legacycentral bbs

I decided to take a look at a '93 Legacy L sedan, EJ22, NA, 5MT w/135k miles that was for sale, with the thought of starting my own Subie Stable (like many of you!).

Looking under the hood, and checking all fluid levels, I pulled the transmission dipstick - but it showed NO level of oil!?

Shifting seemed to be OK, without any real effort - some grind/vibration in 1st through 4th was felt through the shifter - but 5th was OK.

Thinking back now, the car was parked on an upward slope - does that make a difference? The owner said it was last checked by the shop @ 90k miles.

Overall, the car was in pretty good shape. IF I decide to look at it again, what would indicate serious wear problems in the transmission? How much does a 5MT rebuild costs if I'd have problems down the road?

Thanks!
Mike

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'90 Legacy LS Wagon - EJ22, NA, 4EAT w/194k+ miles

need to check ALL fluids on level surface- this applies to every car ever built no matter the manufacturer

Unless things are really bad there isn't going to be anything noticeably different with the fluid on the dipstick. The only wy to see if there is a problem (where fluid is concerened) is to drain the fluid and watch what comes out. If chunks and shavings come out your probably at a no-turning-back point. I would just ride it out until it fried.

Rebuild really depends on the shop. My friend had his manual for his grandam rebuilt for $700-$800. But that was also because the guy normally stocked the parts to do it (I guess they go out a lot). Since its a L you can more than likely find a good used one in a Junkyard or even buy another L with a banged up body. If I had to guess I would say you can probably find a used 5-sp in a Junkyard for $200-$400. As far as finding a banged up car. I just bought another L for a parts car for $400. Body is beat but engine and tranny are perfect.

Thanks for the comments.

One mistake I made - without thinking, of course - was to check the oil level on an incline. The oil had probably all run to the rear part of the transmission, at the end opposite of the dipstick.

The car seemed to shift OK, though I could feel a lot of vibration in the stick from 1st through 4th gears - everything smoothed out in 5th.

The owner didn't seem to be the kind to abuse the car - just slightly ignorant on some mechanical aspects.

I decided to buy the car at a relatively good price, and will pick it up this weekend. First thing I'll do is check the transmission oil level!

Mike

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'90 Legacy LS Wagon, EJ22, NA, FWD, 4EAT, 194K+ miles
'93 Legacy L Sedan (soon), EJ22, NA, FWD, 5MT, 135K+ miles

HobbyWrench wrote:Thanks for the comments.

One mistake I made - without thinking, of course - was to check the oil level on an incline. The oil had probably all run to the rear part of the transmission, at the end opposite of the dipstick.

The car seemed to shift OK, though I could feel a lot of vibration in the stick from 1st through 4th gears - everything smoothed out in 5th.

The owner didn't seem to be the kind to abuse the car - just slightly ignorant on some mechanical aspects.

I decided to buy the car at a relatively good price, and will pick it up this weekend. First thing I'll do is check the transmission oil level!

Mike

________________
'90 Legacy LS Wagon, EJ22, NA, FWD, 4EAT, 194K+ miles
'93 Legacy L Sedan (soon), EJ22, NA, FWD, 5MT, 135K+ miles

it's very easy to look ignorant instead of like someone who would abuse what they're trying to sell.

the reason why you would have lost vibration in 5th is because 5th is outside of the main gearbox.

I've actually noticed a slight vibration in my winter beater after it sits for a while not being driven (A month or so). After its driven a while it seems to go away...or else I get used to it.

See what she does. If your not planning on going on a 500 mile trip I would just drive it until it pulls the gears out of the box. I personally I wouldn't try rebuilding a tranny until there was a drivablility problem, at least on my daily driver..

realfinn wrote:I've actually noticed a slight vibration in my winter beater after it sits for a while not being driven (A month or so). After its driven a while it seems to go away...or else I get used to it.

That's actually probably due to the tires.

I mispoke a bit. Not driven = not driven on the road.

Not running on the road for a month wouldn't change anything about the tires. The car is moved every 3-4 days...just not driven at high speeds on the road.

realfinn wrote:I mispoke a bit. Not driven = not driven on the road.

Not running on the road for a month wouldn't change anything about the tires. The car is moved every 3-4 days...just not driven at high speeds on the road.

ehhh.....how far is it driven in those 3-4 days intervals?

Its ran around the yard. Besides there is no vibration anywhere else in the car. Just through the stick. Nothing through the steering wheel or seats....at least nothing the butt-o-meter can pick up.