Couple of Subaru Loyale Questions

[ryan]

Hi,

I have a 1992 Subaru Loyale 4x4 wagon, about 259000 kms. (first clutch, I
believe)

1st Problem: when slowing up to a stop light, with the clutch pedal down,
the car seems to jerk along until the brake finally stops it.
At first I thought it was a "dragging clutch". I've tried shortenning the
cable the get the pressure plate to pull further away, but
from the flywheel, but this has no effect. The engine leaks a bit of oil,
so I thought that maybe some dirt/oil got on to the pressure
plate and is causing it to drag. Fixing this would probably require taking
it to a mechanic, so I might as well get a new clutch
well I'm at it. But this will be $1000Cdn (according to the mechanic -
they'll fix the seals while they're at it)

But, could this be something else? Could the "hill holder" be reacting in
some wierd way? Maybe I'm just really bad at adjusting
my clutch? (i've followed my manual, but ... who knows?)


2nd Problem: I get an intermittant "check engine" light. I've checked the
code, and its for the EGR Solenoid. (34)
I took the solenoid switch out, and tested it by hooking it up to the
battery. It seems to work fine, opening and closing
with applied current. Then I bought a multimeter and tested the resistance.
I forget what it was, but it was very close to
what it was supposed to be. It must be a vacuum leak, or the EGR Valve
itself. Apparently you can
clean these, so I tried to take it off, but the bolts are really rusted in.
I'm not sure I should go to the trouble of buying
a bolt remover to get this off. I've tried to clean it with WD40 without
taking it out, but this didn't do anything. Any suggestions
on cleaning it?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

 

[Rick Courtright]

the car seems to jerk along until the brake finally stops it.
At first I thought it was a "dragging clutch". I've tried shortenning

Hi,

At that kind of mileage, it's likely you really will need to get in
there and replace the clutch, but before you do, try replacing the
cable. I've seen people report similar symptoms with a cable that was
getting ready to give up (separates from the end after strands fray and
break--pedal "feels" right, but the mechanism's not being fully
released.)

code, and its for the EGR Solenoid. (34)
I took the solenoid switch out, and tested it by hooking it up to the ....
taking it out, but this didn't do anything. Any suggestions
on cleaning it?

That's a troublesome code! It can be simply the EGR solenoid valve's
giving up, or the entire EGR system's getting clogged. You need to get
some penetrating oil and see if you can loosen the rusted bolts, then
remove the EGR valve, and clean not only the valve, but the passages
into the head (stiff wire is suggested.) They get clogged with carbon
and cause pinging and there are reports of broken rings. My Loyale gave
up the ghost last year, and has been sitting in the garage awaiting a
decision on whether to fix it or not. No. 3 cylinder has ZERO psi
compression, though I haven't opened it up to find the cause, and I
suspect the flashing EGR light (with the same code) for several months
before its demise might be related. My symptoms mirrored those reported
with clogged EGR passage/broken ring engines.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[Sheldon]

Hi,

I have a 1992 Subaru Loyale 4x4 wagon, about 259000 kms. (first clutch, I
believe)

1st Problem: when slowing up to a stop light, with the clutch pedal down,
the car seems to jerk along until the brake finally stops it.
At first I thought it was a "dragging clutch". I've tried shortenning the
cable the get the pressure plate to pull further away, but
from the flywheel, but this has no effect.

If the car seems to pulsate as you brake it might be a warped rotor, or some
other rotor problem, and not the clutch. If you can push the clutch in when
stopped, and the car doesn't move when you rev the engine, I doubt the
clutch is dragging. A dragging clutch would also make shifting difficult.
You still may need a new clutch and/or cable, but the symptoms for that
would be a very stiff clutch, and the clutch slipping when you gas it in a
higher gear. I just sold my Loyale with 175k on it. It was getting close
to a new clutch (stiff) but otherwise it ran great. Mine was burning some
oil through the valve guides, but the leaks were minimal.

 

[ryan]

Thanks for the info Sheldon and Rick.

just my luck, I've got a new problem. Now there's a really
bad noise coming from the right side of the engine during
acceleration. I haven't had much time to investigate, but
I did pull the spark plug at the back right and it seemed ok.
Some carbon, but no oil or anything like that. I'm really
not sure. Even if the cylinder isn't wreaked, the EGR system
could be completely clogged. I think I'll probably break
down and take it in, unless I can find time to look at it.

thanks for all your help,

Ryan

 

[Sheldon]

Thanks for the info Sheldon and Rick.

just my luck, I've got a new problem. Now there's a really
bad noise coming from the right side of the engine during
acceleration. I haven't had much time to investigate, but
I did pull the spark plug at the back right and it seemed ok.
Some carbon, but no oil or anything like that. I'm really
not sure. Even if the cylinder isn't wreaked, the EGR system
could be completely clogged. I think I'll probably break
down and take it in, unless I can find time to look at it.

thanks for all your help,

If this is an "extra" car pick up a mechanic's stethascope. They can really
help you nail down where a noise is actually coming from. My old Loyale
knocked going up steep hills on regular gas, and the exhaust had a shield
running the full length that would rattle now and then. Really sounded bad
but was no big deal.

 

[ryan]

Sheldon,

Funny you should mention the exhaust. I finally had
a chance to look at it and that's exactly where it's coming
from. Whew!! I was a pretty worried for a while there.

thanks again for all your help,

ryan

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Funny you should mention the exhaust. I finally had
a chance to look at it and that's exactly where it's coming
from. Whew!! I was a pretty worried for a while there.

And now, if you REALLY want some serious noises, drive down enough
gravel roads to get a coupla small stones tossed up where they can
rattle on the heat shields! Talk about worried...

Rick