Rust in my gas!

Today I finally got a change to return to Automotive Gas Systems in Portadown to see what was wrong with my autoGas conversion on the impreza.

After spending a while looking at it they discovered rust residue in two of the solenoids. They asked where I got my gas, as they said this can happen when people fill it from home gas tanks. I assured them that all the gas I got came from the two local Texaco garages in Coleraine.

Well, anyway, they replaced the two valves, and reset the ECU so we were on our way.

The ECU reset means we need another trip back, as the automatic learning program has to start again. Let's hope it goes better this time!

Rocker cover gasket

About three weeks after I fixed the last oil leak from the crankshaft a new oil leak appeared in my car. This time it was the rocker cover gasket.

The rocker cover gasket in something like a nova, which is probably the last one I have replaced, is a simple job, as the camshaft is at the top of the engine, and it takes about 10 minutes.

The impreza is not so simple, as with a box engine the camshafts are down at the side. So I stripped back the airbox, and the boost solenoid assembly to give me space and eventually managed to get the six bolts and cover off. It took ages to clean the seal as the old rubber gasket had disintegrated and stuck itself all over the place.

Placing the new gasket, and getting the cover back on was a breeze, and I then screwed everything back together, and as always was pleased when I turned the key and heard the engine start. Now all that remains to be seen is if the oil leak has actually gone, and if that is the last one!

Car fuel pump

This morning on my way into work the impreza started to stutter a bit, losing power at higher revs. Then as I continued the power dropped until as I was coasting into the car park at work there was almost no power at all.

I tried the car at tea break time and it wouldn't even start. So we got the toolbox out to do some basic checks, and found that there was no petrol getting to the front of the car, indicating a problem with the fuel pump.

After finding this article on the interweb we managed to locate the fuel pump, and see that it was not pumping at all.

Needing a new fuel pump, knowing the prices Subaru dealers charge, I called Eddie Torrens, the car breaker, and he said he would sort me out with one for £70. As the close of the business day was approaching I swiftly sent my better half to reluctantly visit Mr Torrens.

Fortunately I had taken the precaution to send her a picture of what it was I was looking for, as upon arrival she was apparently presented with a fuel pump for something entirely different, and so was able to say it wasn't the correct part. After dissecting another car they managed to get one.

About two hours later they arrived at my work and we inserted the new one, and the car started first time. What a relief.

So, thanks to Mr keita from the forum for taking the time to provide me with step by step instructions! Most helpful!

Tax book

The tax book for the car actually arrived today. So now its officially in my name, even if it is to the wrong address. That'll be the next step ;)

Beach fun

Tonight we had some time to kill, so we decided to visit the beach. It was completely empty, and all semi-hard, wet sand. So I let the impreza go, and boy it was some serious fun.

Did the whole thing in second, which was a bit weird, as I had to be over the 2500 rpm to get the turbo. It was a completely different experience than I had been expecting - I'd been expecting to go round in circles, but there's just too much grip for that, even in the sand.

Great.

Tax

At last I have a tax disc. We had to jump through some hoops to get this disc, but the car is finally registered in my name, and I have a valid tax disc.

Today I have insurance, MOT and tax. Great!

Thanks to the hideous brother-in-law for getting it all sorted for me!

Sideways - dry

Only very slight drifting, but definitely a landmark. Tonight on the way home I had an opportunity to overtake nicely round a roundabout, as someone went off right. In second I floored it, and felt the tail go slightly before I had to turn to exit the roundabout.

Very reassuring, the amount of grip available

Boot and numberplate lights

Today I tackled the problem with the rusted rear numberplate lights. The plate that holds them tight to the underside of the bumper had completely rusted away at one side.

I had considered getting some sort of new plate and screwing it all together, but I figured out that if I used the original 2 plastic mounting holes that were now unused because of the rust, I could cable-tie the remaining metal to the bumper.

It's not very beautiful, and certainly temporary at best, but it's definitely a lot better than it was!

When I had the boot open for access I noticed that the light in the boot wasn't working at all. After inspecting the bulb I saw that it wasn't the problem, so I turned to the switch. It seems that corrosion had stopped the switch from closing properly. So I pulled the switch out, and gave the contacts a good clean. All working again!