A bl**dy close call!

taza

taza

Forum Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2010
Messages
3,820
Location
Perth, Western Australia
I think this is the right spot for this topic.

The past 3 times I have been offroading I have smelt a burning smell. I know its not the clutch as I know what that smells like and havnt burnt it enough to smell it in ages. I can only smell it when im working the car, pushing it hard. Like 3500+rpm. But even if its only for 1 or 2 mins. In the past I have been able to push her through soft sand at 4500rpm for a good 10mins without any issues. The temp guage does not budge nor is there any check engine lights.
Today after work I removed my air filter box and it took me a good 10mins to find the tranny/front diff dip stick :lol: It was covered in sand and grease. The engine bay in now clean but after checking it I found that the oil hasnt been changed in 35,000km (even with all my hard offroading) and it was about 2mm below the Low mark. I almost freaked out. The coolant reserve tank is below the min mark and my engine oil is due for a change.

Tomorrow im changing all three :)
I plan on putting Shell helix Super 15W-40 in for my engine oil.
I have genuine Subaru coolant. I was thinking a 60\40mix. 60% coolant and 40% distilled water. Does that sound about right? I do live in a hot climate. In summer I get temps upto a good 45c degrees and in winter a absolute minimum of 0-5c degrees. Usually not much lower than 15 or 20c in winter though.

I know absolutely nothing about changing the tranny oil (this will be my first time ever). what oil should I get? Whats a good brand? in the manual it says GL-5 but what about viscosity wise?
My engines an EJ20 N/A

This will also be my first coolant change too but should be ok.

Some advice and recommendations would be excellent. I have learnt a good lesson, always keep up the services especially when you do lots of offroading. It could of turned out bad if I ignored it.
Thanks
Taza
 
Last edited:
Subaru coolant is not a concentrate- do not add water. Subaru manual gearboxes use a special oil- I use Castrol Multitrax in the 5 speed, and Castrol Syntrax in the 6 speed, although it can also be used in the 5 speed. But more expensive. Your engine can still be at risk. Engines have a way at getting back at being mistreated by seizing even though the old oil has been replaced. I saw a Honda Integra V Spec seize it's engine after only 21,000k's without oil change. If the oil is more like treacle when you change it then there are real risks, and if it smells pretty foul then that is not good either. The problem is that the oil has solidified and like cholesterol in your blood, it can choke the oil pick up. My other main concern is the timing belt. If the oil has been neglected has the timing belt? I'd also consider bleeding the brakes too. Sorry if that sounds pretty negative but unfortunately this is just how things are. I hope it goes well- please let us know And make sure when you change the coolant you purge the cooling system of air and do not allow air pockets to remain. This has been discussed previously on this site so do a search
 
make sure you have a way to put oil into the transmission as it can be a bit of a fiddle because the top up hole is in a ****ty position.
I use some clear tubing, a funnel and patience.
 
Sorry about that. The car has never missed a service. I usually do the engine oil every 5,000km but its done 8,000km so far. Recommended change in the manual every 12,500km. I would never ever do 21,00km without an oil change. The engine oil and engine are fine.The gearbox oil is recommended change every 50,000km in the book. It is fine just abit low and done around 30-35,000km. On the road its fine I have only noticed it a few times offroad when pushing the car hard. I have only smelt it 3 times at the most and not real strong.The coolant is just below the min mark in the reserve tank but other than that it was done just under 30,000km ago. I know the timing belt was done at 108,000km.

I have recently have done all the brake disks, pads, brake fluid, clutch fluid, master and slave cylinder replacement. It seemed just like the normal engine oil, not gluggy or too runny, just at the low mark.

I know its a sh*t place where the filling/dipstick is. I got to get a funnel and some tubing too.

Thanks for the advice guys.
 
Changed my front diff/gearbox oil today. Went with Castrol Multitrax 80W-90 and also did the rear diff too :biggrin: I have never done any kind of service on my car before. No oil changes/filters, anything. Only ever changed a tyre and removed bumpers, seats, interior, stereo, installed amp, etc... :biggrin: Did it with no issues. Im so proud of myself. lol. now I feel like a tool...
Doing the engine oil tomorrow after work and the coolant if I have time :ebiggrin:

I enjoyed doing it. When I went for a drive to give it abit of a run she almost felt like a new car... changed gears much smoother, the way they should. It was abit rough and jolty before. There were a few metal shavings in the bottom of the oil pan after and abit on the magnet so I know to take it easy on my gearbox. When I first got my car I was quite hard on it, shoving the gears and half using the clutch, also a few quite a few clutch dumps. I dont want to get a new tranny anytime soon so I will take more care of it.

Regards
Taza
 
Good to see you doing your oil changes at least you know what is going in the car:biggrin:.
But most impotently if your gearbox oil is down then there must be a leak some where:cry:. Have a good look around if it is loosing that much oil it's will be easy to see where it's coming from.
Another thing over fill the box so when you go offroad and are on a bit of an angle the oil will still reach where it should. We put at least 5mm over the top line on the dipstick.

Jan
 
Thanks Jan. I did over fill it abit. I want to do the maintenance on my car from now on. Firstly its cheaper (sick of paying $300-500 for my services). Secondly I enjoyed it and thirdly I can keep a better track of when things need my attention and can now afford to do them more frequent to accommodate for my offroad/heavy use on the old girl :biggrin:
She never came with a service history except the receipt from the major service where the timing belt and coolant were done. The previous owners husband looked after it.

I haven't noticed any leaks on the driveway... I did for a while have abit of one but that was due to part of bush stuck between my heat shields. Burning and dripping sap.

Regards
Taza
 
Did my coolant change today. Went well, no dramas. I used genuine Subaru Coolant, anti freeze, anti boil. It was green and said not to mix with water on the container. I had almost enough, just added probably 5% distilled water. Ran the engine for a good 5mins with the radiator cap off to get all the air out (tip by a friend).Doing engine oil after work tomorrow :)

Regards
Taza
 
I run the engine until the thermostat opens, re-fill and run again. I then check over the next few days in the morning just to be sure I have all the air purged.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top