back from the garage, this is what they wrote...

coondogg

coondogg

New member
So, I just got back from the garage after getting an over-all inspection of my new (to me) 02 OBS. Most went as expected but here is their list of suggestions and repairs needed:

Almost standard (and I agree) replacement of all the fluids and filters.

Brakes are great.

Tires are great.

Battery (although new) is reported to have "marginal" CCA.

Struts being the most obvious and I've been working on sourcing a new set.

Both belts and a A/C tensioner (no A/C belt on the car, possible compressor issues?)

I noticed when I left this morning that my drivers side high beam was out but I already picked up a new bulb for it.

Timing belt age is unknown and on my list along with a new water pump

Clutch is slipping. I haven't noticed any slipping except when I tried a 3k dump in the snow. The clutch was the only thing that lost traction...
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CEL is a po447 code: evap vent solenoid. Rescheduled an appointment to diagnose and repair.

Head Gaskets. The left head is leaking but not major. Will plan replacement when I pull the motor for the clutch/timing belt/water pump.

Front Sub-Frame has some rust holes up front just behind the radiator. Rear sub-frame is okay...

Sooo, over all I'm pretty happy with the inspection and the car is happy for now with just an oil change. The immediate issues required to pass inspection are the struts and the front sub-frame. I've been looking to find a set of WRX struts and hope to score a set soon. I started to call around to see if I can source one from a salvage yard and also checked with Evergreen. New is just a waste of money to me at over $300 so I hope to find a used one in good condition...

 
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It is soft in a couple spots and two holes up in front just behind the rad on the outsides. I don't even call it a subframe, to me it looks like a brace. Made 13 calls to local yards trying to source one. Nothing confirmed yet but on the list for call backs from 5 of them. I was able to find out that the subframe is the same on 02-07 but anyone know about earlier years?

 
I agree and we discussed that option but I'd think that the cost for repair could run almost as much if not more than a quality used replacement due to the soft spots. Also I think that repair would only be a temp fix. Rust is a bugger, the damage has already been done and will continue to spread after being repaired.

 
guess it all depends on what they would charge you. i probably wouldnt charge a ton for plating a few holes on a subframe

 
I've been researching the "brace" since you mentioned that the earlier Impreza's didn't even have it as to whether it would even matter if it is "rusting" for Maine inspection. I called back my shop (which is in NH) and they stated to me that regardless of it being a brace or not, they can not pass the car in NH with the condition of the "brace" as it currently sits. I guess my question is, would it even matter in Maine...? Guess I get the struts and CEL fixed and find out...
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I noticed one thing that the garage missed: The belt from the A/C cut into the timing belt cover when the idler pully shredded. I'm just going to goop it up for now till I change out the timing belt...

 
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you can cut out a big enough section and weld in a new plate and it should be just fine......im sure mike can save you a ton of cash.

 
Take it off to pass inspection and fix it in the meantime... Thing with maine inspection is, if it's there, it has to be in good shape. If you take it off you're good. If you have a broken fog light you'll fail, if you take it off and leave a hole, you'll pass. I failed for a disconnected front sway bar, but passed with the front sway bar completely removed.

Same idea with the struts, if you just take them off you should be fine, they'll never know
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that is not necessarily true. if the car was originally equipped with fogs, and theres a switch for them, it fails if they are not in place. same goes for say a rear wiper. just because its not there doesn't make it exempt. theres a switch for it, so it has to be functional... as for a front sway bar, id never sticker a car with the front sway bar missing.....

 
that's because theres so many inspectors that dont follow the law exactly as its written or you get some dumb inspector that doesn't give two poops about the vehicle being safe and only wants the 15.50-18.50..in the end its about safety.....,ive passed trucks with fogs removed if one is smashed, you dont need fogs...not a safety item.....missing a sway bar completly is a safety issue....its there for a reason.

 
He gave me a blue sticker and I gave him the 12 bucks. So I'm a happy customer...

 
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