Kev T Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 Hi guys....first post here... 1982 Subaru GL 1.8 auto Car is in very good shape with 116 000 km on my way home today it ran fin on start with the auto choke on. Once the eng warmed up it started dying at the stop lights. Idle would drop down to below a hundred or so...it would shutter awhile then stall. If I hold the gas pedal and bring up the RPM it saves it from stalling but it does seem to pulse the rpm as in the rpm needle is moving up and down almost rythmically. Once I got home I pulled off the distr cap and replaced the rotor. I checked the impedance on the coil, checked the wiring order and ensured everything is tight. Now it will not start at all. Turns over fine but not even a hint of a light off. I am going to pull a plug now and check for a spark. Is there something strange with the rotors on these cars? That is the only thing I removed and put back in. Can it be pushed on too low or something that I can't imagine? Wonder if it is the voltage regulator....is there a check for that? thanks guys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyB0y Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 I'd suspect the Idle curcuit solenoid .. assuming you have the stock Hitossy (Hitachi) carburator. How does it drive on the freeway? Does this only happen in town with stop and go driving? I had this problem fora while with my Hitossy and I tossed it and bought a weber from Edrach here on the board, best investment I made on this car yet! There is a thread about holley webers for $65 (US) rebuilt! I'm guessing it is a carb/choke related problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 I'm not sure on the EA81 distributors, but there are several different rotors for the EA82s. Could maybe be a similar thing. What happens if you put the old rotor back in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sister7 Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 Is it possible to have the rotor 180 degrees off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev T Posted January 12, 2006 Author Share Posted January 12, 2006 Okay...please picture me hanging my head in shame while I type. I checked and yes there was a spark....next I rechecked all the wires. Then I remember my Dad telling me to hold down the gas pedal when starting....yes I am used to fuel injection! I held down the pedal and she fired up right away. Yes I am an idiot! Once I got it running it ran fine at high idle but as the choke came off it went way down in idle and tried to stall. I gave the idle screw a full turn and brought the idle up and it seems to be holding although it is surging a bit. I can hear a vacuum sound which is corresponding with the surge. Not sure if it is a leak or if a valve is noisy...it seems to be coming from a round (flying saucer) valve that also seems to have an exhaust manifold type tube. It is on the right side of the eng just below the battery (between battery and spare tire but lower). Also noticed a loud buzzing coming from in front of the spare tire when the ignition is turned on. It is electrical as when I disconnect the wires it stops. Should this be this loud? It is again a flying saucer shaped device but with electrical wires this time and it is on it's side..not flat. I can post some pics tomorrow if that would help. Cheers and thanks for the help so far! Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 It sounds like your EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve. Make sure the vacuum line to it is connected and doesn't have any cracks in it. As far as the function of the EGR valve, its purpose is to introduce an inert gas (exhaust) into the combustion chamber at higher RPMs to limit the formation of oxides of nitrogen. The problem with EGR valves is that when they get old they tend to leak, and you get exhaust going into the intake when you're trying to idle, which is not good. The good news is that, unless your state requires the EGR to be functioning for emissions tests, you can disable it by blocking it off. I'm not sure how it's set up on the EA81, but on the EA82 you can just slip a piece of a tin can under the fitting where the exhaust comes into the intake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 The buzzing sound is most likely coming from a solenoid or relay that is contantly turning on and off. Something isn't right with that circuit. You should be able to locate the unit by touching it and feel the vibrations from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev T Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 If I take off the air filter cover would that not allow fresh air and compensate for a faulty EGR valve at idle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddy Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 my .02 on this. i just might be a bad carb. we have had several vehicles with the same problem (not subaru though). but whatever it is. it sounds strange to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbh Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 For the low idle, check your timing. It might be too slow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 I can hear a vacuum sound which is corresponding with the surge. Not sure if it is a leak or if a valve is noisy...it seems to be coming from a round (flying saucer) valve that also seems to have an exhaust manifold type tube. It is on the right side of the eng just below the battery (between battery and spare tire but lower). Also noticed a loud buzzing coming from in front of the spare tire when the ignition is turned on. It is electrical as when I disconnect the wires it stops. Should this be this loud? It is again a flying saucer shaped device but with electrical wires this time and it is on it's side..not flat. I can post some pics tomorrow if that would help. Kevin Cant give you any advice on the buzzing but on the flying saucer i believe you are talking about the silencer that is also hooked to the ASV (Air suction Valve). If your silencer has a hole in it then the ASV valve is bad as well and could cause some drivablity problems. Mine doesnt run as smooth right now because i have a hole in my silencer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev T Posted January 14, 2006 Author Share Posted January 14, 2006 This problem happened out of the blue. Car ran fine for last 12 months then all of a sudden it doesn't want to idle. I don't think that timing etc would just change like that...maybe I am wrong..... Someone mentioned the idle solenoid circuit. Were is the idle solenoid? That may relate to the buzzing as well. I am going to change out the EGR just in case. I'll try changing the idle solenoid as well. It runs fine on the highway and has tonnes of power in the city..just hates to idle when warm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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