Subaru newbie just bought an '85 DL, what do I need to watch for?

[MarcKyle64]

Just wondering about tips on tune ups or maintenance recommendations, and forwarning about repetitive repair problems or odd service requirements like adjusting intake and exhaust valves or short serpentine/timing belt replacement intervals. It's an '85 2wd DL wagon with a/c and a 5 speed with 106,000 miles on it.

 

[Bobby The D]

Just wondering about tips on tune ups or maintenance recommendations, and

forwarning about repetitive repair problems or odd service requirements like adjusting intake and exhaust valves or short serpentine/timing belt replacement intervals. It's an '85 2wd DL wagon with a/c and a 5 speed with 106,000 miles on it.

You must live in the south. In snow country it would have rusted out about 15 yr. ago.

Dunno if they still do it, but on those old Suburus the emergency brake went to the FRONT wheels. No idea why unless it was just to be odd. Discovered this the hard way trying to do a brake job on the one my wife had at the time (well, hers was a sedan, not the wagon but same year/model).

One Suburu was enough for us, thank you. It was not an especially good car.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

You may enjoy the 'old generation' forum at www.usmb.net .

LOTS of helpful guys with old soobs still running - several over 300k miles now.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[JW]

Just wondering about tips on tune ups or maintenance recommendations, and forwarning about repetitive repair problems or odd service requirements like adjusting intake and exhaust valves or short serpentine/timing belt replacement intervals. It's an '85 2wd DL wagon with a/c and a 5 speed with 106,000 miles on it.

WOW!! Where did you find one with no miles on like that? My 85 Subaru XT GL-10 Turbo has 398,563 miles on it and all that has been done is the timing belt replacements, tires, oil changes and spark plugs every couple years or so. It is also a 5 speed but it is 4WD. Easiest auto to maintain I have ever had! Well, other than my 80 Subaru hatchback.

 

[S]

Hi Marc, All!

Just wondering about tips on tune ups or maintenance recommendations, and forwarning about repetitive repair problems or odd service requirements like adjusting intake and exhaust valves or short serpentine/timing belt replacement intervals. It's an '85 2wd DL wagon with a/c and a 5 speed with 106,000 miles on it.

Things to watch:

CV axle boots. Catch 'em early, or plan on replacing the axle. Coolant hoses. The hoses to the heater core are notorious for failure. Clutch cable. Tends to fail at pedal end, and feels like a bad pressure-plate. Exhaust issues, particularly where "Y" pipe bolts to heads. Chronic oil leaks, particularly at the oil pump. Not an issue 'til they get _real_ bad. Rust along the bottom and in the wheel wells. Generally only a cosmetic issue. Heater fan. Often the "ballast" resistors fail, and are a bit of a challenge to replace. Fuel pump control box. Hidden behind the kick panel on the drivers side. Check _before_ popping for a new pump.

Great little cars, and with only 106K, yours is barely broken-in.
Enjoy.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[MarcKyle64]

CV axle boots.

CV boots I know about, my 83 GL went thru those a lot. Is the engine an interference or a free engine as far as pistons and valves? Or...do I need to expect bent valves if my timing belt breaks?