1986 Subaru GL Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1986 Subaru GL covers four gasoline flat-four engines, four body styles and two trims. The engines are a 1.6L and a 1.8L with overhead valves, and a 1.8L single overhead cam unit in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form. Buyers chose among a 2-door hatchback, a 3-door coupe, a 4-door sedan and a 4-door wagon, in Base or Turbo trim. Procedures, specifications, torque values and wiring diagrams are given for the engine, fuel, ignition, cooling, transmission, brakes, suspension and electrical systems.

Engines covered

• 1.6L flat-four — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 1.8L flat-four — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 1.8L flat-four — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 1.8L flat-four — SOHC, turbocharged, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 3-door coupe
• 4-door sedan
• 4-door wagon
• 2-door hatchback

Trims covered

• Base
• Turbo

Known issues on the 1986 GL. The federal record lists 2 recalls for the 1986 GL, and both concern rust in the same place. On certain 1986 GL vehicles, winter road salt can corrode the inner arms of the rear suspension badly enough to affect handling and control; one of the two campaigns was limited to front-wheel-drive cars. The fix was rustproofing or, where needed, replacing those arms. Owners lodged 14 complaints, with suspension (5) and seat belts (3) at the top, and 1 complaint reported a crash while 1 reported a fire. The suspension procedures, specifications and torque values in this manual apply directly to that area.