Subaru engine

MossRoad · May 30, 2006

7 sisters /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · May 30, 2006

7 sisters /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

GaryM · May 31, 2006

My wife and I are on Subaru number four. We've had a '81 wagon, a '86 turbocharged sedan, a '91 turbocharged wagon, and now a '94 turbocharged wagon. My wife's always liked the wagons best.

None have ever been much trouble, and I'd buy another, but the '94 wagon only has 56K on the odometer.

In general Subaru's gas mileage ratings have never been the best.

GaryM · May 31, 2006

My wife and I are on Subaru number four. We've had a '81 wagon, a '86 turbocharged sedan, a '91 turbocharged wagon, and now a '94 turbocharged wagon. My wife's always liked the wagons best.

None have ever been much trouble, and I'd buy another, but the '94 wagon only has 56K on the odometer.

In general Subaru's gas mileage ratings have never been the best.

RobertN · May 31, 2006

Is the gas mileage related to the AWD? Is it full time AWD, or can you switch it to 2wd for fair weather driving?

RobertN · May 31, 2006

Is the gas mileage related to the AWD? Is it full time AWD, or can you switch it to 2wd for fair weather driving?

EddieWalker · May 31, 2006

For years my Parents had a Subaru wagon for their tow vehicle behind their RV. They paid $1,000 for it and woudl travel for several months at a time. Then when at home, they'd use it for their runaround vehicle.

They never had a problem with it and I had no idea it was a flat engine. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It just ran and ran.

Then one day they got the idea to buy a brand new Explorerer and sold the subaru for what they paid for it.

The Subaru never gave them any problems, but the Explorer sure has!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Eddie

EddieWalker · May 31, 2006

For years my Parents had a Subaru wagon for their tow vehicle behind their RV. They paid $1,000 for it and woudl travel for several months at a time. Then when at home, they'd use it for their runaround vehicle.

They never had a problem with it and I had no idea it was a flat engine. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It just ran and ran.

Then one day they got the idea to buy a brand new Explorerer and sold the subaru for what they paid for it.

The Subaru never gave them any problems, but the Explorer sure has!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Eddie

GaryM · May 31, 2006

All the Subarus I've ever seen were AWD. There's a power split device between the front and rear drive shafts. In my models, 10 years old, it sends 90% of the power to the front and 10% to the rear. If the front starts to slip, the power is redistributed 50-50.

Newer models may operate a little differently.

BTW, the Subaru was the first car that I know of that eliminated the distributor. Four cylinders and two coils with two wires from each coil to a sparkplug. Two cylinders would fire at once. One on the compression stroke and the other on the exhaust stroke. Fewer parts! I think several manufacturers use that system now.

GaryM · May 31, 2006

All the Subarus I've ever seen were AWD. There's a power split device between the front and rear drive shafts. In my models, 10 years old, it sends 90% of the power to the front and 10% to the rear. If the front starts to slip, the power is redistributed 50-50.

Newer models may operate a little differently.

BTW, the Subaru was the first car that I know of that eliminated the distributor. Four cylinders and two coils with two wires from each coil to a sparkplug. Two cylinders would fire at once. One on the compression stroke and the other on the exhaust stroke. Fewer parts! I think several manufacturers use that system now.

flwiii · May 31, 2006

I haven't owned a Subaru in quite a few years, but they were some of the longest lasting cars I have owned. I bought my first one in 1972, new, when they looked like square boxes. Paid $1700 for it. Drove it for 10 years, gave it to my brother in 1982. Bought 2 in 1982, one 1973 used for $800.00 and a used 1972 for $600.00. Drove both of those cars, one for the wife, for another 10 years and never ever had to do anything to them other than change the oil and a tune up. Excellent little 4-Banger.

