cgflyer Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I've got an intermittent check engine light. It seemed to come on after hard right turns (i.e. on ramp to the highway) but now seems to come on whenever. It has gone off by itself and I have had it cleared by a code reader a couple of times. I've found it mentioned on a couple of treads and the recommended fix was to check the connections on the two intake valve solenoids. I have done this (sprayed them out with electrical spray and ensured they are tight) but I keep getting the CEL. I could care less if the light was on, but my cruise control won't work with the CEL. I travel a lot and can't handle not having cruise. Any ideas? Autozone associates those codes with the the EGR valve ($148) and others have talked about a clogged cat??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Year model engine and miles please. Assuming this is something newer with a variable cam setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgflyer Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 Sorry, thought my car info was supposed to be next to my username.... 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i, 5spd manual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Check the engine oil level. OSV operation is very dependent on getting good oil delivery (as is the rest of the engine ). It's possible if the oil level is low enough, during hard right turns you might have been running the pickup out of oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgflyer Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 I think it is the oil level, I use a high quality synthetic, but am about 1500 miles past due on an oil change...at the very end of my trip today, my oil light flickered...my guess is that the level in normal driving is sufficient, but not in the turn. Not really sure why the oil level would have dropped since the last change (I don't have evidence of leaking or burning oil) but it is due for the change and I will update positive or negative results here. Thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 (edited) I think it is the oil level, [...] Thanks for the tip. You're welcome. May I make a suggestion? Don't put off checking the oil level -- given the things you've mentioned so far, the level might be very low. If not, then it would appear that there's an oil pressure problem (but that's less likely). Edited November 14, 2009 by OB99W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgflyer Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 I am embarrassed by how low my oil was. I added two quarts and the lights went out. I am concerned now as to why the oil was that low in the first place and I wondering if during the last oil change, they actually forgot to put oil in the car? I park in the same spot at home, and don't have oil on the ground. My engine bay is very clean and I don't notice any smoking. I don't believe I am burning oil which leaves me to believe I didn't get oil at the last change. I normally do the changes myself but was traveling and had a shop take care of it...I am also unsure as to why I didn't get an oil light...my oil was pretty low. I believe the problem is solved now. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 [...] I added two quarts and the lights went out. I am concerned now as to why the oil was that low in the first place and I wondering if during the last oil change, they actually forgot to put oil in the car? I park in the same spot at home, and don't have oil on the ground. My engine bay is very clean and I don't notice any smoking. I don't believe I am burning oil which leaves me to believe I didn't get oil at the last change. While it could be that the oil was underfilled at the last change, there are other possible explanations. You mentioned going over your usual oil change interval -- maybe you'd been ''using'' oil before, but the level didn't get low enough by change time to cause problems until you went further than you had previously. Oil consumption can be so gradual that it doesn't show up as obvious smoke at the tailpipe. I normally do the changes myself but was traveling and had a shop take care of it...I am also unsure as to why I didn't get an oil light...my oil was pretty low. The oil warning light is initiated by low pressure, not level. If there's enough oil for the pump to build pressure, even if the amount is quite low, the oil light will remain unlit. I believe the problem is solved now. As long as you keep tabs on the oil level, you'll probably be okay. Obviously, I'd suggest checking more frequently, especially since the cause of the level drop hasn't been determined. Thanks. You're welcome, I'm glad to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 One more thing -- thanks for getting back to us. Your problem and the outcome will likely help others with similar issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Interesting. Oil starvation can be quite detrimental. I'd be sure to keep a closer eye on the level from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Change your PCV valve. This can be a cause of oil consumption. You dont say what the oil change interval is that you use, but a qt every 5000 is acceptable (to consume) so on a 7500 mile change you can use a 1.5 qts. Check your oil once a week if you do alot of driving. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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