NinjaPablo

Started getting a small wisp of steam from under the hood on the way home yesterday, but no signs of overheating or any major leak. The radiator cap had some white crud built up on it, and looking in the reservoir and radiator, the coolant looks as bright as when I put it in before. I do see some small white flakes floating in it though, might try a flush this weekend.

Out with the old

http://i.imgur.com/bCrnz.jpg

 

In with the new

http://i.imgur.com/Cvtst.jpg

I think I found the source of clicking sounds from the rear end on my '91. I don't think I'm supposed to be able to wiggle the bolt I've circled by hand.

 

http://i.imgur.com/mEpFj.jpg

 

I'm not really good with suspension work. I thought this was an endlink, but the ones I'm finding are C-shaped, not a straight bolt with some bushings. What am I looking at here?

Mine needs some touchup but survived a Michigan winter with little issue.

Changed the oil and ATF, nothing out of the ordinary there. Before I started in on the wiring fixes, I tried to get a couple 'minor' things out of the way, which didn't go as planned.

 

First I tracked down a grinding sound to somewhere on the rear driver side wheel. Went to get the disc off, and as soon as I got the caliber out of the way, one of the pads just crumbled to bits. Blah.

 

Decided to move on. Front passenger wheel has a stripped stud. Got the caliper out of the way and the pads off, but can't for the life of me get the support bracket bolts to budge.

 

Also, not sure if this is normal - I noticed that only the front right and rear left wheels would turn if I put the car in gear. If I gave it some gas in gear, the front left would also turn, but not very fast. The right rear wheel would barely budge. No unusual noise, other than the grinding on the left rear wheel that I mentioned.

Close - barn mice. Well, I s'pose I can do some other stuff while I'm under there too. More weekend projects!

Mine starting blowing the fuse for the tail lights this weekend. I fear I must finally face what I've been dreading - fixing up this wire bundle under the radiator:

 

http://i.imgur.com/kSKmD.jpg

Finally got everything buttoned back up. New fuel filter and hoses for it. Started right up! Ended up having to replace the PCV hoses from the valve covers too, they both split while I was putting them back on.

Got both valve covers off and cleaned up. Put the new gasket in the passenger side one and put it back on. Figured as long as I have everything out of the way, I'd do plugs & wires too. Going to get the drivers side cover back on tomorrow, along with finishing up the fuel filter and external ATF filter. For now, beer!

 

On that note, does anyone have a part number for the original external filter? I thought I had it wrote down somewhere, but can't find it, and the parts desk at the dealership closed at 1:00

Picked up new valve cover gaskets and a new fuel filter, going to do those this weekend. Anything I should watch out for? Do I need to put any gasket sealant on when I'm doing it?

*snap* Got to spend my lunch replacing the power steering/alternator belt.

The clamps on the lines going to/from the fuel filter had come loose and were leaking a bit, so I tightened those back down. The wagon got its first real taste of snow in this season this week. Gotta say, given the choice between the wagon and my Durango, the wagon handles much better.

Finally brought the Legacy home again last night, after it's been sitting in snow for most of a week (due to playing musical cars with getting the GF's car repaired). On the drive home, there was a distinct gas smell coming from the vents, and it took forever for it to shift out of 2nd (automatic).

 

I've got it in the garage for now, trying to figure out what to start on and where the gas smell could be coming from.

So far so good. We'll see how it holds up to the 6 months of salty roads coming up

The Legacy has been having issues charging the battery lately, so I finally took it in to get checked. The battery tested bad and the alternator was uncertain. Pulled the alt, and it tested good by itself. After cleaning up the contacts and replacing the battery, it's running good again.

Had to call a buddy and get a jump last night. The battery died at the gas station less than 2 miles from home.

 

The whole thing has been acting strange lately. Seems like something is drawing too much current somewhere. Wipers run very slowly, headlights dim, radio clicks on/off when braking, and it seems to shift sluggish (automatic). I guess I get to spend the next few days tracking down electric gremlins.

I finished putting on some interior trim pieces that I still had laying around. I also managed to snap the rear wiper mounting bolt Oh well, winter just means I'll be using the ice scraper soon anyways!

I started wirebrushing away some of the rusting/bubbly spots today, and got them primed. I also primed and painted the spoiler, but it isn't going back on the car until after I get some body painting done.

 

Somehow, doing all that made me clean my garage out too.