If he has a learning curve next time he may invite dad along.
My 17 y/o bought his first car
- Thread starter eljefino
- Start date
The idler kit is near a hundred bucks. Not spending that to find out the head gaskets are bad. And dumping a running car on facebook for $700 vs junking it for $500 is unethical-- there are people who buy "anything that runs" then mentally block all advice as to what's needed immediately. The outer idler pulley shells separated from the inner bearing races when I released the belt tension.
Junior has been debriefed, he respects his situation.
Last edited:
Interesting decision mix on jr's part. I have mixed feelings as a dad here as you do.
If he is living at home - one thing that typically happens now that that your insurance company will now force an exclusion of him from your policy, so your vehicles become off limits without extra money paid in.
If this happens it's a good time to change the rules about cars and car ownership should you choose to do so.
I admire your ability to do the work and the tenacity to get at it like you are - thumbs up.
If he is living at home - one thing that typically happens now that that your insurance company will now force an exclusion of him from your policy, so your vehicles become off limits without extra money paid in.
If this happens it's a good time to change the rules about cars and car ownership should you choose to do so.
I admire your ability to do the work and the tenacity to get at it like you are - thumbs up.
Last edited:
I know people who wish their sons had the get-up-and-go to get involved in their own vehicles. Op, while this was an expensive lesson, he's way ahead of those his own age who don't have the desire to do anything on their own.
PM me the VIN and I'll let you know if there are any recent services that may give you hope.
I would be surprised as all get out of this is the original head gasket set.
Finally old enough to make questionable decisions. Decided to do something on his own. Showed a spark of independence. I think he'll go far.
Good luck on the rest.
Can you rig up a leakdown tester? To test for bent valves, if the cams have spun so the valves are shut, might be the fast way to test the heads.
Good luck on the rest.
Can you rig up a leakdown tester? To test for bent valves, if the cams have spun so the valves are shut, might be the fast way to test the heads.
In 1978 my dad bought my mom a brand new 1978 subaru brat. My mom did not know how to drive a stick so that was an interesting day.
Anyway the shifter was on an M8 bolt and that bolt would get a groove worn in it which caused the shifter to get sloppy .As the smallest member of the family it was my job to slide under the car and replace that bolt every year or so.
Anyway the shifter was on an M8 bolt and that bolt would get a groove worn in it which caused the shifter to get sloppy .As the smallest member of the family it was my job to slide under the car and replace that bolt every year or so.
Hah! A brat fixing the Brat, lol. I bet I'm not the first to make that joke.
I would not give up on it just yet. Pulling the engine is easiest when replacing the clutch pull the heads and pistons,send the heads out to a shop. Hone the bores, clean the ring lands and put new rings on them. Put it back together and it will run longer than the rest of the car will last.
2.2s don’t have HG issues like the 2.5s did, because of the closed-deck block I mentioned. The cylinders don’t walk around in those and cause the issues that every internet expert knows about Subaru.
The decision to save a couple bucks per engine ended up costing Subaru way more than that extra aluminum would have…
Do the slave cylinder while they’re at it
At least he didn't secretly buy and ride a motorcycle (without helmet) that he stored at an older friend's house until he crashed that bike into a city bus. That's what I did when I was 12! My parents still don't know 36 years later. They must never find out or I'll be grounded until I'm 70.
That was a quick punch to the mouth at his age. Hopefully if all the suspension parts dont need replaced -- use can bond and rebuild it. Best of luck to the young man and kuddos to you for having patience.
The sad thing is I remembered this and then I forgot it. You just help me remember it again!
Life isn't always fun when you're in your '50s.
This kinda deserves it's own thread. My parents still don't know about the monthly neighborhood BB gun fights or that bridge we used to jump off into the river.
deleted double post...
A friend of mine bought one of these new back in the day, the HGs were leaking by 80k and he babied the thing.
I loved my youth in 80s. Parents let us roam free till nightfall and we did so many things they’d ground or kill me. Glad I lived to tell about them.
My favorite was something called field beaters at age 11. We’d race barely running cars around fields at friends house just over border in ME.
Similar threads
