My AWIC doesn't seem to be holding water. I'll top it off, and it always seems to go down. I hadn't checked it in a while, and it was down further then normal. However I don't really see a leak anywhere. I have my supsicions that the core has a crack in it, and the motor is injesting the water. I bought a radiator pressure tester and UV dye to try and figure out where the leak is. If I have to pull the core out....again, I'm not looking forward to that either....that will suck superly.


Starting issues, I've been battling this since I did the turbo swap (probably coincidental though) The car will click, and sometimes start if I turn the ignition a few times. Recently, I've discovered, if I disconnect the black connector going to the ignition switch, and then plug it back in, the car will turn over and start or if the battery is low/dead, it will at least turn over some. I need to try and pull the starter interlock relay and see if the issue is that, or if it's something else. I'm hoping it's the starter interlock relay.

To add to the starting issues, I just had the regulator replaced in the HO alternator I bought. Even now, it still won't keep the voltage at 14.4 or around that. It's always in the 13's. While an old newer legacy alternator will keep voltage in the 14's and/or high 13's. I need to do some voltage drop testing and see if there's something going on. But I can't say I'm too happy with that alternator right now.


Plus....I think I have a wheel bearing that's starting to make noise...


So that's my rant for now....

[bmxkelowna]

wheel bearings F**K them!!
ive had two legacys in a little over two years and ive done 5, yes 5 different wheel bearings on the both of them for blood sake!

if i never bought an other legacy, it would only be because of wheel bearings

[Legacy777]

Are they that bad to do?

[bmxkelowna]

they are pressed into the spindle so unless you have a press you need to bring it some where to do. and they are not that cheap eather ill let you know how much this bearing is when i picked my car up from suabru today

[entirelyturbo]

The process should be nothing new to you Josh, since you swapped hubs in your AWD swap.

The fronts aren't exactly a picnic, but the rears are a huge pain in the testes, with the parking brake and all.

Past that (i.e. actually pressing the bearings out and in the hub), I have no experience. I've always had someone else do them.

I strongly recommend OEM bearings though, not because I think they're a quality product, but because I think the aftermarkets are worse.

I strongly recommend packing them with the proper grease before pressing them in as well.

The AWIC problem... can I assume that down "further than normal" means there's some sort of relief built into the system, should the water expand too much... and you're losing an amount more than you'd expect to lose in such a situation?

Dumb question, do you have any condensation in your exhaust, either steam coming out or dripping out?

Another dumb question about the alternator... does it record the same low voltage when your revs are up? Due to the higher output, does it need a higher idle to sustain 14.4 volts?

Did you ever put a new starter in?

[Legacy777]

The process should be nothing new to you Josh, since you swapped hubs in your AWD swap.

The fronts aren't exactly a picnic, but the rears are a huge pain in the testes, with the parking brake and all.

Past that (i.e. actually pressing the bearings out and in the hub), I have no experience. I've always had someone else do them.

I strongly recommend OEM bearings though, not because I think they're a quality product, but because I think the aftermarkets are worse.

I strongly recommend packing them with the proper grease before pressing them in as well.

Yeah I'd use OEM bearings & pack them with proper grease. I'm not sure which one I'm hearing, or if it's even a bearing. I may try putting the car on jack stands and seeing if I can hear the noise.

The AWIC problem... can I assume that down "further than normal" means there's some sort of relief built into the system, should the water expand too much... and you're losing an amount more than you'd expect to lose in such a situation?

The level always goes down, and I keep adding water....if I wait longer, like I did this past time, I had to add a bit more water. I added the expansion tank because I thought I was building up pressure and it was spitting out....But the expansion tank is empty. Bottom line is I'm losing water somewhere.

Dumb question, do you have any condensation in your exhaust, either steam coming out or dripping out?

No not really. I'll get a little on initial startup, but nothing abnormal.

Another dumb question about the alternator... does it record the same low voltage when your revs are up? Due to the higher output, does it need a higher idle to sustain 14.4 volts?

Yes, it records the same lower voltage even when revving the engine. That's the main reason I put the smaller pulley on the alternator, to overdrive it and minimize that issue.

Did you ever put a new starter in?

Nope, but based upon the fact that whenever I have the problem, I can disconnect the black connector going to the ignition, reconnect it, and it starts up fine I doubt it's my starter. I may just remove my "harness" with the starter interlock relay and put it back the way it was when it was AT. That'd tell me for sure whether it's my harness and/or starter interlock relay.

[evolutionmovement]

Starter problem sounds like a dead spot. Have you tried whacking it with a hammer? Usually a good whack or two will solve the problem if that's what it is.

Could the AWIC be losing water in the turbo?

Temp gauge could be air in the system, just not enough to fully isolate the sensor.

And to all you wheel bearing people - 260k+ and never changed out! I'm sure they're crap now after sitting two years, though.

[smh0101]

Starter problem sounds like a dead spot. Have you tried whacking it with a hammer? Usually a good whack or two will solve the problem if that's what it is.

+1

The solenoid may be going out... My old car had this problem... More than once...

[BSOD2600]

Starter problem sounds like a dead spot. Have you tried whacking it with a hammer? Usually a good whack or two will solve the problem if that's what it is.

+1

The solenoid may be going out... My old car had this problem... More than once...

I've been through 2 reman starters and my starting issues remains. New battery and alternator too. Voltage is always ~14v while driving. I'm really thinking my issue is the ignition switch, since often when mine doesn't turn over, I'll move the key around (between on and start) and it'll eventually fire up. Use to get out, whack the starter a few times and then it would ALWAYS fire right up...

