90 EA81 problems

brumby beginner · Post by **brumby beginner** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:37 pm

As suggested, 1990 Brumby, with EA81 engine.

1. When starting, sometimes sounds like starter motor is still engaged. Sound doesn't last long but sounds sick as.

2. As I think I have seen mentioned a couple of times, when starting up, have to let idle for 15 - 20 secs before even think about touching accelerator. Boggs down and stalls.

3. Horrible ticking noise in RH rocker cover (I think). Hard to fix???

4. Exhaust type sound out of LH rocker cover. Pulled the tube off the top of the rocker cover for a very brief moment as I could hear this weird sound in the air cleaner box. Sounds sort of like exhaust gases gurgling through a liquid. (When I say exhaust gases, the rythm of the noise is like an exhaust with a slow idle speed)

5. Oil leaks..............

6. Suspension feels rock solid. When I go up my drive way, sounds and feels like I have just driven 20 kph into a kerb.

thats it for now ( I HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:39 pm

pull ya starter out and try using jumper leads from battery to duplicate starting, see if you can see it not returning pinion _little drive cog_ as soon as power is off. Do this safely with strong foot on starter so it no go anywhere and keep fingers clear

bogs down every time you start or just when cold, cooled or hot?

if hydraulic lifters as I suspect in 90 model, it may ahve pooped itself or gunged up. Subaru do not have listings for hydraulic lifters in Australia and looks like you can't buy them new. Check tappet clearances or for broken bits behind rocker cover. anew gasket is about eight bucks

exhaust sound ?? pvc ??

oil leaks..wash engine thoroughly and report back

check tyre pressures...ounce body by hand and compare to other cars

brumby beginner · Post by **brumby beginner** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:08 pm

cheers for the help jono.
Will hopefully have enough time this aus day weekend.
Wife's bday might get in the way though.

was going to change rocker cover gaskets this wkend anyway and do a complete fluid (engine, trans, both diffs, coolant {maybe}) change.
If I am game enough will do the starter motor. Could this possibly be a problem with the ignition not moving to the on position fast enough. It is fairly worn. In line with this, is it a big job to replace ignition and where would I source said parts. Would obviously want to include door and fuel cover locks aswell. Have heard there are suicide bolts as part of an ignition.

Another question, sounds like there might also be a leak in the exhaust. Would it be hard to remove exhaust, inspect, repair and replace exhaust or just better to get a new one?

Yet another q, would it be hard to fit a 5 speed gearbox to this motor. If not, what would you suggest. Could find the cash but don't exactly have it to throw around.
Anyone out there willing to fund either a complete rebuild OR EJ20T exchange (with all the associated trimmings) let me know.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:56 pm

With the ignition, you can unscrew "the switch" part out of the back of the key, lock part and just replace that(2 little philips head screws) or change the barrels over.

The barrels on subi are very easy to re-cut, a little bit of playing around and you should be able to do it worse case if you have to go to a new ignition.

And point 3 sounds like noisy tappets. The clearances you want are 0.23mm for the inlet and 0.33mm 0.33mm for the exhaust. Also valves go, looking from radiator back, Inlet, Exhaust, Exhaust, Inlet.

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:08 pm

>>Yet another q, would it be hard to fit a 5 speed gearbox to this motor. If not, what would you suggest. Could find the cash but don't exactly have it to throw around.

It's not quite a drop-in operation, but fairly straightforward. Lots of info on http://www.ultimatesubaru.org under Older Generation. You need to match final-drive ratio to your existing - 3.7 or 3.9 (ratio for your car can be found on the back of the diff - little silver sticker). I think the 3.7 was mostly found on Turbo L-series, which aren't real common here afaik. The 5 speed ratios are a bit better than the 4 speed between 3rd and 4th - which is a pretty big hole for the EA81 to fill when stock

L-series boxes can be picked up for around $100, you'll need to either use an L-series driveshaft (2 piece instead of the MY 1 piece, so it needs a support bracket), or have a longer single piece driveshaft made up (couple hundred dollars there).

If you go with an EJ motor, either short or long term, you'll need to use an L-series box anyway (with an adaptor), as the MY box isn't very strong.

Dean.

mandogbrumby · Post by **mandogbrumby** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:36 pm

My 89 Brumby makes lots of what I'd describe as "tappety noises". Ever since I bought it I've been listening to other EA81 engines and they all sound the same. Speaking to a Subaru mechanic, he said it was typical of the engine. I saw an ad a while ago for a rebuild kit for the engine but buggered if I can find it again.
Oil leaks are par for the course I think on older engines. Failing pulling them out, renewing every gasket, it will leak oil. Just be ready to have it reco'd when you need to. Put money aside every pay and leave it there. That way you won't be caught short.
Love the idea of a 5 speed box as well, but I think Subaru did quite well with the gearing. Last weekend I drove out to Kyneton (around 100k outside of Melbourne). Due to headwind on the way out was struggling to maintain 90 with foot flat to the floor. On the way back, barely trying I found I was at 135k's with not a lot of interior noise. I've come from driving minis where 110k sounds like you're inside a cement mixer and the noise in the Brumby was quite tolerable.
Now, if anyone can tell me where I can get the engine rebuild kit from I'd be much obliged

dwayneb · Post by **dwayneb** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:59 am

[. I saw an ad a while ago for a rebuild kit for the engine but buggered if I can find it again.
Oil leaks are par for the course I think on older engines. Failing pulling them out, renewing every gasket, it will leak oil. Just be ready to have it reco'd when you need to. Now, if anyone can tell me where I can get the engine rebuild kit from I'd be much obliged[/quote]

contact lightning silver rx, he got me a full rebuild kit for an EA81

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:34 pm

look in technical section gearboxes i think. i wrote up all my thoughts , findings to fit 5 speed into my Brumby. Had loads of info help from all in here, some of it differing from others for reasons being not all stuff same when talking 5 speeds. it will fit and be bloody worth it !!

brumby beginner · Post by **brumby beginner** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:12 pm

I replaced the rocker cover gaskets, did an engine oil change, transmission oil change and at the moment, I cant see any new oil leaks on my driveway.

Did a quick degrease of the engine and under the bottom but haven't had a chance to get under there and have a real good look again. Here is hoping I have fixed the oil leak problem. Will do another degrease, hopefully next weekend and then should be able to see if any there.