I'm looking at buying my first subaru, a 1998 sport 2.0 N/A, Its ridiculously clean and the right price, the guy is selling it as it's surplus to requirements and has been sat on his drive way since summer...

The problem is the engine sounds like its misfiring, badly, when he first started it it wouldnt idle then after a few minutes it idled but was REALLY rough.
The guy doesnt speak much english, but he did say it needed new plugs, and theres a crack in the exhaust.

What i want to know is, is it likely that it could just need plugs/leads etc from being sat for so long? Or is there any common faults its likely to be?

I look forward to joining the scooby community, hope you guys can help

- Blake

 

I can't tell you what is needed exactly, but I would definitely give the car a major service, new timing belt and water pump change.

My 1999 Sport 2.0 N/A was running badly when I first got her, but with a bit of TLC and a few new sensors she's running like a dream now.

Things it needed:
Major service
Timing belt & water pump
Oxygen & knock sensor

 

Cheers, thats the plan, as long as theres no common fault with these engines thats gonna cost me more than its worth. Looks like i'll go ahead with getting it then

 

Well, a major service (with unseen extras), timing belt/water pump change cost me over £1000, but to me it was worth it, as the engine is still going strong and the bodywork is in good condition.

In the end giving the car the TLC she needed was worth every penny, as she's looked after me ever since and haven't missed a beat.

 

I can tell you the problem mate,sounds like its missing a TURBO

 

AFR sensor in the exhaust is used for the fueling, as the early NA don't run a maf sensor.

these usually can fail

 

^^^

 

Good friends with the owner of a garage, so think thats the plan, think they'll be needed anyway due to corrosion

Insurance would just laugh at me