flwiii · May 31, 2006

I haven't owned a Subaru in quite a few years, but they were some of the longest lasting cars I have owned. I bought my first one in 1972, new, when they looked like square boxes. Paid $1700 for it. Drove it for 10 years, gave it to my brother in 1982. Bought 2 in 1982, one 1973 used for $800.00 and a used 1972 for $600.00. Drove both of those cars, one for the wife, for another 10 years and never ever had to do anything to them other than change the oil and a tune up. Excellent little 4-Banger.

midlf · May 31, 2006

Model T's did not have a distributor. One coil for each plug. Very few things on cars these days are truly new. Most have been used before and are just being reapplied. I don't know specifics but I would be willing to bet Subie's were not the first to utilize a wasted spark system.

midlf · May 31, 2006

Model T's did not have a distributor. One coil for each plug. Very few things on cars these days are truly new. Most have been used before and are just being reapplied. I don't know specifics but I would be willing to bet Subie's were not the first to utilize a wasted spark system.

RobertN · May 31, 2006

My Harley fires both plugs at once, common coil. One is on compression, one is on exhaust.

RobertN · May 31, 2006

My Harley fires both plugs at once, common coil. One is on compression, one is on exhaust.

California · May 31, 2006

( Is the gas mileage related to the AWD?)
Apparently. Like a WWII Jeep, the un-needed axle turns at road speed all the time.

( Is it full time AWD, or can you switch it to 2wd for fair weather driving?)
The ordinary A/T model is what I'm familiar with. Its a FWD car with a clutch pack claimed to provide 15% torque to the rear axle continually. (until slip is sensed).This can't be ideal for efficiency.

When the going gets slippery, however, is where the little rig tears off its shirt and reveals the Superman side of its personality. It is impossible to spin a front tire until there is so much torque applied that traction is broken at the rear as well.

Mild offroad, same thing. I've noticed down in the back of the orchard if the weight is on two diagonally opposite tires and one front wheel starts to spin getting started up the grade (disked, uneven soft ground), that front wheel can't turn even an inch before the front/rear clutch is engaged solid and we start moving without drama. You never feel it, it's engaged before you sense it. Same thing at road speeds.

Attached photo: I was packing down earth at a washout (on a steep downgrade) when my fill gave way - leaving the tire dangling over space. I stuck a limb under the tire and forced it up, then put that rock back under it. That loaded enough weight onto the diagonal back tire that I simply backed up out of the hole without wheelspin. I bought the A/T specifically because you can make a gentle start offroad, sort of an imitation low range. This would have been impossible with the MT version.

Sorry for going on and on here. I really like my Subaru. Seventh 4x4 I've owned and I'm still amazed what it can do.

California · May 31, 2006

( Is the gas mileage related to the AWD?)
Apparently. Like a WWII Jeep, the un-needed axle turns at road speed all the time.

( Is it full time AWD, or can you switch it to 2wd for fair weather driving?)
The ordinary A/T model is what I'm familiar with. Its a FWD car with a clutch pack claimed to provide 15% torque to the rear axle continually. (until slip is sensed).This can't be ideal for efficiency.

When the going gets slippery, however, is where the little rig tears off its shirt and reveals the Superman side of its personality. It is impossible to spin a front tire until there is so much torque applied that traction is broken at the rear as well.

Mild offroad, same thing. I've noticed down in the back of the orchard if the weight is on two diagonally opposite tires and one front wheel starts to spin getting started up the grade (disked, uneven soft ground), that front wheel can't turn even an inch before the front/rear clutch is engaged solid and we start moving without drama. You never feel it, it's engaged before you sense it. Same thing at road speeds.

Attached photo: I was packing down earth at a washout (on a steep downgrade) when my fill gave way - leaving the tire dangling over space. I stuck a limb under the tire and forced it up, then put that rock back under it. That loaded enough weight onto the diagonal back tire that I simply backed up out of the hole without wheelspin. I bought the A/T specifically because you can make a gentle start offroad, sort of an imitation low range. This would have been impossible with the MT version.

Sorry for going on and on here. I really like my Subaru. Seventh 4x4 I've owned and I'm still amazed what it can do.