Start up problem?

[Kook]

For a while now I have been experiencing a slight problem when starting up my lib. The car refuses to start up on the first key turn and sounds like it's struggling to start (sort of like the engine wont turn I guess). However the car will always start the second turn without fail, almost instantly.

I've noticed that the fuel I put in can effect this greatly, strangely in the opposite way I thought it would.
If I use regular unleaded 95 (never E10 or anything lower) I won't experience the problem at all or atleast so rarely that I don't notice it. However if I put any kind of premium 98 after a couple of tanks full the problem will return to the point of almost every start up.
Also if the car has recently been running it won't happen.

I dismissed the problem for a while as the car will still start however I'm starting to think that it could be doing the car damage since it obviously doesn't perform as it should. I have thought of permanently changing to 95 fuel or atleast alternating since I've read that subaru's should always be run on 98.
Is it something I should be concerned about or a small issue? The car is due for a service (waiting til after Christmas), would they likely pick up on this or should I take it to a mechanic specifically for it?

[subnub]

Silly question - tried a known good/new battery?

[Kook]

Not really a silly question. More silly maybe that I havn't bothered trying a new battery but only because I would have thought I wouldn't start more regularly if it was battery problem.

[Turtlez]

Kook,

Sorry for digging up an oldish thread.

I have a Gen 3 which was a hard starter would tick over and not fire. sometimes it would fire straight away, sometimes I could spend 30 minutes with no fire. I changed two things, and the problem has not come back.

First I had bought and had fitted a new Crank Angle Sensor(Error Code subaru said was logged a few days before a service) so they recommended changing this. After it was changed the car started fine for a few months, then it started again. but this time it was only a few seconds before firing.

About 3-4 months ago I had another service, and Mick from Techworkz here in Canberra said its most likely the battery, so I got a new battery and the problem has not returned.

Now you might not be having the exact same problem but these might be options to help. Get someone who can check the error codes to look and see what comes up.

My Battery was 3 years old, so a new battery was a good option.

[Nottage969]

I have the same problem on my MY03 RX. Taking it to the workshop today to get the codes checked on it, hopefully something turns up so that i can get on top of it, because it seems to be getting worse. And a lot, lot worse in the morning's when it's stone cold. And the mornings are only going to get colder.

Will post back how i go at the mech's...

[Nipple06]

I'm having the same problem ....
I am currently on my 3rd tank of 98 after i said to the mechanic its not starting well should i try some better after had brought some bad fuel and injectors where cleaned. Now i have new spark plugs and leads and a battery thats less then 1 year old so its getting anoying but mine takes up to 3 cranks on the first tank now 1 longish one or short 2

[champ]

Check voltage on battery, see if its retaining charge. If battery is ok, check status of the starter motor (not sure how the mechanics do it).

[Smithyy]

Just remove the starter, hook it up to a battery and check that it still throws out and spins at full speed