[555BCTurbo]

Ok....the next issue. My AWIC doesn't seem to be holding water. I'll top it off, and it always seems to go down. I hadn't checked it in a while, and it was down further then normal. However I don't really see a leak anywhere. I have my supsicions that the core has a crack in it, and the motor is injesting the water. I bought a radiator pressure tester and UV dye to try and figure out where the leak is. If I have to pull the core out....again, I'm not looking forward to that either....that will suck superly.

I have an identical problem with my AWIC...

It doesn't seem to have any leaks around the core or anything...so I too am dumbfounded...

It has done it since I bought the car

[smh0101]

So... sorry to hijack...

But do you only put water in those?

I mean, like, before a run at PIR could you fill it with salt water and ice to make it hella cold? Or would/could that damage it?

[555BCTurbo]

So... sorry to hijack...

But do you only put water in those?

I mean, like, before a run at PIR could you fill it with salt water and ice to make it hella cold? Or would/could that damage it?

I wouldn't do salt water...unless you like corrosion...

Ice is fine though...


As soon as I find a place that sells it, I am going to fill mine with methanol.

[smh0101]

So... sorry to hijack...

But do you only put water in those?

I mean, like, before a run at PIR could you fill it with salt water and ice to make it hella cold? Or would/could that damage it?

I wouldn't do salt water...unless you like corrosion...

Ice is fine though...


As soon as I find a place that sells it, I am going to fill mine with methanol.

Methanol sounds nifty... Ooohh... What about small chunks of dry ice... But I suppose that could pressurize too much...

I wasnt sure if the salt would corrode the inside... Thats why I asked... As I was thinking back to a Science lab where I froze lots of stuff in salt water... Burrr

[douglas vincent]

Josh is such a whiner......

[Brat4by4]

I seem to have several issues going on, and the most recent one has the potential to be quite serious.

Issue #1 - One sensor or random air pocket..

Issue #2 - Random old AWIC that traveled halfway across the world leaks a little water.

Issue #3 - Starting issue with lots of aftermarket stuff installed.

Issue #4 - Aftermarket alternator acting up.

Issue #5 - Possible wheel bearing going on olllld car.

So that's my rant for now....

So that's 2 very reasonable old car problems and issues with 3 aftermarket add-ons. I think you'll be ok, dude. Your quest for perfection out of an older car that barely resembles how it came off the manufacturer line intrigues me.

[Legacy777]

Well I've got an update.

I drove the car home on thursday and it magically seemed to be working fine with the coolant temps. The select monitor appeared to be reading the correct temps and the fans would kick on. So I don't know....maybe it was an air pocket, but I just don't see why the dash gauge would read correctly, and the ECU sensor would read incorrectly.

Regarding the starting issue. It's not the starter. Solenoid contacts are new. I replaced them when I did my AWD & 5spd conversion. I'm 99% sure it's my wiring or starter interlock relay. I just haven't had a chance to check.

Nick, I've got a pressure tester and some UV dye coming. If I find anything out.....I'll let ya know.

[ericem]

I want to rant.

I need 3 CV's, 1 tranny,rear diff(mine leaks hardcore), new gaskets REALLY bad leaking(when i brought my car to subaru they said they haven't seen a car so bad lmao,they said they couldn't verify what was leaking, since there was grease all over the car from the CV's, atf fluid from alot of items, collant all over, and oil's, its my shake and bake I guess you can say??) , new rack and pinion,struts, springs, top hats, 2 wheel bearings probably 3 hubs as well actually,mounts all around the world, windshield, and paint with some rust to fix around the windshield. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Then the car BETTER be pretty well brand new. Then from there I get new wheels. Then a few years from now when I get bored. EJ22T...

So in order to do that 07 impreza here I come

[Aerotech]

I want to second the start switch suggestion, these can cause some funky problems when they go bad. I'm not sure, is it a separate part from the ignition lock??

[555BCTurbo]

Nick, I've got a pressure tester and some UV dye coming. If I find anything out.....I'll let ya know.

Fantastic!


Fank you!

[Legacy777]

I want to second the start switch suggestion, these can cause some funky problems when they go bad. I'm not sure, is it a separate part from the ignition lock??

It's all part of the ignition switch.

[Legacy777]

Update on the cooling system issues, and possibly the AWIC

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=34939

[BXSS]

I had a starter click issue on the SS.

The ground coming off the starter was not connected.
I bolted the ground down & it stopped clicking...

Maybe you have a bad ground??

[Legacy777]

Everything was fine when I tested it. I'm focusing on the starter interlock relay. Pretty sure that's my culprit.

[klaxed]

I can say that replacing wheel bearings can be a bitch. My brother had one replaced on his 93 SS. It was one of the rears and overall the car had like 180k in mileage. Here's the kicker, the wheel bearing was seized to the hub. My brother had brought the car to someone we know who works on cars, and he had to take the entire hub (w/ the wheel bearing) off and bring it into his work and soaked it in a vat of penetrating oil (after trying numerous other methods to get the wheel bearing off). So if you have a bearing that you think is making some noise, check it or maybe just replace it as if you go to long it might do what it did to my brother.

[93forestpearl]

Last summer my main fuse box crapped out somehow, out of nowhere. All of a sudden, no switched power. The thing is, it still read 12v, until I put a load on it. Needless to say I had to wire around it temporarily I find a decent used replacement.