crcorc Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Hi, I have a 98 Legacy with 205kms on it and it's developed a misfire at idle which seems to even out at higher rpm. I suspect it's a plugwire though I can't see or feel any arcing from the coil or plug wires all the way down to the cylinder heads. I'm suspecting that one of the plugs is arcing inside the cylinder head. What's odd is that I installed NGK wires and plugs 20k kms ago so I'm a bit surprised it could be either already, and I have no DTCs. The reason I suspect this is because I had a Focus with a similar problem. One more strange thing is that I pulled the plug wires from the coil one by one to see if there was more/less change and cylinders 2, 3, and 4 seemed similar but when I pulled the #1 wire, the engine stalled - there seemed to be a lot more spark from the #1 terminal. Anyone else have any experiences like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Please update your profile with a useful location. Some of us may have parts you can borrow to test (like a coil, plug wires, etc.) to help diagnose. Did you install exotic plugs or the 2 dollar NGK's with the green writing? Also since you said Legacy I ASSUME you're talking about a 2.2 but please specify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crcorc Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 I'm located in Ajax, Ontario. Correction, I installed Bosch Platinum plugs with NGK wires and I have the 2.5L engine (Legacy Outback). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Thanks for the additional info. I'm an old VW guy. That said I've seen Bosch Platinums cause major problems in Subaru's and Volvo's. If no one else comes up with any great idea's I'd consider swapping out the plugs. On the 2.5's I ALWYAS use OEM plug wires. But some here have reported success with NGK wires. Personally I'd swap plugs with the NGK BKR5E-11's or similar(I forget actual item #) that are the cheap plugs with the green writing on them. In the US they are 2.00 each. So for less than 10 bucks (and the fun of changing plugs on a DOHC) you're on your way to trouble shoot. By comparison OEM plug witer are more like 100.00 down here. Wait a bit and see if anyone else has any suggestions though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crcorc Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 Dave, Thanks for the advice. I'll wait a bit for other bites and if not, go with the NGK plugs. I went with the the Bosch Platimums because I thought they would last a while and I wouldn't need to wrestle with another plug change on a boxer engine.......looks like that may not have panned out very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 when you say "misfire" - are you describing how it runs or are you actually getting a check engine light or codes? if you're getting codes, tell us which ones you're getting. unfortunately that engine is not very forgiving with plugs and wires. not true of all subaru engines, but much more so for yours and newer stuff in general. NGK plugs are best and Subaru wires too. i've seen the wires be problematic more often than plugs. in order of probability (in my experience): wires, plugs, coil pack, igniter, fuel injectors, valves. if the valves have never been adjusted they are definitely too tight and eventually the exhaust valves will burn (whether next year or in 5 years who knows), usually on cylinder 3 i believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricearu Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 it's the plugs. the little platinum wire recedes into the insulator and misfires. THOSE ARE THE SINGLE WORST PLUGS EVER CREATED. Change them, problem solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricearu Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 it's the plugs. the little platinum wire recedes into the insulator and misfires. THOSE ARE THE SINGLE WORST PLUGS EVER CREATED. Change them, problem solvedinteresting, nice diagram. that's possible after only 20,000 km? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crcorc Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Installed NGK G-Power plugs and the misfire is gone. Really surprised with only 20k kms on the Bosch Platinum plugs because I've had OK results with them before. Thanks to all for the tips. If I notice any mileage improvements over the next month I'll repost. By the way, whoever it was at Subaru that thought 2" is enough space between the cylinder head and frame rail to change the plugs needs a beat down with a flex-head ratchet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Fancy plugs aren't always the answer especially in a Subaru. No matter how well intentioned. Don't know why. Often I think it's better to stick with "the technology at the time" rather than trying to improve things. I basically do the same on my old air cooled VW's for the same reason. Glad it worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Here's my experience with bosch plat plus... This is less than 2k miles, all 4 looked like this. Ran like garbage!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 By the way, whoever it was at Subaru that thought 2" is enough space between the cylinder head and frame rail to change the plugs needs a beat down with a flex-head ratchet! If you think the DOHC is a tight fit, try changing plugs in a newer ford V8. The computer at work gave 5.5 hours for the job. And oh boy did it take that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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