SubyDriver Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) My '93 Legacy/Liberty EJ22 2.2L AWD Auto seems to have a problem since about a month ago where it will start to run rough and have no power when going over 40mph (60km/h). If you shift it into neutral when it is having its hissy fit and rev it, it doesn't clear up. It only clears up after driving rough for about another 30 seconds or less under that speed and when stopped, revving it at around 2000RPM. The car doesn't stall completely at all, just runs real rough. I've heard it running on 3 cylinders and this doesn't sound the same, nor are there any violent sounds coming from the engine, just sounds like the engine is unbalanced or deprived of air or fuel or running rich. I've been reading around a lot about similar issues, and whilst I haven't tried changing everything that everyone else has, I was hoping someone might have a clue what could be a likely culprit or how to test for it. So far what I've done in an attempt to fix it but the problem is still consistently there: Changed PCV valve Cleaned Idle Air Control Valve Cleaned CAM sensor New MAF sensor New NGK OEM spark plugs New NGK Ignition wires New Air Filter New Fuel Filter New Knock Sensor Checked compression, it was good I should mention that the next thing I'm looking at is the fuel pump - am I on the right track here? The fuel guage has never read right since I bought the car 5 years ago and now it seems to have gotten worse, I don't have the means to check for fuel pressure though so I might just replace the entire fuel pump assembly. Edited May 9, 2015 by SubyDriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Cleaning the MAF has limited success on these. I would not rule it out. They are known for these sort of phantom runability/stalling problems and will be intermittent but with increasing frequency over time. Look for vac hose leaks. Spraying some carb spray around and listening for changes can guide you to it. No check engine light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 Thanks for the tip, no CEL, but I will see if it has any old codes on it. I could grab a new MAF (OEM) for about $70 Will check for vac hose leaks tonight and report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) No leaks I could see, even at 3-4K RPM. I've ordered a new MAF through eBay, will report back when it gets here. Is the hose going to the IACV or PCV supposed to have a clamp on the PCV/IACV? Mine don't seem to have any and I'm wondering if it could be losing enough air from there. Edited April 21, 2015 by SubyDriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 My two thoughts........ Could well be a bad fuel pump, or could be a clogged catalytic converter. However, in your land down under, does your car have a cat converter?? If the fuel pump is really old, I would be inclined to think bad fuel pump. My own experience with a plugged cat converter, is that it caused restricted exhaust flow limiting top speed to about 45 mph, whatever that converts to K/hr. However, engine did not run rough, just would not go much (rev) over 2K rpm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) Hi, These cars are infamous for faulty fuel readings. There are TWO sensors in the tank - left and right sides - that share the task. Read up on here (and Legacy Central) about possible fixes. The pump is on the RIGHT-hand side (on USA models), for reference. I'll bet on the MAF, too. GL, TD Edited April 21, 2015 by wtdash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Replaced the MAF, no improvement. I thought I'd might add, I tried a few things today when it started to bog (happens every day now so I'm used to it), it is actually rough even when put to neutral and revved hard, until it passes say 3-4K RPM. I've been reading around and some are saying that a common thing with these EJ22's is that a lifter will get sticky: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/143243-1991-subaru-liberty-loses-power-under-load/ I've put in some new oil mixed with Marvel Mystery Oil at this point and I'm hoping for the best (no improvement so far). Checked error codes, nothing has ever come up on the CEL (light is working). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86 Wonder Wedge Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Check the electrical system for any AC voltage when running. Can cause odd driveability issues as well. Also check the resistance of the ECT when hot vs. cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subruise Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 hows the condition of the harmonic balancer, woodruff key/keyway? i had one that didnt get tightened down correctly, played hell with me before i gave up on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 (edited) The crankshaft pulley is good. Today it stalled for the first time when running rough because I was turning off a main road while it was bogged down and the power steering pump had too much of a demand on the engine... might need a replacement Subaru soon until I work this one out, it's becoming too unreliable at the moment. After stalling it started right up again and the issue was gone for the rest of the trip (still thinking it's a stuck valve lifter). Edit: New fuel pump on the way now just to rule that out. Edited April 28, 2015 by SubyDriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 Changed the knock sensor (it had a split in the plastic), no difference. New MAF too, same issue. Took out the cam sensor too and gave it a good clean, no improvement yet. The car bogs the first time you give it a bit in gear (auto transmission), then even when you pull over it will struggle, if you keep driving bogged it will eventually stall and will start up shortly after, sitting it there for a few minutes will help it clear and then it's fine for the rest of the day. I can provide any more info if anyone thinks they have something I can try/look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstevens76 Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 To make sure you have checked codes right? There is always the possibility of an intermittent code stored in the system that is not setting off the check engine light constantly (intermittent failure). Have you tested the fuel pressure? Have these items been replaced: PCV Valve Fuel Filter Air Filter Plugs Wires Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 To make sure you have checked codes right? There is always the possibility of an intermittent code stored in the system that is not setting off the check engine light constantly (intermittent failure). Have you tested the fuel pressure? Have these items been replaced: PCV Valve Fuel Filter Air Filter Plugs Wires Yes, they have all been replaced. I don't have a way of checking the fuel pressure, but I have a new fuel pump on hand that I need to install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubyDriver Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 I ended up changing a lot more easily sourced cheap parts on this but the thing that fixed it after a fresh oil change and flush was running seafoam (or something very similar) through the intake manifold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Sounds like it was blocked injectors or gunk in throttle body/IACV. Seafoam is marvelous stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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