1993 Subaru Loyale Front Wheel Drive Wagon from North America - Comments

Leaks oil, don't really need to do oil changes.

Ticks and rattles when accelerating.

Exhaust leaks at engine.

Automatic trans revs high at highway speeds. Blows a big puff of smoke roughly every 1000km for no apparent reason.

Engine light has been on since I bought the tank.

Alternator replaced at 215000km.

I have owned a lot of cars, I have never had one with this many problems and still just keeps going without complaint.

I bought the car as a second "grocery" car in aid to running the tires off our 2000 Honda civic. 800 bucks and a windshield later I was on the road. I didn't expect the car to make it this far, I must admit it has grown on me to a point I want to find another just like it, but new!

The transmission is an animal like no other. The fact it runs at 4200 rpm at 120km per hour is outrageous, and the dealer says that's normal?, well after a year of driving I can say they are right.

I am in the market for another!

Dear... Let me explain why that Loyale engine ticks too much:

The EA82 Engine, is one state of the art engine, that never needs to calibrate its valves, due to the use of hydraulic lifters, but with time, the engine´s oil pump, loses its ability to pump with strength, so the hydraulic lifters become noisy...

The medicine to this is too easy & cheap: Just change the oil pump core. Buy the "Oil Pump Kit" at the dealer... that´s all.

A minor repair, considering that the oil pump is very easy to reach: it's located in front of the engine, just remove the left timing belt cover.

Due to the fact the the EA82 uses two timing belts, that need to be replaced at at least 60,000 KMS... I strongly suggest to change them along with the oil pump kit, and your car will become as quiet as new.

I am mechanic, working since 1985 on Subies, so I really know what I'm talking about... So change that and you´ll love to keep the car.

Good luck! :)

I have the same "ticking" problem. How hard is it to change the oil pump?

Like all work on subarus its dirt easy.

The ticking is either gunk in the lifter (s) which can be taken care of by adding SeaFoam or other engine oil additive cleaner in the oil. But most likely it's the oil pump gasket, or o-ring between the oil pump and the engine case. It flattens and hardens over time. Oil may not leak out, but air will be sucked in by the oil pump and put are bublles in the oil. These air bubbles collect in the lifters and keep them from pumping up. But, to replace the o-ring you must remove the oil pump. So, your better off replacing the pump. Which requires the removal of, or allows better access to, the timing belts and tensioners, water pump, and cam seals. Replace them all and your little Soobie will last a long time. usmb.org.

I know that ticking problem well. I bought a '93 Loyale wagon nearly 3 years ago and my mechanic said not to put too much money into it, but it still runs strong. I had an '80 1600 DL-5 that got ruined with Hurricane Katrina down here in New Orleans and the Loyale picked up where the little 1600 left off. I love the car.