RobT Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 As posted in News 24 at the weekend, I collected the ex-Heidel Kakao/skattrd Impreza on Saturday. I can see this becoming a long termer as it's in my preferred flavour (automatic), has comfortable seats, and does hooning very well but also cruises nicely on the motorway. 70 is around 2500rpm so it's almost as relaxed as the dear old Cav. However, whereas the Cavalier does 40-42mpg on a run, which is pretty remarkable really seeing as it's got 140k on the clock and is a bit knackered, I struggled to get above 30 in this on the 170 miles trip home. Never mind, I'll just pucker up and live with it. First hurdle to overcome is the MoT which expires on the 27th February, so I did some checks today. NS CV gaitor is split, and the back box has seen better days... I spent ages pouring over eBay listings to make sure I got the correct one, as not all of them were showing the kink in the pipe the current one has. £42 for a cheapo part that will no doubt be a sod to fit anyway! Will have a go at that myself if I can get it on the ramps. But apart from those two issues I can't see anything else. Sills appear solid, as does most of the underside. Just the usual surface corrosion on suspension parts and a few areas at the rear end, but nothing too serious. Interior cleaned up well. Pillarless loveliness Sports mode is called POWER in Subaru world. Handy GB sticker as I plan to take it to Geneva in April to visit Mrs T's family, all being well. 2.0 boxer engine in all its glory. The most sensibly placed alternator of evar. So there we go, updates as and when. Brodders, Broadsword, inconsistant and 35 others 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Oh, F. I didn't realise how much one of these suited me. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skattrd Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Oooops, sorry Rob, I didnlt realise the back-box was that bad, it didn't sound overly loud, so I assumed it was a minor blow. I only put a couple of tanks worth of fuel in it, but honing down country lanes gave around 30mpg as well. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_Rocket Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Looks lovely Rob! These non-WRX/STi/massive exhaust/vape smoke ones look so sincere compared to the hot variants. They have a real air of 'old money' too! RobT and Alanism 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Looks a canny buy that, Rob! RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 This is a fine old beatie. Well bought Rob. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey spud Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 This is my old 'reddish blue' turbo back in 2007 doing a bit of grafting.These Subaru wagons must be one of the best looking Japanese shaped things of ever and if it's solid I would agree totally with your long term keeper idea.If this had been a manual i would have bought her when it was first advertised (great running gear doner for my MV pick up).The frameless doors are great as is the flat four burble.Not so good was the low 20's mpg and my one was a sod to keep demisted in wet weather. Rusty_Rocket, GrumpiusMaximus, alcyonecorporation and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted January 31, 2019 Author Share Posted January 31, 2019 Oooops, sorry Rob, I didnlt realise the back-box was that bad, it didn't sound overly loud, so I assumed it was a minor blow. I only put a couple of tanks worth of fuel in it, but honing down country lanes gave around 30mpg as well. Oddly it's only blowing slightly from two places, whereas pictorially it looks totally goosed. Genuine Subaru part too, which might explain why it hasn't fallen apart! egg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 30 mpg on a run sounds about right - none of the Subaru boxer engines are any good on juice. Wingz123 and RobT 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holbeck Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 That's nice Rob. Enjoy! RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I got 31 today over 200 miles at an indicated 80. I wouldn't expect more from 2/3s of the engine, especially not with an auto RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbenn Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Lovely. Keep the rust at bay and it'll last forever! RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadsword Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Very nice. It looks like a thing of purpose as they say. Here’s hoping the best for the MOT! I take it you are hoping for some snow now to test the 4wd excellence? RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted January 31, 2019 Author Share Posted January 31, 2019 That would be good, although I doubt we'll get much here. With a set of cross climates on I bet it'd go virtually anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minimad5 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Looks rather clean on top.Would love a Turbo version myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 The MoT on this expired on the 27th, and I haven't had time to fix the exhaust and get it tested. So yesterday I had a go. Part to be replaced. £50 quality* item, although it does have a fancy chrome tail pipe... This is the first car I've managed to get up on these ramps. They normally skid away backwards. Maybe the AWD has something to do with it. Tools at the ready. My new Rothenberger blow torch with adjustable flame. £23 eBay special and another £16 for the MAPP gas from Screwfix. Plus these. 3 persistent hours later and a 50% success rate, or failure depending how you look at it. One bolt was removed after much heat and breaker bar action, but the other ended like this. Mashed to feck. I even tried randomly drilling at it. Next step could the purchase of an angle grinder, or ask a garage to clear up my mess (wouldn't be the first time). Lying on my back with limited access to the bolt makes me wonder if DIY is the best option here, as I've never used an angle grinder before. This Argos Black & Decker one seems good value though, with decent power output. If I do go this route I'll be maxing out the protective face gear and gloves. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5327317?