legacycentral bbs

Hi, I'm new to the board, this is my first post. I currently own a 2002 2.5RS but I'm looking for a project car and came across a 122k mile 5MT '91 Legacy Sport Sedan for a low price.

I went to look at it, body's good, couple dents and one rust spot, interior is mint. Engine pulls hard. Couple drivetrain issues..

1.) When idling in neutral, a whirring-type noise comes from the engine bay. Goes away when clutch pedal is pressed. Throw-out bearing?

2.) While moving, the transmission whines while in gear. Shifts fine, no grinding, but whines.

3.) When starting from a stop on an incline, goes into gear, I come off the clutch and add gas, transmission/driveline clunks, then goes. Same thing for high RPM shifting. Really worn out bushings on the rear diff?

4.) After hard test-drive, plume of smoke rises from driver's side front, near the corner of the engine block there. Comes from beneath the engine, probably smoke from oil on the exhaust maniford (it was blue), but not sure what could be leaking down there.

The timing belt hasn't been changed for the 2nd time yet, and these problems exist. I offered him 800 less than his asking price, he has another offer for 300 less but the guy hasn't looked at the car yet.

Any advice? Thanks for help

2.) When it whines... is the radio on? (mine will also whine when the HVAC fan is on.... ) Could be RFI, just a stab in the dark on that one.

3.) This is mainly the tranny mount. It is like a sponge. Replace it with an STi unit and this will mostly be eliminated. Rear diff bushings can also be upgraded, but tranny mount will eliminate this except for the hardest shifts you can muster.

4.) Valve cover gaskets are leaking on to the exhaust pipes. Common problem. Not extremely hard to fix.

Thanks Brat.

What do you mean RFI?

The radio isn't on, not sure if the HVAC was on, but you really have a tranny whine when its on? Its quite loud and doesn't sound good, doesn't sound like alternator whine or anything.

Thank you for the help. Positive its the valve cover gaskets?

Ok, I had a big responce all made up for this last night and right as I went to submit the post the site crashed. I'll try and replecate it as best I can.

DeusExMachina wrote:
1.) When idling in neutral, a whirring-type noise comes from the engine bay. Goes away when clutch pedal is pressed. Throw-out bearing?

Is the noise very quiet? If it is then I've been in multiple Legacy's that did this, including my own. I at first suspected the bearing myself but since I've riden in at least 4 different BC/BF's that did this I'm starting to think it's normal. Considering that you're having problems while in gear too makes me wonder though. You may very well have a problem. If it's a pretty loud grinding in nuetral then it may also point to a bigger problem.

4.) After hard test-drive, plume of smoke rises from driver's side front, near the corner of the engine block there. Comes from beneath the engine, probably smoke from oil on the exhaust maniford (it was blue), but not sure what could be leaking down there.

It's oil dripping onto the up-pipe. There are 3 main causes for this.

1st- The passengerside valve cover gasket is leaking oil onto the up-pipe. This is the most common cause for oil dripping on the up-pipe. I had this problem too and this was the cause.

2nd- the rear cam seal (o-ring) on the passengerside is leaking oil onto the up-pipe. This is a bitch to replace but at least the o-ring is very cheap, about $2.89 USD at your local Scooby dealer.

3rd- the turbos oil supply return line that comes in the back of the passengerside head is leaking onto the up-pipe.

I hope this information is usefull.

Its not a grinding, its just like a "whirr whirr whirr". My friend's RS makes a whining noise, kind of like a belt, that goes away when he presses the clutch. Its quite a different noise than a whine.

I'm hoping its the valve cover gasket. Do they have a maintenance interval that they need to be replaced, or just replace as it goes? It may be overdue for that maintanence if its on an interval.

By the way, what weight oil do you guys put in your engines?

Radio Frequency Interference?

1) yes that would be the throw out bearing, many new subarus have the same issue (wrx/rs/legacy), usually when an aftermarket clutch with a stronger pressure plate is used

Yeah, i do believe that's what RFI stands for (Vikash?). I think i get alternator whine with the HVAC on and RFI through the speakers with the radio on. If you definitely know for sure the sound is coming from the tranny then RFI is not the culprit.

You get new throw-out bearings with a new clutch... most anyways IIRC. I have a heavy duty pressure plate and the noise in neutral with clutch pedal out is definitely there... and wasn't there before.

The valve cover gaskets are fighting gravity 24/7 and also have to deal with oil pressure. They will eventually fail.

I'm betting the valve cover gaskets were never replaced, so I'm pretty sure thats the problem. The guy wants $2000US for the car, I offered him $1500. He'll probably counter offer, what do you guys think for the car? Here are some pics btw:

http://www.teamentropy.com/legacy.html

Post your oppinions.

My idle whine (a pulsing whine) was traced to a bad water pump.

Might want to check that out....

That is a steal and a half. I'd give him the money right away before someone on the board gets it . He obviously doesn't know what he has or doesn't care. Those bumps and bruises on the car don't make it any slower

why does that rust patch look familiar...

I think that might actually be someone's from here. ah well you should buy it, that stuff is easily replaceable.

BAC5.2 wrote:My idle whine (a pulsing whine) was traced to a bad water pump.

Might want to check that out....

i agree...with 150k it's probably shot. start adding up all the work that needs done. If the water pump needs replaced, have the oil pump resealed, and the timing belt replaced at the same time.

Leaking gaskets at that mileage is common...have a shop determine how bad the leakage is.

It looks like its had a rough life, but they're tough cars. Again I'd have a shop look at it before buying, but that's just me.

Looks like a good deal. All the bruised parts are easily replacable. And theres no visible damage to the rear quarters. Thats most important since they can't be (easily) replaced. The car looks pretty clean rust wise. I'd go for it.

Mark,

Yeah, I'll see what he says but I'll probably buy it. I'll bring it to a shop and have them check it out.

I don't think its the water pump as its clearly clutch related. One thing I forgot to do though, was to idle it and inspect the engine bay. Oh well.

He'll be back in a couple days, I'll talk to him more about it. I want it pretty badly.

Thanks guys for all your help, don't bother asking me for his number or email, its mine! mine!!

All the stuff mentioned; water pump, timing belt, valve cover gaskets, etc. should be done when buying a new car anyway unless you have recent receipts. All easy jobs to do yourself, anyway. Does sound like a throw out bearing noise, so I'd budget for a new clutch (might as well while you're there). Having it checked is never a bad idea.

Steve

If the tranny fails, I'll replace the bearing and vice versa.

Anything else I should replace when I buy it? Besides engine oil, tranny oil, etc.

Anyone know where I can get the service manuals? Thats the first thing I'm buying as soon as I get the car.

I got the FSMs from ebay, but I think subaruparts.com has them. Haynes manuals should be at any auto parts place.

Steve

i always getted haynes manuals off of e-bay, too. usually around $5 shipped. they are something ridiculously more at the stores.

I believe I paid 8 bucks for mine from the store :\

I think they're around $14.99 usually. The Haynes that is.

I paid $2 for my Legacy Haynes manual at a Trak Auto (anyone remember them?) store closing.

It's been helpful for some stuff, but absolutely worthless for other things.

He countered today with an offer of $1700 to my $1500. Think I should go for it?

After taking it to a mechanic first, of course.

yes, btw were you playing guildwars on monday night/tuesday morning?

Uhh, yeah I think so. Maybe Monday evening. My name is popular, and for Guild Wars I'm Thorak Runeking.


Also, the clunking has me thinking. Hopefully its tranny mount or rear diff bushings, but could something be wrong with the rear LSD? Is there any test I can do to tell?