Picking up a 2000 Subaru Legacy that hasn't moved in years
Discussion
I'm in a odd, but I think lucky, situation where I've been given a Subaru Legacy 2.0 from 2000. The guy who's giving it to me has said it's been stood for a few years, will need a new battery and the tyres are flat. It was put away working as he got another car at the time and just never used it after that. It's been in a garage under sheets, so at least it's been dry stored. From what I gather it's the non-turbo Boxer in this car.
I've never had a Subaru before, and I've never picked up a car like this where it's been stood for ages like this. Never even seen a Boxer engine in my life either, so I'm totally new to the mechanics of these cars.
Is there anything I need to look out for with the car? As in, will the Boxer box itself to bits if I turn the key for the first time after such a long time standing?
I've never had a Subaru before, and I've never picked up a car like this where it's been stood for ages like this. Never even seen a Boxer engine in my life either, so I'm totally new to the mechanics of these cars.
Is there anything I need to look out for with the car? As in, will the Boxer box itself to bits if I turn the key for the first time after such a long time standing?
I`ve got a 2.5 2005 Outback which is a similar enough engine as far as I know. I`d disconnect the plugs so that it won`t fire until some oil pressure has built up (warning light goes out) & then reconnect & try your luck! Make sure you`ve got coolant. Expect the exhaust to have perforated through with standing.
I had my Saab put away for 11 years & it fired up Ok in 2 seconds - I was bothered about old petrol but in the end it didn`t matter. I topped up with a gallon & ran that through & everything was fine. New oil & filter asap. I`m sure you`d get some helpful advice from http://www.uklegacy.com - it`s a good forum. Very best of luck & post a picture or a video!
I had my Saab put away for 11 years & it fired up Ok in 2 seconds - I was bothered about old petrol but in the end it didn`t matter. I topped up with a gallon & ran that through & everything was fine. New oil & filter asap. I`m sure you`d get some helpful advice from http://www.uklegacy.com - it`s a good forum. Very best of luck & post a picture or a video!
julianm said:
I`ve got a 2.5 2005 Outback which is a similar enough engine as far as I know. I`d disconnect the plugs so that it won`t fire until some oil pressure has built up (warning light goes out) & then reconnect & try your luck! Make sure you`ve got coolant. Expect the exhaust to have perforated through with standing.
I had my Saab put away for 11 years & it fired up Ok in 2 seconds - I was bothered about old petrol but in the end it didn`t matter. I topped up with a gallon & ran that through & everything was fine. New oil & filter asap. I`m sure you`d get some helpful advice from http://www.uklegacy.com - it`s a good forum. Very best of luck & post a picture or a video!
Thanks for that.I had my Saab put away for 11 years & it fired up Ok in 2 seconds - I was bothered about old petrol but in the end it didn`t matter. I topped up with a gallon & ran that through & everything was fine. New oil & filter asap. I`m sure you`d get some helpful advice from http://www.uklegacy.com - it`s a good forum. Very best of luck & post a picture or a video!
I was planning on squirting some WD40 in the cylinders before starting it, as I know they suffer (or can suffer) piston slap and I'd like to avoid adding to the problem!
I'll check out the Legacy website. And I'll post a photo or two tomorrow when I pick it up!
Access to the plugs can be a pain - mine`s not too bad but I had to buy a couple of stubby 3/8 extensions & a decent plug socket.
Instructions for a Legacy here - not sure if it matches your model: http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php/topic/120...
2 1/2 hours .... which must be a bit long -
video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i83CIRzplHg
If you do go to that trouble I`d try & get some engine oil in the bores but obviously access isn`t easy!
Instructions for a Legacy here - not sure if it matches your model: http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php/topic/120...
2 1/2 hours .... which must be a bit long -
video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i83CIRzplHg
If you do go to that trouble I`d try & get some engine oil in the bores but obviously access isn`t easy!
I picked it up on Saturday, and it looks amazing.
Body work, while it needs a wash and there's a little crazing on the front bumper, is perfect really. Nothing a good polish would sort out!
There's no air con in it, which I'm not fussed about. Less to sap the power of the engine!
Only issue I had was when I started the car the revs weren't steady. Idled at 1,500 then dipped to the point of stalling then came back again. Did it a few times and it eventually stalled. I'm going to change the filter and clean the leads etc this weekend, as I think a combination of stale fuel and damp just gave it a hard time starting.
Moved away without a problem, the owner never put the hand brake on it so that was a God send.
I've had a look at the plugs, I didn't bring my proper tool kit like a proper tool forgetting it wasn't a normal inline engine. So I didn't take the plugs out. I've had a watch of some videos, looks a pain but not impossible.
