My First Subaru
 

I wasn't going to start a project, but after my first day of ownership it looks like it's going to be rather eventful! First a picture of what she currently looks like!

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps21a730db.jpg

Paid for the car on Monday, and I went back yesterday to collect her. I knew she needed a new battery so I picked a Halfords unit up on the way. First problems have already reared there ugly head! The negative terminal has a broken bolt, so I cannot tighten or loosen it on the battery, there is nothing to hold the battery in place, and because of the front mount, the intercooler piping touches the battery. Awesome start!

Now I've never driven a four wheel drive car before, and my previous car had a clutch on the way out so I wasn't great driving it to begin with, I was bouncing up the road and all sorts! Stopped at a petrol station to see smoke pouring out of the engine bay! So this happened...

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psfb900e1d.jpg

Followed closely by this...

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4c4b058d.jpg

Turns out there where no washers on the oil line banjo bolts, causing it to leak, hit the exhaust and cook it! The amazing AA man named Jakob managed to fit some spare washers we found in the car and fix the problem, however due to the amount of oil caught in the heat shield he decided it was best for me to be recovered. I had got to the car 40 miles from my house at 12:30, got home at 7:45, awesome!

So I've just got home from work, and my job for the evening is to remove the down pipe and clean up all the oil. I'll leave it off as I need to fit a cat to the car so I can get it through the MOT next week.

The other things that need sorting prior to MOT is 1 tyre is a different size, the horn doesn't currently work, the airbag light is on, and the dials have a mind of there own!

Other then that I'm happy with the car, she will keep me occupied which is the main thing. Hopefully another update over the weekend if I can get enough done!

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psda32fe7c.jpg

So this evening I've discovered the cause of my boost leak, one of the intercooler lines isn't tight! For some reason I didn't tighten it, but at least I know it's there!

I've started to remove the boost gauge, as I hate the fact it was screwed into the A pillar, looked crack aswell tbh!

I took the steering wheel off, only to discover that it wasn't even on tight! I expected to find the airbag wire not connected, but how wrong I was! There is no connector, just 2 wires on the back of the airbag. And the small black connector I presume what it connects to is broken!

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psc8892a2b.jpg

So that's a world of fun tbh! I'm considering getting a set of the dials that don't have the airbag light in, as I'm going to get one of the Nardi steering wheels. I am also going to have to completely require the horn, as it just doesn't work, probably due to the connector, but I don't mind too much.

The other thing I did was remove the rear number plate holder, it's lovely and chrome! Yum! It also turns out the previous owner put a mountain of Selotape over the holes, so I've got to tear all that off aswell!

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...pseec9539a.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2b928e20.jpg

But that's it for today, hopefully my cat will be here tomorrow so I'll crack on with that :)

All good fun when we have bought the car and knowingly the previous owners are wiping there for heads in relief they have got rid lol I'm in same boat pal finding all these silly little things the previous owner "knew nothing about"

Atleast your getting there mate!

car looks good mate :)

Shame you are having so many problems so early on but guess that is just second hand car buying! very rare to find a second hand car with no issues

This is it. Never mind, burned all the excess oil off today anyway :)

Yeah, will be a long process but I'm looking forward to it :)

Cheers dude! Yeah, I suppose I got a rather good deal on her anyway, so its not all bad.

Took her for a MOT today and failed, but not as bad as I was expecting! Failed on the airbag light (issue as above), battery insecure, horns not working (going to completely rewire them), 4 differnt bulbs, one headlight not secure, headlight aim all over the show, emissions, CV gaiter and a tyre.

I was expecting worse, and its all cheap :)

I hope you got it at a good price for the amount of problems that seem to be cropping up;),It does look nice though,just keep at it and it should be a Gem once you put some Good time into it,Enjoy:thumb:.SJ.

Best colour. :cool:

Haha thanks :) I paid £750 which I think is a steal considering! I'm hoping to be able to put a lot of time into her, getting her to the standard that I want :)

Agreed!

How many turbo, 4x4 cars with over 200+bhp can you get for £750??? Some people pay that for a set of brakes!!!!:thumb: Just enjoy the car mate, and try not to get hung up on bhp numbers like most of us do on here, as your £750 scoob will end up be a £20k scoob!!:thumb:

My (green) uk classic cos me £500!!

I have spent several £k on it though :lol1:

This is is! I have been looking, at 300bhp would be nice but I need so much sorted before that. For starters the current map on the car is awful! It causing the car to hunt which is never a good thing.

Haha I expect I'll be in the same boat soon, I'm well on my way to spending more on the car then what I paid for it.

That's a Very good price,I'm looking forward To reading about your progress,and what future plans you have for it:thumb:.SJ.

T
 

It was a bit tricky explaining why I needed a £1500 gearbox for a £500 car. :D

Thanks :) hopefully once she is through the MOT I will make some good progress :)

Haha I couldn't guess why :norty:

Keep at it mate don't let the negatives wear you down!

Look forward to the updates :thumb:

Looking forward to watching your progress fella.

Cheers gents :)

Hopefully I'll have some progress soon. I'm off work with a stiff neck so I can't even get out there :/

great stuff, nice to see another mica green example being saved

Thank you Sir, I do love the colour!

Bit of an update. I've had a really bad neck this last week and I've been off of work so not touched the Scoobaru. A few friends came round for an hour before they started work to do some MOT bits for me while I watched and took photos!

So I needed to change the number plate bulbs, which as we all no rust to hell and make nothing easy! So after removing the tail lights (pig of a job) and the rear bumper, we set about drilling the old screws out.

We failed miserably and ended up doing a proper bodge job on it, but it will get me through my MOT until I can order replacements if anyone knows where to get some from?

I'll let the pictures do the talking really, it looks awful, is awful and I cannot wait to get replacement brackets and holders!

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c38e788.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps187d533f.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...pscb3afedc.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps855f71b5.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps74a2ed93.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1569dfe6.jpg

Taa daa! That's it really, just used bolts that where in my garage for the time being, but they are sturdy and do the job. I'll finish off with a picture of my arse, because you know, full of win!

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6e34a184.jpg

Good news everyone! Sorted almost everything for my MOT!

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, but all i need is tyres, CV boot, headlight adjustment and tracking and she will pass. Hopefully ill have her back on Tuesday for the fun to begin!