1 Lucky Texan

Does anyone have a good VIN decoder site for soobs that calims to be up to date? Carl

Is there a snorkel that is getting under water? maybe it's pulling in some water during boat launches? I got nuthin'

Perhpas he should try to retrieve codes from the ECU. I dunno if it can store them and not display a CEL on a '93. Maybe someone else has more help.

you know we're gonna need pics after those are mounted - right?

Yeah, my insurance company couldn't even figure my '06 WRXes VIN. And my Outback sometimes comes up as LL Bean but it is not. I'd like to know if other makes have these problems - seems like a 'consumer affairs' issue.

When it started at the 4:30 start - what was that like? And when you drove it home - what about the noise and performance? also, good maintanence history on the car? O2 and other sensors replaced? I dunno

I've heard '18s are for show - 17s are for go' so, yeah what they said. You can likley find some WRX takeoffs (check the proper marketplace at http://www.nasioc.com - that where I sold mine) with decent tires attached.

spotted this on Usenet - just FYI news://news.dallas.sbcglobal.net:119/43e5e33e$0$6963$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net or go to alt.autos.subaru and search for recent post ' Justy ' by grannieannie. this is the text; >>> Does anyone want a Subaru Justy J Series 1991/92 owner's manual before I throw it out? <<<< Annie

Thanx. It's tatse thing and a lot of folks don't care for white on white but I just didn't want gold or chrome and I felt anthracite would be to dark - I dunno. I DO think - for some reason - they would look out of place on a sedan. If you dig around at the following link, you'll see me and the wagon in action; http://www.hart-photography.com/2006/apex2006.htm

I recall someone (Johnson brothers???) putting a second engine/transaxle in the REAR of a Civic! That would be surprising!

Looks like this thread is dead - but just to followup, both the inlet AND discharge hoses on the compressor had leaks. Reapired under warranty. Carl

My fear is that PROPER diagnosis may not be possible with suggestions from a forum. And your limited funds may be better spent on a mechanic than throwing parts at the car. One thought, does your car have a K&N type oiled filter oiled intake air filter? They can kill MAF sensors. So, even if the recall was properly done, the new MAF may have been compromised by the oiled air filter.

Even if the O2 sensor doesn't ficx the problem (a shop should be able to test it first anyway) at 146,000 the car likely needs one or will soon - perhaps this would be it's 3rd one. many folks only get about 80K out of 'em. I dunno

Bad hose, still waiting for the part. He didn't say which one. I asked if it was rubbing on something, he said no. fyi

use 'D' unless you have a need to lock in a lower gear or other unusual circumstances. You could always order a manual - try Jamie at www.subarugenuineparts.com also, look around at www.cars101.com Definetly investigate the coolant smell. Could be a simple as a bad radiator cap. welcome to the boards!

Is it happening also when decelerating through 3K? Some Forester owners are complaining about that. My '06 WRX has been flawless (except for the nut behind the wheel) so far.

I was just looking at the soob Usenet posts and saw someone post about a vacuum leak. Miight be worth double checking all the vacuum hoses - maybe put on a vacuum gauge - might point to a bad valve or something. good luck

There's a front sensor too. Though the CEL you're getting might not indictae them. There is a scope or other test a tech can do. An hours worth of driving might be enough time for an excessively lean OR rich condition to make the cat conv block exhaust flow - maybe. (anyone else have more on this?) good luck

Good call. Be prepared for major torque steer!

I think it may be time to investigate some of Setright's suggestions about the fuel system. Including the injectors. How many miles on this car? Wonder if the O2 sensor's been changed or the cat converter tested? Your car only has a 'bank one' (even though its a flat four - OBDII considers it a single bank 4 cyl) and there is evidently some weird air/fuel issue. It may be worthwhile also removing the covers to confirm a camshaft hasn't jumped a tooth on the timing belt. While it's idling, hold a strip of paper to the tailpipe, if it sucks the paper back in, you may have slipped time or have a broken valve. good luck Carl

Put the OBW in the shop yesterday. I'll report what they find. just FYI

If you don't have and can't get any history on the car, I think you should start with basic, easy stuff. If for no other reason than you'll have good info to proceed with. Get the tank of gas that came in it out. Try throwing some gas dryer, injector cleaner or something and burn it out. Then put in the proper octane clean gas. Change the fuel filter. maybe do a compression test. Try to determine if the car runs better/worse/the same after it warms up. IF it idles rough, pull one plug wire ata time to spot a dead cylinder. Inspect the plugs for 1 or 2 with a radically different appearance. Check ALL ground connections and wiring harnesses to sensors. I feel you may have a sensor that is bad/disconnected but, could be one of several. A radical change after clearing the ECU points to an attempt by the car's computer to radically alter things just to keep running. You likely have a dead sensor or other 'serious' issue confusing the ECU. I dunno

the flat six in my wife's outback is only an inch longer than a 4 banger due to having a chain instead of a timing belt I guess. It might squeeze into a smaller/lighter car. And no scoop/fmic required = more 'stealth'. oh - and NOS

Did this begin after the MAF or other work? Sounds like your car MIGHT be running in 'open loop' (due to a bad connection to a sensor) with low octane gas or something. Or possibly it has 'jumped' time? I dunno

Just a reminder to 'reset' the ECU after a sensor change or other major work. Disconnect neg batt cable, tap the brakes, re-connect after 15-30 minutes or so.