Ain't it always the way....

Nothing ever shows up on test drives, does it? Took the Subi for a couple of 1/2 hour+ test drives, and noted no issues with performance.

Now I'm noticing an occasional mid-throttle misfire/chug, typically when in the 2500rpm range. I guess the obvious suspect is plugs/wires/coils. Suspect I'll be applying a water spray test this weekend.

Anything else I should worry about?

J

Neighbor had a 2000 Subaru. Kept going through head gaskets. Four or five, all repaired by the loacl dealer. One of them required a block replacement because a head bolt broke. Replacement engine (new) failed a gasket too. They dumped it at about 150k. Udder 'n this one, I think they're pretty decent cars. All I know...

Yup, aware of the head gasket problems on some. Not currently an issue with this one, I think...

J

OK, here's where I am so far. No solution found.

Picked up an OBDII reader at Canadian Tire (luckily, on sale, $60). Scanned, no codes, none pending.

Pulled each end of each plug wire. No oil leaking from valve cover into plug holes on any cylinder. No signs of tracking or other fault noted. No corrosion. Water spray test didn't produce any noted misfires or visible arcing (performed at twilight). Plugs and wires were done about 100,000km ago, so I'm considering replacing them regardless.

When the gas is burnt down to about half tank, I plan to add Seafoam. Other than that, I guess I'll wait till it throws a code, eh?

Any ideas? Bill? LOL!

J

.
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4 0r 6 cyl?

and was it a private sale, or do you have a warrantee?


"occasional mid-throttle misfire/chug"......

Does it seem as though it's not firing for a split second,
or explain a little further.

And do you notice the same condition if it's at RPM in neutral?

.

small used car lot, no warranty.

4 cyl.

Generally occurs during a gentle to moderate hill climb when a little throttle is eased in for climb. Hesitation is felt, usually at about 2500rpm, and occasionally the tach can be seen to twitch slightly a time or two. Usually recovers quickly with a bit more throttle, often accompanied by further downshift. Once or twice, has manifested as a distinct misfire.

Haven't been able to reproduce it reliably otherwise. No miss noted in neutral. Seems to require some load.

At this point, I'm suspecting its either a miss generated by plug/wire/coil somewhere, though I've not been able to confirm that, or perhaps a sensor that will eventually code for me. Have an OBDII reader, so I'll keep scanning regularly. I may also approach the dealer, owned by local mechanic outfit, about some diagnostics, at least, as a good will gesture. Not gonna hold my breath there....

J

sounds a bit like the probs we were having in the late 80's with oldsmobile OD trannies w/lockup torque convertors..
we chased all the "misses" but couldn't pin anything down..
problem occurred at aboot 35-37 mph on slight uphill grades at at light throttle..
figured out it was the t-convertor OD solenoid giving bad signals..
they were going in/out of the "lockup mode" so quickly that it felt like an engine miss..

I hope that's not your case..

kick

Geeze, I hope it's not something like that.

I can't reproduce it at whim. This morning's drive in, about 15 miles, mostly at 45mph... Didn't happen till near end of drive, while on in-town road, doing about 25mph over a little hump-back. It unlocked the TC, downshifted (visible, small Rpm rise), hesitated, rpm's varied briefly, then it picked up and went, possibly with another downshift, but hard to say.

In general driving, the TC locks and unlocks predictably and seemingly solidly. Shifts seem normal, quick and smooth.

J

Wonder if any tranny maint has been done to it..could it possibly be a dirty tranny filter and require a tranny fluid change..would that also cause this odd shift point???

Kinda funny, our Tracer "searches" for a gear at about 30mph.

BTW, we got 30.3 MPG on the highway at 70mph. Not bad for a '94, huh?