legacycentral bbs

hi, im new and i just bought a beater wagon to get me to the snow. i found this sweet legacy wagon at an auction and i picked it up for 750. needless to say it runs like a bag of ass. it idles really rough and has no power. also the clutch engagement is at the very end (the end towards me not the firewall) of the pedal - im curious if it even engages fully (no slip though). today im looking at the plugs and wires, fuel filter, air filter, engine codes and whatnot to see what could be causing the power loss, i would appreciate anyones thoughts on the matter. also if anyone could help me figure out the clutch adjustment - it should just be a nut on the cable near the trans but any info is helpful. thx

Congratulations on an awesome purchse.. stay here a while and you won't kick yourself over it.
Yes, if its an NA, (Non turbo) then your clutch adjustment will be with the cable.. try things out first.
really it's not too hard to just replace the clutch, if you've ever done one before, or have someone with some experience help you. Drop the tranny, slide that sucker out, and put the new one in. Time is about 4 hours if you have help (you're gonna need it, that tranny is HEAVY.) and a new clutch kit shouldn't run you more than $200. Hit up your local autozone or something.
Replacing all your filters, wires, and plugs is a great place to start. go for the NGK V-power plugs, we've found that those work the best.
Loss of power is kinda subjective, though.. does it run, or is it just not "punchy" enough for you? check your exhaust and all that jazz..
while you're there, check the AWD system --give it a go-- is there any clunking, noise, etc. around corners? take some notes and get back to us.
You sound like you know a little bit about what you're doing, so the pointers I just gave you should give you an idea of what you're dealing with here. You're gonna love this car.
again, welcome to the boards.

UPDATE: well i changed the plugs and wires and the back left plug (looking at the motor) was full of carbon buildup. after i changed them the engine ran alot better. also i adjusted the clutch, it doesnt feel like a great clutch but its not slipping and the engagement is alot easier. one thing i noticed though is that there is an oil leak on the left side of the motor (once again if you were looking at the motor). smoke is coming from the exhaust on that side even after i cleaned it. any ideas on where it would be leaking from?

Valve cover gaskets.

Valve cover gasket. Easy and cheap. Possibly rear cam seal.

Steve

Where are you? members help members, even if it means standing around in the rain drinking beer.

the leak is either the rear cam seal on that side or the seal on the seperator plate on the back of the engine behind the flywheel or the rear crank seal.

well im up in tacoma, washington. tomorrow i plan to clean everything underneath the car and try to figure out if it is in fact the valve cover gasket or something more serious. in response to is being something behind the flywheel, would something that is leaking from the back of the engine only cause it to drip on one side of the exhaust? because the other side is completely clean. its running great right now too so im hoping to spend only a little more time and money on it to have it in snow day shape. thanks

If it's only one one side....it's more then likely the rear cam seal....assuming the leak is on the passenger side and not drivers.

I replaced all the seals when I did my timing belt.

Here's some pictures

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... timingbelt

there's a better picture of the rear cam plug/seal in these set of pics
http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/ima ... efault.htm

ok so if i clean off the oil and the leak is coming from that cam plug at the rear pass side then its the rear cam seal and if its coming from the valve cover its the valve cover gasket? i need to figure this out before i replace the wrong thing. thanks again for all the info guys. im going downstairs in a few minutes to start cleaning it off.

Honestly.....I would just replace both valve cover gaskets, the grommets on the valve covers and the rear cam seal. They're not too expensive and relatively easy to change. Those are the main leaker sources on the ej22 motors.

hey thanks for your help as soon as i get started ill post an update, hopefully i dont jack anything up too hard. thanks again

also anyhting i might need to know when replacing any of these things like a trick to make things easier?

tacoma? jesus, kiddo... I work in FedWay.. PM me if you'd like some help, i've just gotten done completing my own engine swap, and I'd love to help you get acclimated to all things BC/BF legacy. Why do I get the feeling you're a little less from Tacoma, and further toward Puyallup?
just PM me, and I'll come help you. Like i said, i work in Federal Way, but i live in 'North' Puyallup, So either way, I'm close to 'Tacoma'.
I PM'd you.. haha.
Members help members.

Hey guys, the cam seal metal plate was loose and oil was coming out of there i tightened it back up and everything seems col but im wondering if the seal is still bad - im still cleaning so i guess ill find out sooner or later