U.S. Emission Vehicles - European Operation
87subaru111-27-87 NUMBER
DATE 05-15-87
APPLICABILITY
ALL 1987 SUBARU VEHICLES
SUBJECT: OPERATION OF U.S. EMISSION SPECIFICATION VEHICLES IN EUROPE AND THEIR RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
This Service Bulletin is being supplied as supplemental information to Service Bulletin Number 11-19-84, dated 04-02-84. Found in 1980 - 83 Driving Performance TSB`s.
CHART 1:
Due to the increased availability of unleaded fuel in many European countries, we strongly recommend that all U.S. Specification Subaru vehicles be taken to Europe AS IS and operated on unleaded fuel ONLY. (Optional non-catalytic exhaust pipe part numbers are provided in Chart 1 on the reverse side of this page for all 1987 Subaru models. These exhaust pipes are not available in the United States and can be obtained through the European dealer.)
NOTE: TURBO/MPFI VEHICLES SHOULD BE OPERATED ON UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
However, should unleaded fuel still be unavailable in the European country in which the U.S. specification Subaru vehicle is being operated, some modifications of the vehicle are required upon its arrival and again upon its return to the United States. We recommend, upon arrival, the replacement of the restricted fuel filler pipe in order to use leaded fuel in the vehicle. The customer should take the vehicle to a local Subaru dealer and have an unrestricted fuel filler pipe installed. (The unrestricted fuel filler pipe is not available in the U.S. See Chart 1 for applicable part numbers.) The vehicle owner should keep the original restricted fuel filler pipe for reinstallation prior to bringing the car back to the U.S.
In addition to the normal scheduled maintenance required every 15,000 miles on all 1987 Subaru models as listed in the applicable Subaru Owner's Manual, the exhaust systems must be inspected every 7,500 miles if the vehicle is operated on leaded fuels.
Also, the vehicle should not be continually driven at high speeds of 90 mph and over. We recommend that all applicable speed limits be observed at all times.
CHART 2:
Upon return of any U.S. specification vehicle to the U.S., the owner is required to ensure that the vehicle meets U.S. emissions specifications. The modification procedures are outlined in Chart 2.
CHART 1:
NOTE: The above non-catalyst exhaust pipes are NOT available in the U.S.
CHART 2:
The service items required to be performed when a 1987 Model Year U.S. Specification Subaru vehicle is returned to the United States are outlined below:
* Oxygen sensor and rear exhaust pipe replacement is not necessary on 49- State Federal carbureted 4 WD, 4 DR., Station Wagon, 3 Door Coupe and carryover models Hatchback and BRAT.
NOTE: a) Vehicle driveability and performance are dependent on available fuel octane rating and quality. Recommended octane requirements are provided on page 3 of the 1987 MY Subaru Owner Manual. In addition, we recommended the usage of fuels with adequate detergency.
b) Upon reimportation, the original restricted fuel pipe MUST be re-installed or replaced with a new assembly.
c) Catalytic converter and oxygen sensor replacement are required upon return of a 1987 MY U.S. Specification Subaru vehicle to the United States. Current EPA policy does NOT permit the usage of aftermarket catalytic converters for replacement purposes, even if the vehicle is beyond 5 years or 50,000. (This statement supercedes the information provided in note G of Service Bulletin 11-26-86, dated 09-16- 86.)
d) TURBO/MPFI VEHICLES SHOULD BE OPERATED ON UNLEADED FUELS ONLY. EUROPEAN OPERATION IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
e) WARRANTY INFORMATION
The cost of modifications are NOT reimbursable under the terms of the Subaru Limited Warranty. Furthermore, the Subaru Limited Warranty clearly indicates on page 3 of the 1987 Subaru Warranty and Service Booklet that a vehicle must be taken to an authorized Subaru dealer in the United States for warranty repairs. Subaru of America operates only in the United States and cannot provide warranty coverage for vehicles unless they are repaired by authorized Subaru dealers in the United States.