1988 DL Wagon Stalling, Hard start, Odd Behavior?

[AlmightyJake820]

I recently just got an 88 Subaru DL Wagon, It's a 1.6L 4x4 SPFI.

 

Starting the vehicle seems to be hit or miss, the engine cranks for around 5 seconds and then it will hesitate to start and is pretty rough, then it dies after a split second. Each time I attempt to turn it over it seems to get a little bit easier, less rough, and runs a bit longer than the previous attempt but still will always die. What I meant by "hit or miss" is that sometime I have no issue at all with starting the vehicle at all. Even when completely cold the engine will sometimes fire right up with no hesitation, and runs smooth and strong for about 30 seconds or so then will just die as if I'm turning the vehicle off. If I try to start it back up after it dies, it goes back to hard starting with hesitation and is rough and using won't even attempt to fire at all.

 

Ive checked and tested spark plugs, ignition coil, battery, distributor cap/rotor, timing, MAF Sensor, fuel, fuel pump, and fuel injector as of right now.

 

If anyone has any sort of info that would help me out I would greatly appreciate it!!

[DaveT]

An 88 should be 1.8L. 

 

SPFI -  check the CTS - coolant temperature sensor.  It is a 2 wire sensor on the housing the thermostat mounts in.  The 1 wire temp gauge sensor is near it.

 

It can be bad in ways that will not cause a CEL / code.  And it can cause all sorts of starting / driveabilty issues depending on the failure mode.

[Dee2]

May also want to check your exhaust system. Make sure it's not clogged and working properly.