The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-26-2007, 02:36 PM
BenSVX BenSVX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 83
HELP - Supposed to buy this Friday...

Hello all,

I am supposed to be buying my second SVX this Friday. It has everything done to it I don't have the time or $ to do to mine (5 spd, PWR rad, etc. etc. on down through to the Stebro)...

The seller went to safety it at the dealer today and came back with these observations...

"Everything during certification inspection was ok except that;
front engine is leaking a bit of oil, power steering is only pumping
at half power - (as you may have noticed during test drive) needs
further analysis, hood struts have to be replaced for certification."

1) Am I getting myself into something I can't handle - i.e. I have little money, time, or mechanical expertise..
2) Should I demand these be done prior to the sale at his expense (doubtful that he would...)
3) Buy it anyway, swap with my current pump (affecting my hopeful near future sale), get struts from Canadian Tire (I remember a thread with $30 "options" and hope the leak is not a big deal....

Thanks for your responses...
__________________
Ben

92 Graphite LS-L Touring (136k miles) #4143
5 speed, ACT clutch, Sparco R-Speed shortshifter, Ecutune v1, Stebro exhaust, PWR rad, 18" Motegi Racing FF15 wheels wrapped in Falken Azenis, Alpine 9833 MP3/CD with Alpine 3ways in front, MSW G-lateral drop springs, ss braided brake lines, d/s rotors, 9005 headlight mod, Celcius mod

92 Ebony LS-L Touring (125k miles) #7328
smallcar shift kit, Panasonic MP3/CD, Remote starter with security
For Sale: http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...370#post501370

92 Claret LS-L Touring (Sold - 1998)
The first car I ever drove.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-26-2007, 03:03 PM
SVXRide's Avatar
SVXRide SVXRide is offline
Official AutoX Part Breaker
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Midlothian, VA 23112
Posts: 8,138
Registered SVX
the steering pump is the only thing I'd have looked at more. you want to make sure it's the pump and not something with the rack itself.
-Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist

Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023

Center Network Member #989

'92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33
'92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension
'92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place)
My Locker
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-26-2007, 03:49 PM
Hocrest's Avatar
Hocrest Hocrest is offline
Freezepop's are Awesome!!!!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittston, PA
Posts: 5,334
Send a message via AIM to Hocrest
You need properly working hood struts to pass certification?? Would a chopped broomstick meet technical specs?

With the engine running have someone turn the steering wheel from side to side while you watch the steering pump pulley. If you notice "skipping" in the pulley, then either the belt needs tightened or the crank pulley is slipping.
__________________
Dave
- 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-26-2007, 04:04 PM
BenSVX BenSVX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 83
Thanks for the replies so far...

I unfortunately live 4 hours away from the seller so I do not have access to the car to check the P/S myself. I have been planning for a few weeks now to drive there with a friend when all safety, etc. has been done, transfer title and drive it back. These new revelations have put a kink in that plan.

Questions:

1) Could it just be an old o-ring in the P/S? Or would Subaru have figured that out on their own?

2) I've heard that a "small oil leak" is not uncommon with these cars and are often nothing to worry about - how can I verify this one is "nothing" pre-purchase?

Answers:

1) Yes - hood struts are apparently necessary to safety the car in Ontario. If not a broomstick, you'd at least think a hockey stick would fly up here...

Thanks again
__________________
Ben

92 Graphite LS-L Touring (136k miles) #4143
5 speed, ACT clutch, Sparco R-Speed shortshifter, Ecutune v1, Stebro exhaust, PWR rad, 18" Motegi Racing FF15 wheels wrapped in Falken Azenis, Alpine 9833 MP3/CD with Alpine 3ways in front, MSW G-lateral drop springs, ss braided brake lines, d/s rotors, 9005 headlight mod, Celcius mod

92 Ebony LS-L Touring (125k miles) #7328
smallcar shift kit, Panasonic MP3/CD, Remote starter with security
For Sale: http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...370#post501370

92 Claret LS-L Touring (Sold - 1998)
The first car I ever drove.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-26-2007, 04:10 PM
Hocrest's Avatar
Hocrest Hocrest is offline
Freezepop's are Awesome!!!!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittston, PA
Posts: 5,334
Send a message via AIM to Hocrest
I've heard of dealers giving a preliminary report that the steering rack or pump will need replaced. Many of these have been fixed by a belt or replacing the o-ring.

Mild front leaks are common on 1 year old Subaru's. $200 worth of parts and a good afternoon can fix them and get you a new water pump and timing belt.

hehehe... a hockey stick... why didn't I think of that...
__________________
Dave
- 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-26-2007, 07:53 PM
ensteele's Avatar
ensteele ensteele is offline
Betcha can't buy just one!
Alcyone Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Burlington, WA
Posts: 19,552
Send a message via ICQ to ensteele Send a message via Yahoo to ensteele Send a message via Skype™ to ensteele
Registered SVX Classic SVX
1) Could it just be an old o-ring in the P/S? Or would Subaru have figured that out on their own?

Yes, it could be the O-Ring. Subaru may not have figured that out. Many members have had the shop tell them that they needed a new pump when an O-Ring fixed their problems.
__________________
.
Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*>

Subaru Ambassador

[COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430
1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739
1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420

My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-26-2007, 09:38 PM
BenSVX BenSVX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 83
Thanks Earl and Dave,

I just got off the phone with the seller and suggested he take the SVX back to the dealer to confirm what is wrong with the P/S before I make the trek and spend the $.

He was reluctant and said he had driven it fine for the last 1.5 years with the slight pull on the steering and that another shop told him it was merely a pinched line...he's going to call me back - I offered to pay 1/2 the dealer labour to figure it out.

Could it just be a pinched line? Doesn't seem like Subaru would make a fuss about safetying a car if that's all it was...

Anything else you guys think of would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben
__________________
Ben

92 Graphite LS-L Touring (136k miles) #4143
5 speed, ACT clutch, Sparco R-Speed shortshifter, Ecutune v1, Stebro exhaust, PWR rad, 18" Motegi Racing FF15 wheels wrapped in Falken Azenis, Alpine 9833 MP3/CD with Alpine 3ways in front, MSW G-lateral drop springs, ss braided brake lines, d/s rotors, 9005 headlight mod, Celcius mod

92 Ebony LS-L Touring (125k miles) #7328
smallcar shift kit, Panasonic MP3/CD, Remote starter with security
For Sale: http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...370#post501370

92 Claret LS-L Touring (Sold - 1998)
The first car I ever drove.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-27-2007, 12:52 AM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
another shop told him it was merely a pinched line...???

Couldn't be the end of the world? Everyone of us svx men could replace a pinched line, and most of our wives and daughters could as well... with a little coaching. Where did all the craftsmen in the shops go that used to actually repair things?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-27-2007, 01:04 AM
Ricochet's Avatar
Ricochet Ricochet is offline
I brought some ham.
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 1,868
Send a message via AIM to Ricochet Send a message via MSN to Ricochet Send a message via Yahoo to Ricochet
You're buying a 10-15 year old used car, even worse, an svx. If you don't have time and money for fix-its buy a newer Honda or something.
__________________
Brian
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:10 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122