Need some help! Car running like a pig!!

by **MY-25-GT** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:26 pm

Hey everyone, need some help

Was driving along the hwy this mornibg cruising at 100kmph with cruise control once i got off the hwy i was sitting at the lights and my car wont idle properly its like its about to cut out than what i believe is the auto choke kicks in to bring the revs up, it doesnt seem to have the same power and after a boost the turbo makes a noise like I have a BOV which i dont!

All mods i have are a diff back exhaust and a SPT air intake ?????

Any suggesions would help!

by **Robbks** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:28 pm

MY-25-GT wrote:it doesnt seem to have the same power and after a boost the turbo makes a noise like I have a BOV which i dont!

you DO have a BOV, just not a noisy atmo venting one

check all your intake and vacuum piping.
i reckon you have a leak somewhere, this WILL cause hunting/ rough idle and make funny noises as air is sucked in or blown out
Withe the engine idling spraying around a little UEC or carbie cleaner over the joins and pipework will result in the car revving up or stuttering when it's ingested through a leak.
nice easy way to find them

by **MY-25-GT** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:53 pm

cool thanks for the tip, Its due for a service in like 3000kms maybe Ill just take it in early? just now the sports light and cruise light are flashing which I have been told is the computer in the car recognizing there is a problem and needs to be checked, will let you know how I go

by **Robbks** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:55 pm

yep
Could be an o2 sensor fault
but have a quick look around anyway

if these cars suck in un-metered air you risk running them lean, pinging and smashing out the big end bearings or blowing a hole in a piston

by **zorro** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:56 pm

O2 sensor, plug lead off, dodgy fuel.... Just a couple of ideas, if anyone has a scan tool near you get them to check what code is being thrown if any

by **Robbks** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:25 pm

problem is
an air leak with throw an o2 code.
Subaru will replace the o2 sensor ($400 later) and still not fix the issue

by **jp928** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:47 pm

My idle went nuts in traffic a few months ago - while moving, hung on to at least 1200rpm. when stopped, it slowly dropped back to normal. Rolling away from stopped, no throttle, it jumped up again. Also, having an OBD-II data display, I noticed that the coolant temp was ~5 degrees higher than normal (~95C), despite the gauge not moving.

When i got to work, I disconnected the battery to reset everything, good as gold again, crisper response, much better, temp back to normal (rarely higher than 90c in cool weather). I recommend a battery off reset every few months. I reported the incident to Docklands by email, just so they have a record of it. They suggested that oil sludge in the VVT mechanism might do this, but it was only a few months after a service.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon.

by **bass_straitener** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:54 pm

These are the times when a Tactrix cable and Learning View will instantly give you some idea of what's going on with your car. Even if you can't fix it yourself you can at least diagnose the problem and get it sorted first time.

Do any of your mates have a Tactrix cable and Learning View etc installed that could get a screenshot to show what's going on?

An ECU reset is an option but if the issue is of any significance I'd like to know before resetting the ECU.

by **jp928** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:46 pm

EcuDatascan, or a Garmin Nuvi with an Ecoroute will both be able to pull codes, and show some data about whats happening.
Yes, it would be good to get some data out, but I would err on the safe side - dont drive it much until you get the problem resolved, whether or not you get codes out of it.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon.

by **kiahatsiu** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:43 pm

Sounds like an air leak. The most common ones (on my car anyhow) seem to be from the little vac manifold where the boost control solenoid is. Pop you plastic engine cover off and have a look around.

by **Jim** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:03 am

Given your description i would say an airleak for sure. Check you Intercooler hoses and all vac lines aswell. Go over the vac lines thoroughly as one may be split. With the engine on you should hear a hissing from the area anyway.

by **jp928** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:47 am

spray something flammable (like wd40 maybe?) in short bursts in specific areas, and if the idle changes , its sucked in the spray somewhere.
jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

by **MY-25-GT** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:54 am

My car's under a AHG warranty at Subaru so just going to take it to them they should be able to work it out pretty quickly

by **MY-25-GT** » Wed May 02, 2012 10:39 am

The Liberty has now been in Subaru since Monday and they don't know what's causing the problem, its not running lean, it doesn't have a turbo leak, they are doing the full Diagnostics check today which isn't cheap! :angry2:

so still not sure whats causing the problem!

by **MY-25-GT** » Thu May 03, 2012 10:50 am

Just spoke to Subaru again, still not sure whats happening with the car, they have done the full diagnostic check and are still unsure exactly what it is, need more time with the car and most likely wont be back today or even tomorrow!! :angry2: