Hi Guys,
I noticed a few posts and have notice that this is roughly the same issue I have been having with my Gen III, When left overnight, when its started cold, the car does not want to fire. I will record a video of how my car sounds when I start it. but to sum up in words what happens the pistons will crank, and just crank. This happens for anywhere from 4 seconds to a minute yes one day it took a minute. Touching the accelerator ignited a piston, then another, but once I let the accelerator go, the car just started cranking again, a second touch of the pedal and half the engine ignited, then just went back to cranking. I stopped and then turned the key again and it started fine.
My Issue only happens on the first turn, IE the first time its turned on, if I stop and then go a second time it starts in 2 cranks which is baffling Mick form techworkz, so here is a list of steps that have helped and have not helped. These are also in the order of cheapest to dearest items to change. This hard staring issue wont really hurt the engine but will dramatically ware your starter motor.
1: Dec 2009 - Dropped the car into Subaru who looked at the codes on the car and found a Dirty/faulty Crank Angle Position Sensor. Now this breaks my rule for cheapest first, as at the time I was going to Subaru and not Techworkz. Subaru changed the Crank Angle Position Sensor cost was $350 + $100 for labour (Some bullshit about taking half the engine off to get to it) don't fall for this the sensor was removed by Mick in 4 minutes while talking on his mobile phone. Sensor fixed the problem for about 6 months, then the problem started to come back more and more.
2: Aug 2010 - Car went in for a service, and a new battery. This was because the battery was at least 3 years old, and being the cheaper option $130, was a good start, the problem disappeared for 2 months but then it came back again, slowly. So off to Mick for another check, Mick took a look at the Spark Plugs and noticed they had a large gap, as well as a worn center electrode was also worn (rounded on the edge instead of flat(square)).
3: Mar 2011 - Car was Serviced and Spark Plugs changed - warm up test (Mick had the car overnight, hooked up an ECU reader and started the car no error messages as the car started perfectly in the morning, perfect engine temp's and perfect engine warm up process. I went to go pick the car up in the afternoon after being lowered from the hoist, Mick started the car only to return back to its issue of cranking long before it started.
4: Apr 2011 - Car is back again at Techworkz for a new Fuel pump, Mick Quoted $180 plus labour (Mick Let me go free till the issue is solved then he will hit me up for the money (and most likely interest)) for the new fuel pump. Had the new fuel pump fitted, but there was no fix, car was still the way it was cranking long before firing (albeit a little quicker then before by about 2 seconds) now it cranks for 4-6 seconds before firing. Mick changed the partially used battery for a brand newy and still no fix. So next is testing then possibly injectors.
5: Apr/May 2011 - After Easter I will leave my car overnight at Techworkz to get a fuel presure test (has to be run when the car is Cold), this will give and idea on whether there is not enough fuel pressure when cold. Will update when the test has been run and the outcome.
6: Future - After the test, it might be new injectors time, I will update when i find out what the go is with my car.
Matty