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156|acid:444-797-0832|cid:596310901|agid:28594123885|tid:aud-484139255901:pla-269645457762|crid:95887239565|nw:g|rnd:11855134469949604779|dvc:c|adp:1o2|mt:|loc:9045873&gclid=CjwKCAiA8OjjBRB4EiwAMZe6y_xPWpA3gq4kXYEeD_5ZVEby0vjpA3eTwgQigX7Ju2mkZMM11vbUaRoCeXUQAvD_BwE In reality, I'll probably just look sheepish and ask the garage who are doing the MoT to fix it. But atleast I had a go, and it confirms why I've never tried changing an exhaust before... Tickman, mercrocker, Spottedlaurel and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 A few weeks ago I also tried to fix the intermittent fast idle/surging issue, which has got worse. It's a bit alarming rolling up to a junction and it suddenly surging forwards, and being an auto there's no dip the clutch option. It could be a number of things, but I figured cleaning the ICV is an easy and cheap job. Well it is on my Cavalier, 10 minutes and you're done, but access is trickier on this. It's the grey thing, and the fourth bolt at the bottom was missing, which goes to show someone else thought it was a tricky thing to access too. Dirty Clean-ish It also gave me the opportunity to replace these evil things with some proper clips. It's better, but not fixed completely, so I might just have to live with it for now until time and money allow me to try other things. Atleast it won't be racing at 1500rpm come MoT time next Wednesday! For the sake of £9 I bought a throttle position sensor from China on the 6th February, delivery imminent, so we'll see if that makes any difference. mercrocker, purplebargeken, theshadow and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 I am waiting for the induction heating kits to come down in cost as I think they will be good for these sorts of things. Grinder will of the job although be very very careful with the wheel of death egg and RobT 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo3002 Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 nothing wrong with them spring clips ...keep constant tension hot or cold unlike a jubillee clip , sure sign someones been messing when they sling em away Eddie Honda, The Moog and cpjitservices 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 nothing wrong with them spring clips ...keep constant tension hot or cold unlike a jubillee clip , sure sign someones been messing when they sling em away If I had the proper tool i.e. spring clip pliers I probably wouldn't find them so annoying, but one of them wasn't doing the job as there was a slight coolant weep. A jubilee fixed it in this instance. purplebargeken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 Grinder will of the job although be very very careful with the wheel of death As much as I'd like to beat that bolt, I think I'll give it a miss and let the pros sort it. If access was better I'd be tempted. The Moog, Jim Bell and GrumpiusMaximus 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercrocker Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Even if you end up paying for stuff to be done it really does no harm to have a bloody good look first...At least you know what they will be up against and better understand any conversation with the mech. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey spud Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 I have seen them spring clips break and let coolant hoses pop off with disastrous results. Kia's were buggers for it a few years back. KruJoe and RobT 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 When I "fitted" the exhaust to the Kia Pride, I had a nut like that. I just cut it down as close to the threads as possible with a junior hacksaw, then used molegrips on the newly created flat part. The nut opened up like a hand unclasping, and only took ten minutes or so* *This may be a rose tinted view. Eddie Honda, RobT, Joey spud and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Nut splitters are available although probably not economically viable. Loserone has the home mechanics method down pat thin it out then abuse it. Have you got a set of stilsons? loserone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KruJoe Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 There are pros and cons to those spring hose clips fitted to a lot of Jap shite. They're fine until about 20 years old, when they tend to become a bit slack, at which point they're best replaced with good Jubilee-type clips (which can be tightened with the otherwise useless 7mm socket in your quarter-inch drive set). RobT and The Moog 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 Nut splitters are available although probably not economically viable. Loserone has the home mechanics method down pat thin it out then abuse it. Have you got a set of stilsons?Nope, that's another tool that I could do with. I did try using a junior hacksaw, but had about 5mm of movement so gave up pretty quickly. It was also getting dark and my work light ran out of charge, so I took that as a sign to pack up and go in for my dinner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_Q Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 When faced with something like that nut I would go for: 1. Grinder with 1mm disc. Will piss it off in seconds but access not great. Think my grinder was about £25 from B&Q2. Dremel with mini cutting disc. Takes a while but can get in tiny spaces, have used a dremel with an ebay spesh flex attachment to cut off rounded off turbo to downpipe nuts on one of my Imprezas. Dremel about £30 and another £10-15 for flex attachment and discs.3. Powerfile. Have used this on nuts before and with an 80 grit belt on it will disappear them fairly quickly. Mine is a Silverline badboy which was £28 off amazon. All those assume electricity available, you can get battery grinders and probably battery dremels, dunno about powerfile though. RobT, egg and The Moog 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 I need a powerfile in my life.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Thanks for the suggestions Dave. A dremel might be the better option then, even if it's slower than an angle grinder. If I'm going to buy more tools it sounds like the more flexible choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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