Any Subaru Fans? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JEBalles · #31 06-09-2012, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

I remember some story about those being added for the U.S. market so the thing could be imported as a car rather than a truck. Or the other way around. Or something. I forget.

So it could imported as a car, that's what I read.

disley · #32 06-10-2012, 04:03 AM

My friend had an 86 Brat, she sold it this year, it was still running great.
It spent most of it's time in 2WD, the 4WD high and low ratio worked fine, but was only used in wet weather.

retmil46 · #33 06-10-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEBalles

EPA says 21 city, 26 highway. haven't been able to measure it myself yet-I'm getting the car this week. I bet I could squeeze over thirty on the highway based on how I drive and how the EPA estimates are usually pretty low.

Thanks for letting me know about the ethanol and vacuum issues, I'll definitely check that out. Not exactly sure how to check for ethanol degradation :/ what does it break down?

Ethanol will degrade certain types of rubber and plastics - such as fuel and emissions rubber hoses, o-rings, seals, especially fuel injector seals and plastic injector bodies, and fuel pump internals.

It's also corrosive of certain metals, such as fuel lines and gas tanks in older vehicles. And it's affinity for absorbing water can lead to accumulated water and rust inside older metal gas tanks and fuel lines.

And the problem is, with the federal tax credit per gallon of ethanol blended in, many distributers have been heavy-handed in the amount of ethanol they put in their deliveries - oft times well above the mandated 10%, some stations finding as much as 40% blended into their deliveries - and nary a word of warning to their customers.

On my 87 carb-equipped version, it had an electric fuel pump up underneath the rear bumper, along with the fuel filter, both easily accessible.

My 87 also still had the old-style vacuum advance distributor, so all you needed to set the timing was an old-fashioned timing light and a screwdriver. If yours is still the same way, it may turn out to be a blessing - my 87 supposedly was only to use premium gas per the owners manual - but a little tweaking on the timing and it would run perfectly on regular 87 octane. And that same trick could also work for recovering some lost fuel economy due to ethanol-blended gas.

A fellow CRD owner in Charlotte, who also owns a 2002 V6 gasser Jeep Liberty, had to replace all his fuel hoses a couple years ago - he started getting CEL's for the evaporative emissions controls on the gas tank - turns out the ethanol blended gas had made all his fuel hoses hard and brittle as a brick bat, and they had started cracking open.

I've talked to other people in the area, with pre-2007 vehicles, that had the misfortune of buying gas at one of the stations that was unknowingly selling gas blended quite a bit higher than the 10% level, that had to have their entire fuel system rebuilt - gas tank, fuel lines, injectors, fuel pump, the works - because the ethanol had completely trashed it.

On my mother's 2002 Montero Sport and '92 Mustang 5.0, both showed major improvements in fuel economy and engine operation after switching to ethanol-free gas. On the Montero Sport - not noted for it's fuel economy to begin with - she went from having to fill up once every week to once every two weeks. The Mustang would always miss and lope at idle, despite my best efforts at tuning it - now runs as smooth and quiet as a baby's behind.

There's a website, Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada , that you can check to see if there's any stations selling ethanol-free gas in your area.

JEBalles · #34 06-10-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Ethanol will degrade certain types of rubber and plastics - such as fuel and emissions rubber hoses, o-rings, seals, especially fuel injector seals and plastic injector bodies, and fuel pump internals.

It's also corrosive of certain metals, such as fuel lines and gas tanks in older vehicles. And it's affinity for absorbing water can lead to accumulated water and rust inside older metal gas tanks and fuel lines.

And the problem is, with the federal tax credit per gallon of ethanol blended in, many distributers have been heavy-handed in the amount of ethanol they put in their deliveries - oft times well above the mandated 10%, some stations finding as much as 40% blended into their deliveries - and nary a word of warning to their customers.

On my 87 carb-equipped version, it had an electric fuel pump up underneath the rear bumper, along with the fuel filter, both easily accessible.

My 87 also still had the old-style vacuum advance distributor, so all you needed to set the timing was an old-fashioned timing light and a screwdriver. If yours is still the same way, it may turn out to be a blessing - my 87 supposedly was only to use premium gas per the owners manual - but a little tweaking on the timing and it would run perfectly on regular 87 octane. And that same trick could also work for recovering some lost fuel economy due to ethanol-blended gas.

