awesomeusername

Hey guys! I'm new here and picked myself up a 1998 Forester L with a 5 speed trans. The previous owner's a Subaru guy and used this as his DD. I intend to continue this. Overall, it's in good condition for a Midwest car. Very little rust, interior is in good shape.

As far ask I know, here's what's been done to it:
KYB G2 Shocks all around
WRX stock springs
WRX Wheels with no-name rubber
Yakima Roof Basket
JDM Short Shifter (Not installed yet)
GrimmSpeed Master Cylinder Brace
Newer clutch, HG, brakes

Other than that it's stock

Here's what I've done over the past two days since I've owned it:

* Replaced burnt out bulbs behind the climate control unit (Sylvania Long-Life Minibulbs 74 @ $5 for pair)
* Replaced license plate bulbs for rear (sorry didn't catch what kind, but got them at Advanced Auto Parts)
* Shampoo'd seats
* Cleaned interior with a lot of cleaner and Armor-all
* Replace air filter with cheapo Purolator unit for $9

Pending issues:

* Check engine light is on because it's misfiring in cylinder #3. Gonna buy some new plugs and wires in the next few days and hope it clears things up
-- FIXED -- Changed #3 plug; small amount of coolant in the cylinder :(
* Air bag light is on. Not looking forward to delving into this one, but it's gotta be done
-- FIXED -- Changed clockspring with used unit
* Clock doesn't work. This seems to be quite common
-- FIXED -- Got it resoldered
* Need to replace RF inner CV boot and wheel bearing
* Need "B" on rear Subaru emblem
-- FIXED -- Got it used
* Fix cracked right turn signal lens and tail lens
-- FIXED -- Got them used
* Patch up rust
* Right-rear wheel bearing
* AC pump support bracket missing
* Minor oil leak from front of engine oil pump area
* Oil and filter change, LOL
-- FIXED --
* Need to fix a few small things here and there



Pic of three Fozzies. The green one in the back is our first one. 2004 XS Auto. The one in the red is some stranger's in front of convenience Auto in Ann Arbor.



Anyway, looking forward to being a member.

Masticator

If you know how to solder, take care of that clock. What happens is that the SMD resistors on the clock board come loose. All you have to do is resolder them on and voila.

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1998 Forester S
4EATmydust

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

Yeah, I would have done that, but the previous owner tried already and the solder job doesn't look too clean. Rather than try to fix what he did and risk messing anything up, I'm shipping it out to a guy that will do it shipped back for $10. Plus I don't have a soldering iron so this will be the cheaper way to go. Thanks for the heads up though.

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

More pics of my two Fozzies:

Masticator

Hey, i've got that same rust in the rear fender well :)

you wouldn't happen to have rust on the other side, too, would ya?

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1998 Forester S
4EATmydust

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

It's funny, I guess they did a better job at weatherizing the other side because I can't see any. I'm sure that it's starting to form though, just haven't given it a closer look. I'm hoping to get the rust fixed and weatherized before the harsh Michigan winter starts again.

Bereno

Hey, nice car! Looks good. Sounds like a fun project car as well.

ferret

Welcome ... have a 98 I recently acquired a 98 for our daughter.

Airbag light is probably the clockspring ..... common on the 98 and 99

Oil leak is either the front main seal or the small screws on the rear of the oil pump. Both common also. Means removing the timing belt to get to the oil pump, then it comes off easily. Many writeups on the net so I don't need to go into it here.

Looks nice ...... best of luck .... with proper care will last many miles.

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04XSPP, 98S (8 Subaru's since 1978, 7 were 5 sp) ILuvSubaru's

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

Thanks a mil for the heads up! I have about a month to do work on this before the little one takes all my time...Then I have a little more than a month after that before I start work full time, so I have to get started as soon as I can! Taking to the shop tomorrow to get the cylinder misfire fixed--just don't want to deal with possibly replacing the plugs, wires, coilpack, valve readjustment, etc. Will update findings tomorrow.

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98 L 5MT Acadia Green
04 XS AT Woodland Green

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

Yeah, that's kind of the idea. Parts are easy to come by and can be swapped out for other soobie parts. My goal is to get this thing past 250K. It's at 150K now. With care and maintenance I'm hoping it'll survive!

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98 L 5MT Acadia Green
04 XS AT Woodland Green

Bereno

It should! I just bought one that has 255K on the chassis. I'm hoping to get 400K out of it. Well see! haha

I'm interested to see how it goes for you. Subscribed

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

Thanks man! It's my first "fun" car since 2004 so I'm excited. As a matter of fact, this is my first manual car since 1998... It feels so good to have control of the tranny again!

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98 L 5MT Acadia Green
04 XS AT Woodland Green

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

Well, got it checked out by a local shop and... coolant in cylinder #4!! Coolant was fouling the plug, hence the misfire in #4. Not enough that it needs an HG job now, but enough to have to watch the temp and coolant level like a hawk. Sucks...I took a risk buying this thing and now I'm paying. Now both of my Fozzies have a slow coolant leak. Hopefully I can wait till next tax season and knock them both out. Downtime is supposed to be weeks and not days though, so not sure how I'll get to work.

Also took it to get an oil change at Uncle Ed's Oil Shoppe. Damn, I was raped there. I opted for higher mileage oil, standard oil filter, and oil additive to remove gunk in the engine and the bill came out to $85! Had I had the space to do it myself, I would have. I'll be moved into my house next month with my very own garage (first for me) so NEVER AGAIN! I'm thinking I'll tackle the airbag coil next--those things seem to come in handy when your head is flying into the dash at 40mph :).


Plug alert:
Oh yeah, if you're near Ann Arbor and need work done on your soob, this place is uber legit: http://www.convenienceauto.com/. The owners are master Subaru techs so they know 'em like the bank of their hands. I had $90 credit from a previous inspection and they called it even with a $120 bill I had to fix the misfire. Very honest and professional.

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98 L 5MT Acadia Green
04 XS AT Woodland Green

Bereno

bummer... sorry man!

awesomeusername

Thread Starter

Was at Trader Joe's Supermarket in Ann Arbor. Silly Corolla. Ann Arbor sure does lover their Soobiez. The red one was also missing the "B" in "SUBARU." I'm guessing this is a common problem on the SFs?

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98 L 5MT Acadia Green
04 XS AT Woodland Green