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SPFI ea82, engine sputters on R/H turns only


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My car is sputtering/coughing on right-hand turns. Even freeway on-ramps. It acts like a carburetor would if the float came up and shut off the fuel. As soon as it straightens out, it acts normally.

This happens whether I take the turn hard or easy; even when just turning on to a street from a dead stop, just only if it's on the RIGHT.........:banghead:

The rest of the time NO problems (left hand turns, OK), good power, decent fuel mileage.....about 310 to 350 miles per tank.

 

Any ideas as to what the cause might be? It is not getting any worse, but I am getting tired of it; as I have had to do a LOT of city driving lately..............

 

Is there some sort of check valve that is closing? I'm just speculating at this point.......I am at a total loss

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have you noticed it shooting black or blue smoke out the back when this happens?

morganm s subaru does this and we fugired it was the pvc system. do you have the breather hookup where one side of the t is small and the other side is large? if so this is the earlier setup, and if you switch to the newer style for the spfis, it has a t that is for big hoses all the way around.

suckin in alot of oil will make your motor bog.

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Sounds like you need the PCV hose upgrade. Early SPFI engines came with a funny vacume line setup for the PCV system. Later one just before the Loyale came out they fixed it with different hoses and splitters. Basicly instead of using 2 fat hoses and 2 wussy ones they made it use 3 fat ones.

 

This would stop oil from getting sucked up into the PCV hoses, via the vents off the tappet covers, and into the intake where it gets burnt off. When the oil gets sucked in your intake and burns off in the combustion chambers your car runs kinda crappy and you might even see some smoke shoot out the back for a brief moment.

 

You can get the updated PCV system (just some hoses and plastic fittings) off any late model SPFI or specificly a Loyale. Good luck :)

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Well, it seems I have the earlier PCV system........Hoses from cam covers are large, passenger side connects to the air intake "boot". Driver side hose from the cam cover connects to a "tee", with a smaller diameter hose going to a connection next to where the passenger side connects to the air intake boot. Hose going down to the PCV valve was replaced in Dec., because it was hard as a rock and broke when trying to disconnect it.........the dealer gave me another hose, but said it was for a "Turbo"?..........It looked the same and is the same diameter.

 

Do I have to change the air intake boot as well?

What year did they start using the "newer" PCV system?

I'll just go to the dealer and buy new stuff..........the "tee" and other hoses are hard too, they've been on there a while............:)

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I have an '88 GL and it still had the old style PCV. I got mine off a Loyale SPFI. Check those out. If your snorkel and hoses are all dry rotten replace them for SURE. Vacume is so key on these little engines and even a cracked hose will cuase it to perform poorly. Let me know if you cant find what you need for a desent price. I can send you out a whole stnorkel and PCV system.

 

Peace

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Morg and Rube have the right info...

 

I believe this problem is present on many of the EA82 era models, but I didn't save a copy of the bulletin that addresses it.

 

My 86 GL wagon also does this. It's kinda scary to see all that smoke on a newly rebuilt engine when the RPM's drop suddenly, but all it all about emissions. You have to get the PCV system right to eliminate the smoke. Fortunately, PCV is an easy and inexpensive fix on these cars.

 

Maybe someone else can help out on that bulletin. It has been discussed a number of times on this Board.

 

good luck, John

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yup yup i had the same prob over a yr ago in the green hornet (87 DL.2bbl,3dr)....it was my 2bbl....it did it only on right hand turns every time...and yes i blew chunks lol

it was my carb....i had it cleaned and blown out by my guys at Brians"in des moines,wa....those dudes now suub's.....sparky

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I just printed out the .pdf at the link above. Sweet.......Now all I have to do is order the kit. This isn't just an emissions issue; it causes a performance problem.

 

Try getting on the freeway with an SUV looming large in the rearview with it's DRL's blazing and your pokey, 85 HP rig that is sputtering and smoking......:eek:

Not good.............

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True, the emissions failure affects other systems-especially fuel delivery. I don't feel safe doing any serious city driving in the condition it's in. People will run your rump roast off the road if you can merge into traffic at the going speed. One of the many reasons I'm not driving it right now...

 

On my 86, I plan to address the PCV issue in conjunction with a Webber conversion. If your carb is all fouled up, you may want to consider this too.

 

good luck John

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The PCV Modification kit came in today.........I will post pics (or links to) when I can.

 

I will also let you guys know if it really helps or not..............:rolleyes:

 

I am sure it will help with my "mysterious" oil consumption...............:)

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Erik:

 

Someone's got to document the process, So go for it...

 

It's a classic Service Bulletin fix, that a lot cars should have had - but never got. I guess a lot of Sube owners are lax about paying attention to recall notices. This would have been covered under factory warranty for the five years.

 

Keep us posted about how it turns out.

 

good luck, John

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Installed:PCV_modinstalled.jpg

 

PCV_modinstalled2.jpg

 

Notice I had to "flip" the wire looms around to clear the new, larger hose..............they only give you just enough.

This one is now clipped to the fuel return line:

Wireloom_flipover.jpg

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SubaRube, you are correct!

 

Here are links to more pics............It's getting too slow loading..........Sorry :(

Low res:

http://http://www.directcon.net/gmc248/Subaru/PCV_modkit_lo.jpg

High res:

http://http://www.directcon.net/gmc248/Subaru/PCV_modkit_hi.jpg

 

Instruction sheet:

http://http://www.directcon.net/gmc248/Subaru/Instsheet_low.jpg

High res:

http://http://www.directcon.net/gmc248/Subaru/Instsheet_hi.jpg

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Jay Zed, good point...............but I don't have the Auto. Trans. If I did, I would investigate.

 

 

After 500 miles and more, this problem continues to haunt me............the PCV kit helped some, but didn't eliminate the problem. In fact, it's now worse when the engine is cold............any R/H turn and it almost dies............runs down to about 500 rpm or so; then slowly returns to normal.

 

No smoke observed from trhe exhaust; before or after the mod................

 

What gives? Any more ideas? Maybe one of the "Elite Subaru Masters" will know.........:confused: .

 

Thank all for ideas given so far, I think the PCV mod is a good idea overall......there was alot of oil in that small hose when I removed it......

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