shanta74 Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 i just bought a 97 legacy and it has some issues the main thing is it stumbles like its running out of gas up to 1800rpm then it runs like a top it just has this issue under 1800. it does get a little better when its warmed up but not much. any thoughts its got me puzzled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Do you know when the spark plugs were last changed, or fuel filter last changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Sound like the timing is off. Pull the belt covers and check the cam sprockets marks with the engine at TDC. This is the one time its ok to use the arrows on the sprockets. They should all point straight up. Other possibilities are plugs and wires, vacuum leak, or a loose intake tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) she (the previous owner) had receipts for the coil, plug wires, and plugs from June 2011 that's when she gave up and decided to sell it so they are fairly new. the fuel filter was on my list but haven't made it to the parts store yet. as for the timing that's what i have kept coming back to i haven't taken the cover off and checked it yet but plan to tomorrow. it just didn't seem to me that the timing could be off mechanically and it run so good above 1800rpm. if the engine isn't warmed up and i try giving it fuel it cuts out and wants to stall. Edited December 5, 2011 by shanta74 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 If it's a 2.5 (you didn't specify) and they installed generic parts store coil and wires funny as it sounds that may well be your problem. I just had my first 2.2 "jump time" this week. I guessed they forgot to slide the tensioner over before tightening. Pulling both timing covers as you're planning to do will go a long ways on that one. But - just because somehting had been repaired, doesn't necessarily mean it was done well, or with proper parts. Often it's the chapest or highest margin for the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 sorry i knew i forgot something i believe its a 2.2 the 6th vin is a 4 and its a legacy l not a gt. wouldn't it effect the way it runs above 1800 rpm if it was the timing i mean it purrs above 1800 and drives fine. but i will check the timing tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Oops - you called the thread 2.2 stumbles. 2.2 are less finicky about wires. Not that the ones installed still may not be very good quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 she (the previous owner) had receipts for the coil, plug wires, and plugs from June 2011 . . . . To follow up on what davebugs said--are those receipts from a Subaru dealership or from a chain parts store? Subies can be a bit finicky about plugs and wires! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 they are from autozone but this problem was before the plug wires were put on the stumbling was why she changed them but it maybe worth trying after some more testing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 If the belts are OK,check compression and/or valve clearance(if non-hydraulic lifters). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Incorrect timing can cause some strange problems. I got the timing off by one tooth on one cam on my wagon, and I chased misfires for over a week. It only did it when warm, under about 3500 RPM. When it was cold it was fine, but when it warmed up to a certain point it was like you had flipped a switch and all of a sudden it was running like crap again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 so i pulled the timing covers if i turn the engine over so the left cams arrow points straight up the right cam is off to the left about four teeth looks like ill be putting a timing belt in her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I just had this happen on a 95. I started a thread about it. Anyways for curiosity's sake see if the prior mechanic slid the tensioner all the way to the left as you're supposed to. I unbolted mine before checking and thinking that may have been the problem because the belt was in good shape yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 i will check the tensioner put im gonna have to replace the belt anyways cause i found a crack in it about half an inch long and the bearing noise ive been hearing is coming from the tensioner pulley area. i have another question tho what is the difference with the 97 2.2 engines? alot of the parts ive found say they dont fit a 97? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Beginning with the '97 model year the venerable EJ22 went through some major revisions to make it more efficient (becoming an interference engine in the process!) Definitely heed any specific model year indications! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 that's exactly what i didn't want to hear. are the timing components the same? because i checked the part numbers and they match the only thing i couldn't confirm was the water pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) Also they got rid of the hydraulic lash adjusters after 1996. Around that era, some of the soobs had different part # timing belts depending on whether they had Calif. emissions or not. You asked about the water pump, I think the biggest difference in that era was whether they had a stamped impeller, or a cast impeller. I think one was dubbed the 'high velocity' pump and might have been for the turbos from 90-94. Edited December 6, 2011 by porcupine73 add water pump info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanta74 Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 well i found the part numbers for the water pump and they match. looks like ill be changing the timing belt this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 WP's are the same for many years and both 2.2 and 2.5. 97 starters (atleast on the auto's) are different than the years on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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