All in all, the car cost me a bottle of Tyrconnell Whiskey. I think it's a good buy!
Body work, while it needs a wash and there's a little crazing on the front bumper, is perfect really. Nothing a good polish would sort out!
There's no air con in it, which I'm not fussed about. Less to sap the power of the engine!
Only issue I had was when I started the car the revs weren't steady. Idled at 1,500 then dipped to the point of stalling then came back again. Did it a few times and it eventually stalled. I'm going to change the filter and clean the leads etc this weekend, as I think a combination of stale fuel and damp just gave it a hard time starting.
Moved away without a problem, the owner never put the hand brake on it so that was a God send.
I've had a look at the plugs, I didn't bring my proper tool kit like a proper tool forgetting it wasn't a normal inline engine. So I didn't take the plugs out. I've had a watch of some videos, looks a pain but not impossible.
All in all, the car cost me a bottle of Tyrconnell Whiskey. I think it's a good buy!
sgtBerbatov said:
I picked it up on Saturday, and it looks amazing.
Body work, while it needs a wash and there's a little crazing on the front bumper, is perfect really. Nothing a good polish would sort out!
There's no air con in it, which I'm not fussed about. Less to sap the power of the engine!
Only issue I had was when I started the car the revs weren't steady. Idled at 1,500 then dipped to the point of stalling then came back again. Did it a few times and it eventually stalled. I'm going to change the filter and clean the leads etc this weekend, as I think a combination of stale fuel and damp just gave it a hard time starting.
Moved away without a problem, the owner never put the hand brake on it so that was a God send.
I've had a look at the plugs, I didn't bring my proper tool kit like a proper tool forgetting it wasn't a normal inline engine. So I didn't take the plugs out. I've had a watch of some videos, looks a pain but not impossible.
All in all, the car cost me a bottle of Tyrconnell Whiskey. I think it's a good buy!
I think its an excellent buy. I still see this model alot on the roads around where i live in central Switzerland. I have the last model to be built before it became Levorg with a 2.5i. The engines are excellent. Keep a regular service interval of 12,000km and you'll be fine with a machine that age. Dont worry about lack of a/c. It sucks the power something serious on hot days on an engine like that. Body work, while it needs a wash and there's a little crazing on the front bumper, is perfect really. Nothing a good polish would sort out!
There's no air con in it, which I'm not fussed about. Less to sap the power of the engine!
Only issue I had was when I started the car the revs weren't steady. Idled at 1,500 then dipped to the point of stalling then came back again. Did it a few times and it eventually stalled. I'm going to change the filter and clean the leads etc this weekend, as I think a combination of stale fuel and damp just gave it a hard time starting.
Moved away without a problem, the owner never put the hand brake on it so that was a God send.
I've had a look at the plugs, I didn't bring my proper tool kit like a proper tool forgetting it wasn't a normal inline engine. So I didn't take the plugs out. I've had a watch of some videos, looks a pain but not impossible.
All in all, the car cost me a bottle of Tyrconnell Whiskey. I think it's a good buy!
The seller got a good deal with the bottle of whiskey too. Personally I would have asked you for a bottle of 25 year old Midleton.
Safe motoring.
Nice car especially for the price 
. I had the RSK version of the same model. Great car that I thoroughly abused. Only issues were the exhaust falling apart, the front calipers seizing and various oil seals leaking in the power train, all fairly common. It was getting rusty too in the usual places and starting to come through into the rear door shuts in the bottom rear corner. Oh yes, also the rear wiper stopped working after getting progressively slower. The shaft to the wiper arm got rusty. Disassembled the whole thing gave it a rub down, regreased and reassembled.
. I had the RSK version of the same model. Great car that I thoroughly abused. Only issues were the exhaust falling apart, the front calipers seizing and various oil seals leaking in the power train, all fairly common. It was getting rusty too in the usual places and starting to come through into the rear door shuts in the bottom rear corner. Oh yes, also the rear wiper stopped working after getting progressively slower. The shaft to the wiper arm got rusty. Disassembled the whole thing gave it a rub down, regreased and reassembled.Edited by Oldandslow on Monday 26th February 22:32
Thank you all, I'm fairly pleased with it. I love the colour, just trying to stop myself from buying some gold alloys to match the blue colour...
Currently pricing up the oils I need to change. I've bought the engine oil easily enough, but I'm struggling with trying to work out what the best gearbox and diff oil to use on these cars is? Also I'm not sure how much fluid is required by the gearbox and the rear diff?
Currently pricing up the oils I need to change. I've bought the engine oil easily enough, but I'm struggling with trying to work out what the best gearbox and diff oil to use on these cars is? Also I'm not sure how much fluid is required by the gearbox and the rear diff?
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