Subaru tech/repair

ProjekTJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Location
Salisbury
I'm looking for someone with any knowledge about Subaru's. I've got a 2001 Outback (112K miles) that has begun to give me some trouble. Today it thru a code of a cylinder misfire on #2, it studders with acclerating from a complete stop and then again somewhere around 2K-2300 RPMs., and the transmission is jumping around a little (i think). By this I mean it feels as if it's shifting back and forth rapidly, like it can't find a gear. Also, upon startup and accleration is bogs down and then takes off.

Not real sure where to start, but I think I'm going to check the spark plugs and wires, check transmission fluid levels, and clean the intake and MAF sensor. --It's got 2 bottles of injector cleaner in the tank as it sits now.

:confused: Any other ideas or local help is appreciated. I'm in Salisbury, NC.

Oh, and I've got a torn passenger front CV boot slinging grease everywhere and smelling up the joint. :shaking:

Thanks,
Staton
 
i'd check plug wires, plug wires can make it act retarded. I had a car that i thought was about to leave parts all over the road it ran so bad. It bucked and sputtered like crazy. Changed plug wires and purred like a kitten. I'd try plug wires.
 
Yea, man do a tune up first. You'll be amazed at what it'll fix. Subi's are great cars. I doubt it's anything serious.
 
What Pete said,

Tune it up with QUALITY parts, it's worth it to get at least the wires from the dealer, odds are those will last MUCH longer than Vatozone or where ever.

NGK or Nippondenso plugs on Jap engines, anything else will not last.

Don't bother with platinum plugs unless that is what it came with. (tag under the hood will tell you ) MANY ENGINES DON'T BURN HOT ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM FROM FOULING and as a result you can end up with a mis-fire condition.

might want to consider a timing belt and water pump while yer in there (timing belt drives water pump) and replace the crank seal as well, if it's not leaking yet, it will be soon.

Break the timing belt and you may end up needing some valve work ( replacment spec is like 90k miles if I remember right)

Subi's need luv too !
 
Thanks for the replies.

I replaced the Timing belt, water pump, new brakes on all 4 corners, flushed the tranny and put new tires on a very short time ago. This Suby has been loved.

I cleaned the throttle body and reset the ECM this afternoon. The symtoms recreated themselves again very quickly. Had the OBDII hooked up again....still showing misfire on cylinder 2. I'm going to change the plugs and wires...just a little nervous about how deep these plugs go into the motor...and the very limited space I've got to work in there.

Oh well, I'll tackle it soon enough, for now the TJ has put on it's big girl panties and is back at daily driver status.
 
I like performance subaru in chapel hill. They are so odd compared to other car designs, that I'm reluctant to learn on it. Besides the CJ isn't available for DD status yet.

J
 
ok, a little more time to reply... IIRC, 01 was the first year for the v6.

if v6: you have a coil pack on plug setup i believe. verify it's operating correctly on that cylinder, and proper power is being supplied by the wires to the pack. if this is the motor you have, you don't have conventional plug wires to deal with.

if 2.5 4cyl.: you have remote coil packs... in addition to the above mentioned testing of the coil pack, you also have a conventional plug wire to deal with.

if that turns out ok, unfortunately it sounds like your problem may lie in a deeper mechanical issue. perform a compression/leakdown test on that cylinder (be a good idea to do the whole motor while you're at it).

again, i would reccomend the site i mentioned earlier. i've only had limited experience with later model subarus, i have no idea off the top of my head what values of voltage, resistance, etc. you'll be looking for in the testing of the coil packs/wiring.
 
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