A fellow CRD owner in Charlotte, who also owns a 2002 V6 gasser Jeep Liberty, had to replace all his fuel hoses a couple years ago - he started getting CEL's for the evaporative emissions controls on the gas tank - turns out the ethanol blended gas had made all his fuel hoses hard and brittle as a brick bat, and they had started cracking open.

I've talked to other people in the area, with pre-2007 vehicles, that had the misfortune of buying gas at one of the stations that was unknowingly selling gas blended quite a bit higher than the 10% level, that had to have their entire fuel system rebuilt - gas tank, fuel lines, injectors, fuel pump, the works - because the ethanol had completely trashed it.

On my mother's 2002 Montero Sport and '92 Mustang 5.0, both showed major improvements in fuel economy and engine operation after switching to ethanol-free gas. On the Montero Sport - not noted for it's fuel economy to begin with - she went from having to fill up once every week to once every two weeks. The Mustang would always miss and lope at idle, despite my best efforts at tuning it - now runs as smooth and quiet as a baby's behind.

There's a website, Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada , that you can check to see if there's any stations selling ethanol-free gas in your area.

Ugh, I'm missing diesel already :/ If my fuel injection system gets trashed by ethanol, is there any benefit to fitting it with a weber or something instead?

tbomachines · #35 06-10-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEBalles

Ugh, I'm missing diesel already :/ If my fuel injection system gets trashed by ethanol, is there any benefit to fitting it with a weber or something instead?

Well if it gives you any solace, iirc Subaru made the last carbeurated car on sale in the u.s. with the justy

raymr · #36 06-12-2012, 03:54 PM

Just bought a 2012 Forester. It's one of a very few AWD vehicles you can get with a manual transmission. Throw in the giant sunroof and you have a fun sensible car. Drawbacks? The AM/FM sound quality sucks!

tonkovich · #37 06-12-2012, 07:55 PM

well, i always liked the rare, strange and really fun to drive SVX. went on a 1000 mile road trip in one, owned by a friend.

not a "practical" vehicle, like the wagons, but a fine "poor man's" sportscar.

MBeige · #38 06-13-2012, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Just bought a 2012 Forester. It's one of a very few AWD vehicles you can get with a manual transmission. Throw in the giant sunroof and you have a fun sensible car. Drawbacks? The AM/FM sound quality sucks!

I noticed that too with the AM/FM. I guess the HD radio tunes out the bass (assuming yours has one). I too found that weird.

Plug in your iPod or iPhone and turn up the bass, and you'll forget about AM/FM.

Ours is a 4-speed AT w/ a sunroof. It is a fun sensible car indeed.

derburger · #39 06-13-2012, 11:46 PM

I have an XT Turbo, which was Subaru's attempt at making a spaceship using 4wd wagon parts. It's just a fun deathtrap with a Poorsche engine note and incredibly dated (OR TIMELESS?) styling.

sfloriII · #40 06-14-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEBalles

So it could imported as a car, that's what I read.

That's right. The US truck market was being hit hard by imports so the government placed high taxes (tariffs?) on imports. Subaru responded by sticking these "seats" in the bed of their truck to avoid this tax.

Jim B. · #41 06-17-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honus

I loved our slightly-modified 1997 Impreza. Really interesting, well-designed cars. I have yet to meet a dissatisfied Subaru owner.

JEBalles · #42 06-18-2012, 07:20 AM

Well, drove it home yesterday. Over 180 miles on the highway, I averaged 34 mpg with the A/C on for about half the time and driving conservatively. Not too shabby if that's accurate. Runs alright right now, feels like it misses some when it's cold and there's a funky idle sound that may or may not be normal.

Mr.Kenny · #43 06-18-2012, 12:17 PM

My Brother had 2 of these 1969 wagons. No radiator fan...the engine air intake was pulled through the radiator to cool the engine.
Indestructible, goofy, ingenious and 40mpg. These 2 cars were still beaters in the 1990's and i wouldn't be surprised if they are still running around Ventura today. Valve float or tiny carburetor wouldn't let these motors over rev.
My son is abusing a 92 legacy today; the 5 quart oil sump helps.

The Swede · #44 06-23-2012, 07:09 PM

We just bought a new Outback 3.6. Silver/grey. Nice little wagon.

We test drove the BMW X3 (6 cylinder turbo), but it wasn't worth the additional 15 grand.

MBeige · #45 07-02-2012, 01:27 AM

I took some photos from inside the Forester and only got the chance to upload the images. The visibility towards the rear is pretty good. Much better than other SUVs we looked at.