Subaru Techs, help!!!!

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 7, 2005

Here is the scenario. 1995 Outback, 2.2L engine and automatic. 176K on the clock. No problem out of this car at all until yesterday. Use this car ever day on a 80 mile stop and go route. Wife pulled up to a box and it died. Tried to start and just crank. Turned key off and back to start and it started up, idled rough and then died again. Did this 3 times and the last time it started up, idled right and ran good the rest of the day. Throttle up with no problem, 5 to 6 K and even smooth shifting. Running A/C all day also. Now this AM, she is out on the route and about an hour into it, same thing. Just little hiccups. She could gas on it and it would take gas and go on, but come back to idle and it would like surge from idle to 3K and back to idle and then die. Brought her one of the vans to finish her route in. Let the car set for a few minutes and it started up and ran for about 10 minutes fine and then same thing. Well, thought maybe it might not be venting right so I took the gas cap loose and it had pressure on it as you could hear it coming out, don't know if it is suppose to do that, but it did so I left it loose and ran the car that way also to no avail, same problem. Let the car sit for about 30 minutes and started it up and drove it the 8 miles back home without a problem till about 1/2 mile from the house and then a small hiccup, but didn't die. Also I noticed under hard romping that at around 3K, you can hear a high pitch noise alomost like it's sucking air around a hose somewhere. Could this be what I am hearing and if so, could this cause the above problem? Now it sits here waiting on me to fix it. Please, anyone got any ideas that I could check/try? I hate these come and go problems. Need help/advice ASAP. Don't want her using the new CG on the route.

Thanks

DJ · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Also I noticed under hard romping that at around 3K, you can hear a high pitch noise alomost like it's sucking air around a hose somewhere. Could this be what I am hearing and if so, could this cause the above problem?

SBN, That very well could be an issue. A vacuum leak, especially in the EGR circuit, could cause those symptoms. If you can find the EGR valve, pull a vacuum on that circuit, and see if find a leak.

LubeDude · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

If I had to guess, [which I do], I would say fuel pump taking a dump. You will have to do a preasure test to find out.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Originally posted by LubeDude: If I had to guess, [which I do], I would say fuel pump taking a dump. You will have to do a preasure test to find out.

Thanks DJ. LD, I tormented this thing on the way home climbing up hills under hard throttle ups without a problem. It would seem to me if it were a weak/taking a dump fuel pump, it would show up under these conditions. IMO. I mean, I would go from a standing stop to full throttle, 6 to 7 K without the first hiccup. It sure has me puzzled.

SoulWinner · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

I think DJ has it nailed. Check the vacuum lines and the air intake hose. If there is air leaking into it between the mass airflow sensor and the throttle body it will cause that problem. Danged ole Japanese junk

dolluper · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Sort of sounds like the pump , do a look around under the hood like at your MAP sensor or MAF sensor that vac hoses haven't split or come off MAP= manifold absolute pressure hooked into EGR MAF= mass air flow on air breather IF it's not trowing out codes look at fuel system filter, pump Oh yeah don't forget about checking PCV valve

SoulWinner · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

You know, I worked on Supra once that was acting like this Subaru, and I WAS the fuel pump. It would run fine, then it would sputter around and die. The pump still works (I have it in the garage for some stupid reason) but it doesn't produce the PSI need to run the engine properly. That was fun changing the pump with a full tank of gas.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Thanks all. I did a look around under the hood this evening to make sure there were no broke/loose hoses. Also checked to make sure the throttle body was tight. It has a canister type filter mounted in the engine compartment and while it's running you can feel the fuel pulsing through it(lines), don't know if that is bad or good. Checked all electrical connections to make sure they were clean and tight. Will find out later this AM if I did anything to help it. All I did was dump in 2 bottles of STP injector cleaner(1 bottle treats 21 gallon

). Me thinks that will be plenty. Will let you know what happens. Oh yea, I told her not to put any gas in it just incase it's the pump.

I have not looked, but some of the Subaru's had a plate in the cargo/trunk area to remove to get to it, hope this one does.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 9, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Well, run like crap again so I replaced the filter and same results. Replaced the pump today so will find out if that was what it was.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 11, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Well, replaced the pump, man that was an easy one, and ran the car myself for about 2 hours without a glitch. Stop at a redlight and it died, just like you would turn the key off. Went to start it back and it would just crank. Tried again and it started and when put in gear, it would die. Did this 3 times and the third time it started and ran great the rest of the way home. Will be replacing the plugs and wires next and then the coil pack if they don't help. I told the wife that the car didn't like her anymore and I got "The Look". Everyone has had "The Look" before, so I will find this gremlin yet. Will keep ya posted.

SoulWinner · Jun 11, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Hey Lester, when you replaced he pump, did disconnect the battery? On some cars, well most cars these days, if you disconnect the battery or full the EFI fuse, it resets the computer. Then when you put it back together and drive it, it may run kind of odd for a while during the time the computer is adjusting from factory inputs to the real time inputs it receives from those sensors that monitor everything and control stuff like ignition timing, fuel delivery and stuff like that. Give it a day or two to sort it's self out.

byordy · Jun 23, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

I'm not familar with the Subaru, but that is a classic Idle Air Control Valve symptom. The valve begins to stick and will not adjust the idle air flow properly. Quite often the valve can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled and the problem will be resolved. If not then valve is not to expensive (at least not on a domestic car). Took me 20 minutes the last time it happened to my Lincoln. Bill....

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 23, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Mass Air Flow sensor was bad.

DJ · Jun 23, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

SBN, That makes sense. Take a close look at your air filtration system, especially if you operate on dirt roads. This may require a more frequent change. Pay CLOSE attention to the retaining clips/screws on the filter box. Subarus' "Harsh environment" maintenance schedule may be-enlightening. I would ONLY USE GENUINE parts. THERE IS A DIFFERENENCE. (CAP'S INTENDED) Dust not only affects the Mass Air Flow but also the idle air control cicuits (IAC), as mentioned. Dirt, in the engine is NOT good, as you know.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Jun 23, 2005

Re: Subaru Techs, help!!!!

Yea DJ, put new air filter in along with new wires, plugs and coil pack, pressure sensor along with the knock sensor, all from Subaru.

Subaru Techs, help!!!!

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