Idles like crap.

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:22 am

I just got back from buying my 91 Sport Sedan, and for some reason it's idling like crap. I havn't figured it out, because on Saturday when I previewed it at the auction, it idled great. It pulls well, and it runs great otherwise, considering it has 180k+ miles on it.

I checked for and obvious vacuum leaks, but I couldn't find anything. Any ideas?

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:42 am

is the CEL on? How are the plugs and wires? filters?

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:53 am

No CEL, the wires appear to be relatively new, I plan on checking the plugs tomorrow, hell I'll just replace them anyways while I'm down there.

Heading outside to check the air filter now.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:07 am

yeah it'd be best to replace the plugs instead of justr checking them, as reusing them wont allow them to reseal. Do you have any records on the car? Might want to replace air and fuel to at least be safe

Flip_x · Post by **Flip_x** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:15 am

i think u should do the following things to any car u buy used. first off u dont know what the hell the owner did with it. change the oil, tranny fluids, diff. fluids, transfer case fluid, spark plugs, air filter, and flush the radiator. thats what i would do atleast. well pretty much change all the fluids hehe.

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:30 am

I have zero records on the car. Just a title and bill of sale.

mTk · Post by **mTk** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:03 pm

Double check heck all the hoses, especially the turbo inlet elbow hose.

MK

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:58 pm

How did you check for vacuum leaks? Did you do the starting fluid check?

aspect · Post by **aspect** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 9:41 pm

Use starting fluid to check for gasket leaks!

My car used to run fine until it warmed up, then it would idle like poop. Found that the gaskets on both sides of the intake manifold were worn down, but the drivers side one had a hole in it! Seems like they decay after exposure to oil?

Anyways I replaced both, car idled perfectly, a bit extra power too cos I was leaking boost as well...

This is after I replaced o2 sensor/plugs/wires/fuel filter/air filter...I really think all those parts would have to be REALLY worn out to cause a serious problem.

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:12 pm

I have 2 new sets of plugs, and a K&N, oil and a STI oil filter, and I'm tracking down some new plug wires. Oh, and some starting fluid.

I'm heading out to check for leaks now. When you spray the starting fluid on an area with a leak, the idle RPM is supposed to increase, right?

I need to order a fuel filter, hell my RS needs a new one too, might as well order two.

aspect · Post by **aspect** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:26 pm

I don't remember if it goes up or down...I remember it sounding different though!

Go ahead and spray it all over any part that you think might be leaking...I vote for the base of the intake manifold runners.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:41 am

get some magnecors, if for no other reason than the fact you wont have to replace them.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:23 am

Yeah, I bought Magnecors since I got sick of replacing wires every year.

Steve

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:49 am

No effect while spraying starting fluid around the intake manifold and vacuum lines. I wasn't very liberal with it, due to a hot motor, with the radiator fans blowing starting fluid in my face. I'm going to try again tomorrow.

I'll track this gremlin down, damnit!

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:53 am

how were the plugs?

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:34 am

Tomorrow the plugs are going in, as well as the K&N and the snorkel is coming out. I hate pulling spark plugs on subarus. Meh.

elkaboom · Post by **elkaboom** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:03 pm

Two words for you: ratchet extension.
One long extension and a shorter one (and a flexible socket extension) have nearly eliminated the need to remove or loosen anything when I change my plugs. Two extensions and the flexible (UV adapters technically) socket adapters have been some of the best money I ever spent.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:16 pm

kidatari wrote:Tomorrow the plugs are going in, as well as the K&N and the snorkel is coming out. I hate pulling spark plugs on subarus. Meh.

at least it wont be as bad as your rs

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 6:30 pm

THAWA wrote:
kidatari wrote:Tomorrow the plugs are going in, as well as the K&N and the snorkel is coming out. I hate pulling spark plugs on subarus. Meh.
at least it wont be as bad as your rs

Very, very good point. Heading out to do plugs now. Woooo

kidatari · Post by **kidatari** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:30 pm

If I havn't fixed the problem, I definately lessened it. I dropped the K&N in (doing the snorkus tonight probably), and changed the plugs, as well as a full tank of 91 and some Lucas fuel treatment. I reset the ECU, and it the idle is better now, and the car pulls harder, yay

The plugs were old, and they were champion double-platnum. Ugh. And the air-filter was ugly. Now it seems all is good for now, and I am happy

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Idles like crap.

Idles like crap.