So, long story short, I got myself a 1991 Subaru XT6 free of charge. It moves on its own power; I can't imagine its worth more than $500.00 on a good day. I'll be quitting my full time job pretty soon to attend nursing school, and I intend to get a part time job delivering pizzas. Don't want to do that with anything new, so I figure this might be a good beater for the job.
Well, when I got it, it stalled constantly and there was a vacuum leak over the exhaust. First things first, I replaced the line. No more leak. Obviously, smoking not coming in through heater duct-good!
Then the questionable stuff begins. Mind you, I don't do much with my cars other than change my own oil and maybe a pad slap here and there. So I do value your opinions.
After googling around, I realized part of my problem may be a faulty MAF sensor. $200 part on a $500 car? I don't think so. I unplugged the MAF and called it a day. Ran better. Stalled less. But still stalled. I know its not ideal, but good enough?
Then, I noticed oil pressure was not very good. So I changed oil, four quarts of 10-30 and a bottle of lucas. (I know better than to use that stuff in a real car, relax.) Pressure was still very low. I was about to junk the car at that point, but at the last minute I experimented. Two quarts of lucas and two quarts of 15W-40! Anathema to a BITOGer, I know. But I'll tell you what, after I did that, I could actually get the car to GO! I could get it to 70 on the highway, no problem, whereas before, 35 mph was a stretch.
Then, I still stalled a little, lost power. Very low idle. Did not want to stop at traffic lights, had to two foot it. So I cleaned the very very dirty throttle body. Helped a little, but still stalled sometimes. So I taped a penny in the throttle! Same effect as two footing it at a light, obviously, but more convenient. Now it runs very well! Sometimes the tape comes off, though. I think I will JB WELD the penny.
I know none of these are proper repairs, but remember what we are dealing with. We want something that will deliver pizzas for a couple months before it finally gives up and I cash it in for my $300.00. I want opinions, tips, and tricks. Thanks guys.
Well, when I got it, it stalled constantly and there was a vacuum leak over the exhaust. First things first, I replaced the line. No more leak. Obviously, smoking not coming in through heater duct-good!
Then the questionable stuff begins. Mind you, I don't do much with my cars other than change my own oil and maybe a pad slap here and there. So I do value your opinions.
After googling around, I realized part of my problem may be a faulty MAF sensor. $200 part on a $500 car? I don't think so. I unplugged the MAF and called it a day. Ran better. Stalled less. But still stalled. I know its not ideal, but good enough?
Then, I noticed oil pressure was not very good. So I changed oil, four quarts of 10-30 and a bottle of lucas. (I know better than to use that stuff in a real car, relax.) Pressure was still very low. I was about to junk the car at that point, but at the last minute I experimented. Two quarts of lucas and two quarts of 15W-40! Anathema to a BITOGer, I know. But I'll tell you what, after I did that, I could actually get the car to GO! I could get it to 70 on the highway, no problem, whereas before, 35 mph was a stretch.
Then, I still stalled a little, lost power. Very low idle. Did not want to stop at traffic lights, had to two foot it. So I cleaned the very very dirty throttle body. Helped a little, but still stalled sometimes. So I taped a penny in the throttle! Same effect as two footing it at a light, obviously, but more convenient. Now it runs very well! Sometimes the tape comes off, though. I think I will JB WELD the penny.
I know none of these are proper repairs, but remember what we are dealing with. We want something that will deliver pizzas for a couple months before it finally gives up and I cash it in for my $300.00. I want opinions, tips, and tricks. Thanks guys.
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