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Idles like crap.
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:22 am
by kidatari
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?
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:42 am
by THAWA
is the CEL on? How are the plugs and wires? filters?
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:53 am
by kidatari
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.
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:07 am
by THAWA
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
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:15 am
by Flip_x
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.
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:30 am
by kidatari
I have zero records on the car. Just a title and bill of sale.
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:03 pm
by mTk
Double check heck all the hoses, especially the turbo inlet elbow hose.
MK
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:58 pm
by vrg3
How did you check for vacuum leaks? Did you do the starting fluid check?
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 9:41 pm
by aspect
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.
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:12 pm
by kidatari
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.
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:26 pm
by aspect
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.
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:41 am
by THAWA
get some magnecors, if for no other reason than the fact you wont have to replace them.
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:23 am
by evolutionmovement
Yeah, I bought Magnecors since I got sick of replacing wires every year.
Steve
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:49 am
by kidatari
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!
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:53 am
by THAWA
how were the plugs?
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:34 am
by kidatari
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.
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:03 pm
by elkaboom
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.
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:16 pm
by THAWA
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
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 6:30 pm
by kidatari
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
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:30 pm
by kidatari
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