4WD Turbo RX Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 I have a 1985 4wd Turbo RX manual trans Subaru. I am not sure why I can't get the car over 4k rpm and the turbo light comes on after 3k but kinda flickers, could I get some help understanding why the cars lacks power. I have great idle, easy cold/hot start and trouble with climbing hills and speed above 45 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 Look for boost leaks in all the rubber inlet hoses. If theres no leaks I suspect a bad cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4WD Turbo RX Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 Ok, I have inspected for boost leaks and see nothing wrong. I thought it might be the restrictor cat but exhaust comes out strong at idle and there is no cat beyond the restrictor one on my car, it was removed with new exhaust pipe work. Is there anything that makes the car cut power that I should look into? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in KY Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 Splice in a boost gauge and verify what the boost actually is. Thinking stock should be 6 pounds. I ran 12 pounds for 100K miles without any problems in my ex 90 turbo wagon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 May have to open up either end of the turbo to see if theres too much shaft play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 (edited) Do 85’s have a read memory mode for the ECU? Try that. Plugs, wires, cap and rotor? Check ignition timing? Check timing belts? Edited December 10, 2017 by idosubaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 (edited) 4WD Turbo RX, on 10 Dec 2017 - 12:24, said: I can't get the car over 4k rpm Runs smooth up to 4k? I`d say plugged exhaust. Try it w/the downpipe loosened off or put a pressure gauge in the O2 sensor hole. Your car should easily rev to 4k in neutral even with a SEIZED turbo. Edited December 11, 2017 by naru 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 (edited) I had an 85 or better known as the three plug , flapper afm Series One There is two black vacuum or boost pressure actualy switches or should be, RHS tower. One drives the boost light, the other is supposedly to kill fuel or is it ignition at an over boost pressure I dont know what pressure. Maybe disconnect and see if get same problem? Have you found the ECU attached to steering column? Factory anyway has a red LED you should be able to see through a peek a boo hole n under steering plastic trim panel or between it and column in the dark I also got something like this from a the 20 year old coil, then again a year later on the chinese made bosch laminate style no oil can type coil. Went genuine 22433AA041 and never had problem again Fuel pump[s usually cause problems just on boost as they start to fail. I would rule that out at the moment but worth checking on a pressure gauge while driving Edited December 11, 2017 by jono Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead Saloon Posted December 12, 2017 Share Posted December 12, 2017 My guess is a dirty air cleaner or a shot fuel pressure regulator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4WD Turbo RX Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 The restrictor cat was plugged and problem is solved, turbo is ok and boosts again! Thank all who helped with suggestions and info. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 GO Turbine! Great suggestion. Why does OP call it a restrictor cat? What did you do to find it was problem? Whadja do to fix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4WD Turbo RX Posted December 16, 2017 Author Share Posted December 16, 2017 GO Turbine! Great suggestion. Why does OP call it a restrictor cat? What did you do to find it was problem? Whadja do to fix? The car I have came with 2 catalytic converters, the first hangs vertical from the turbo and then there is a 2nd under the car just past the transmission. The 1st catalytic converter is the restrictor catalytic converter, it was plugged. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 I don't know where you got that term, but it doesn't exist. I've been a tech going on 30 years and have never heard nor read that term. Two CAT systems are primary and secondary. Glad you found the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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