Running Bad?

[LaureltheQueen]

I dunno... When I hit remote start this afternoon, there was a tiny puff of blue smoke out the exhaust. Not much, and it didn't persist, but it was definitely blue smoke.

Then, later on this afternoon, i had 2 rather unpleasant experiences at stoplights. I'd do fine right off the line, but around 3500 rpms it'd sorta hesitate, and I could hear incredibly muffled pops, but those could have been just my imagination. The 3rd hesitation after the 2nd stoplight ended with a pop sound, maybe a backfire? Then it completely stopped. It was really wierd, I'm beginning to think that upping the boost is probably a bad idea

[Yukonart]

Perhaps the ECU is getting used to the new plugs and wires?

[evolutionmovement]

AWIC all installed? Sounds like something causing it to dump fuel and possibly cut timing (or else just timing that's cut waaay back).

Steve

[vrg3]

Did you do a compression test when you changed the plugs?

As I understand it, a puff of blue smoke on startup is typically due to some oil leaking past the valve stem seals while the car is sitting. It's not uncommon for a little bit of oil to get past the seals on a higher-mileage car.

How long had your car been sitting before you started it this afternoon?

Does the engine consume any oil?

I don't really see how increasing boost would stress valve stem seals, except maybe from increased temperatures at the valve face.

The hesitation probably involved misfire of some type, and the backfires were probably due to the misfires.

I wouldn't get too worried about the hesitation unless it happens a lot. I don't think there's a single board member who hasn't experienced that type of hesitation every once in a while. It definitely happens to me every so often.

Do you have the updated knock sensor installed?

[evolutionmovement]

Forgot to ask about the knock sensor. I think the oil is a seperate issue also. Likely a valve seal. It's a fun job the next time you do a T-belt. You may want to pull the engine up to make it easier, though. Get a small valve spring compressor (not the SBC sized ones they have at Sears that need to be ground, bent, and swore at to work) and I think you can do it with the cams in.

Steve

[dzx]

Did you run the car hard and then shut it down before letting it cool? I know mine has had a puff of smoke in the past if I ran it hard and then had to shut it down quickly. Also thinner oil will leak around the seals, when i tried synthetic oil, the car smoked pretty badly on startup.

As for the pops and hesitation, i had that problem earlier today, I chanced my plugs and wires from zex turbo/nitrous plugs to NGK v-power and there were some pops and unhappiness for a little while, I think the ecu is getting used to them though. One of the zex plugs had a plastic ring on it from the inside of a spark plug socket so I think the ecu learned to run it with bad contact, which made the new plugs quite a bit different.

[LaureltheQueen]

knock sensor has been in the car for the last 10k miles(when i bought it)

I did not run it hard and then shut it off, i moved it 10 feet in my driveway last time i started it, about 3 hours prior to the mentioned startup

The engine consumes very little oil, not a noticable quantity. The oil is 10w30(i think, may be 5?)

[vrg3]

My guess is you probably don't really need to worry, Laurel. It's just not a new motor.

Do a compression check when you have a chance, and think about replacing the valve guide seals at some point. I think Steve's right that you can do them without removing the cams; I know my brother and I did them on his motor without removing the heads. He had this special tool made for the purpose.

And maybe reset the ECU to see if that helps it adjust to the tuneup faster.

[petridish38]

I'm assuming that the plugs were NGKs..... What about the wires? I remember I tried like two different brands from an auto parts store and got hesitation with both... I finally ended up getting wires from the dealer and the hesitation pretty much went away.

I wouldnt worry too much about the smoke at this point.

Andrew

[dzx]

Yeh, i doubt its anything serious

[tris91ricer]

The plugs and wires were genuine subaru, I helped put them in.
After we replaced that, though, we still had some blue smoke coming out.. not quite sure what it was though.. we figured it was gunk getting in the cylinders from when we changed her nasty-ass spark plugs.

[LaureltheQueen]

it did it again. Worse this time. RPMs would actually drop a few hundred.

the plugs and wires are both genuine subaru...

I dont know if i made this clear, it's only under acceleration

[dzx]

If its under acceleration and not just with startup there could be a problem.

[vrg3]

I think she was talking about the hesitation, which typically does happen under acceleration.

[Matt Monson]

[quote="vrg3"]

Do a compression check when you have a chance, and think about replacing the valve guide seals at some point. I think Steve's right that you can do them without removing the cams; I know my brother and I did them on his motor without removing the heads. He had this special tool made for the purpose.
quote]

This is right. Because the EJ22 cams run inside the heads, you can remove the rocker assembly to get at the valves and springs without taking out the cams or removing the timing belt, you just need to make sure you unload the cams.

As for the hesitation, it could just be the gas in your old gas tank after sitting for a while. Try topping off the tank and seeing if it helps.
Also, no Cels I assume? I ask because if your MAF wasn't totally hooked up, it would cause this kind of behaviour under throttle...

[92 Le-Turbo-SS]

, I'm beginning to think that upping the boost is probably a bad idea

Laurel, remember the talk we had about that. So did you guys finish the awic?

[douglas vincent]

I was having (lets hope I can keep it "was") having similar hesitation problems. I suspect it was that the MAF connection was hinky.

[LaureltheQueen]

lol, i'm retarded... I checked under the hood today... loose plug wire.

[dzx]

[evolutionmovement]

Make sure the plug ends are OK as arcing could have destroyed them.

Steve

[LaureltheQueen]

well, if it's firing normal again, i'd imagine the plug ends are fine