Pcshedman

Well I am not laughing after buying a car that can only have a simple job like changing a plug done by a contortionist.
Job forced on me as 97 Legacy 2.5 started running on 3 cylinders. Back plug on drivers side need doing-total farce, gave up after skinned knuckles and plug spanner stuck on plug.
Had enough, goodbye Subaru, hello scrapyard!

andy97

iTrader: (1)

I think Subaru had the lucky end

jayallen

iTrader: (31)

Changing plugs is a doddle fella

frayz

iTrader: (7)

So you made a thread to tell us all you're crap with a tool kit? Lol

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Did you take air filter off etc for easier access?

MOTORS S GT

iTrader: (2)

Its like the Albert Hall for room on Legacy's compared to Impreza's, you can even remove & replace heads in situ on Legacy's.

Pcshedman

Yes filter removed but the truth is you only have about 3 inches to work in and in many years of motoring with most car makes this is the worst access I have experienced.
The thought of doing all four is unthinkable.
I can't face that so as the plug won't budge even when I got a grip on it willing to try the local garage. Mechanic there said might be seized- terminal economically to pay to have head removed.
Mechanic said previous owners probably ignored the job due to inaccessibility.
Very disappointed.

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

^
The problem there is
It sounds like u have gave up before you started the job
Go back & take a fresh confident approach

Hawkeye D

Count to 10 Pcshedman and have another go.

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Yep try again. much more room on a leggy than an impreza. can do al 4 on mine (impreza) in under an hr.

kent-scooby

There not that hard to do a bit of a pain ar3e to get at done mine on my newage lost bit of skin in the process

Pcshedman

Problem is that I have been spoiled by buying old cars for years and always done well. Last one was a Honda Shuttle which covered 31000 miles in my ownership with no mechanical woes and was easy to work on. It died at 210000 miles.
This Legacy only lasted 3 weeks before trouble and I am not one to keep something giving bad signs out.
Am taking it to my village garage on Monday for them to have a go at it. If result is negative, forced to weigh it in and buy something else as need reliability even at budget price.

Blue by You

iTrader: (23)

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Don't be hard on the guy
Some people pull a bonnet look & jst say "no"
I'm sure your garage will have the plug out for you no probs

frayz

iTrader: (7)

I was only messing, but does seem a little extreme to slag off the car because you failed at doing something.
Good luck getting your plug out

rob84

iTrader: (5)

count yourself lucky your not changing the rear plugs on a h6 engine Now thats rather tighter. Its all about having the right tools for the job otherwise your making life difficult for yourself from the outset.. Good on you for trying though

JdcTypeR

iTrader: (19)

Is it the fact that the spark plug is siezed in that is the major problem he's having or is it supposed lack of room to get in there to get the plug out?

Pcshedman

Thanks for the positives............the car itself is an excellent drive. I was expecting too much perhaps but can only do simple service tasks in reality-plug changing being one I usually do.
I didn't realise the level of skill you guys obviously have but for me I just need a reliable automatic car with good carrying capability preferably 4 wheel drive and good in snow as its moorland where I live.
As such I found the working space too tight for me as I have arthritis in my fingers and just couldn't perform as well as others.You blokes deserve praise if you can work on these cars

JdcTypeR

iTrader: (19)

They can be a nightmare mate its just getting used to working on them but having arthritis will obviously be a problem for you. If the sparkplug is siezed ot will be alot more difficult.

chopperman

Sounds like a bloke with 11 thumbs and a boot sale tool kit lol.

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

best not get a Porsche then

chopperman

Or a modern motorbike.

super_ted

iTrader: (30)

It's all about having the right, good quality tools. The garage will have it out no problem, then you can resume the enjoyment of driving it again ( unless this is not actually the cause of the problem )

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Mate, once you have done them a few times there actually very easy, the correct tools is the key to doing them, short extensions and flexy drive help, first time i done a set i lost my rag with it, can do them in no time now, make sure you move washer bottle and battery and any other things in the road, its much easier than you think just seems a pain due to the lack of room lol

Pcshedman

Yes guys you are right really. I am not keen to scrap it as it really is a solid, sure-footed and comfortable car. I hope the garage can sort it and then I can keep on driving as it has an MOT until next June.
Just that I lost the will to live struggling with it. To all those who have struggled at first, thanks for your advice.
I should have got something with a better service history, assuming that dealers do the work properly. Subarus are possibly not the best buy at the banger end of the market. My mistake.

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

stop slagging the op off came on here asking for advise and gets slagged off subarus are hard to work on if you need a specialist there is a good one in bacup

Pcshedman

Good will look the one in Bacup up assuming we get four cylinders running again!
Thanks

chopperman

I found changing the plugs on a v6 mondeo more of a work up than the scoob but with 2ft of garden hose to extract the plugs it was like the scoob, a 30 min job.
It's all about being methodical and being prepared to remove things rather than try and work around them. The correct tools is another must for this job.

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

Never had an issue myself, just need the right length extension and good plug socket, I bought a magnetic plug socket and find it a lot better than the ones with rubber in them, as plug sizes do vary and rubber not always good fit, with magnetic one have never dropped a plug

chopperman

I might try a magnetic one next time. When i do mine i have 2 plug sockets. One with the rubber for removing the plugs and one without the rubber for putting the new plug in. I found it impossible to remove the socket with the bung once the plug was tightened.