hlevyn Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hello everyone! I have 2000 Outback (manual) that had been misfiring for a little while. Monday I finally changed the plugs - no change. Last night I changed the wires - misfiring feels like it's stopped. However, I still have some other problems lingering: when i disengage the engine my rpms plumit to ~0 and then slowly climb back up. They used to stay down around 250, not at laest the climb back to ~750. Naturally, with the rpms that low the engine and entire car shakes a good deal. When the rpms climb above 1000 things seem to mellow out. The other problem is lack of power, most noteable when trying to accelerate up a hill (which is horribly convienent since I live in the Santa Cruz mountains). I also have a coil waiting to be installed, but after reading the thread about coil failure this doesn't sound like it (although I very well could be wrong). Tomorrow I'm taking her in for some maintenance and going to have the mechanic take a look at this problem. Another mailing list suggested that this could be a clogged converter, but someone I trust has also disputed that theory. I'd like to have some ideas that I could suggest to the mechanic in hopes to speed up diagnosis. Have any of you run into something similar or have some ideas around what could be causing this? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Do a quick scan and see if there is a vacuum hose disconnected somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlevyn Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 Will do... What do they look like and where in the engine will I find them? (I've only had this car since Feb and I'm still learning my way around engines in general). Thanks for your patience =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 They are black hoses that fit over nozzles of different sizes around different places in the engine compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Hedrick Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 I would change the air filter and fuel filter for good measure. They're inexpensive and changing them certainly won't hurt and might possibly help a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlevyn Posted May 21, 2004 Author Share Posted May 21, 2004 the air and fuel filters were changed 3000 miles ago. how often should they be replaced? this also reminds me of a conversation i had with a friend about this problem. one thing he suggested was that when this was fixed i started using 87 rather than 89 octane. i do a lot of driving up and down hills, and a good bit on highways. with that kind of driving, which fuel would you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Hedrick Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 hlevyn: Did you have your car checked out by your mechanic? 3,000 mi is well within normal service life for air filter and fuel filter unless you are driving in extremely harsh conditions. One thing I just thought of. There is a large black plastic tube that connects the air filter box to the black box behind the throttle body at the top rear of the engine. That tube carries air from the filter box to the engine. A hose connects to the underside of that tube. I can't recall offhand what the hose is for, but it doesn't matter. I have learned the hard way that if that hose is not connected the engine will idle wildly and will cut out. It's worth taking a look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlevyn Posted May 22, 2004 Author Share Posted May 22, 2004 I'll take a look at that. When I had it at the mechanic's yesterday they took a look and thought it might be the fuel injector. It only seems to misfire/run rough at low rpms; once I'm on the freeway or get the engine up to 3000+ rpm things really smoothe out and seem to run well. I'll check that hose. I'm also going to have someone else look at the fuel injector. If you guys want I'll keep you posted on what's going and let you know what the problem actually was whenever I find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swami2806 Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Have youdriven at least a 100 miles yet? If you just changed the wires, it will take some time for the computer to readjust everything. It compensated for the misfire, and once it "learns" what's going on w/ the fiirng cylinder it will adjust fuel mixture, air flow/ timing and idle, among other things. If it's revving smoothly, I'd say it was fuel too, but I don't know if one injector would have that effect. I'm going to bet it's an air mixture problem whatever th cause. Definately change the air filter and fuel filter, first, though. Start simple., like other said. As far as octane is concerned, check you owner's manual and use the recommended octane in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlevyn Posted May 24, 2004 Author Share Posted May 24, 2004 i've driven well over a hundred miles since replacing them, but that is a great suggestion i'll keep in mind next time i repair(?) something. soon as my class/work schedule permits i'll get the air and fuel filters changed. also, any recommendations of a good mechanic in the santa cruz, san jose, or palo alto areas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlevyn Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 Replaced he fuel injector last night and she's running smoothly again. Only concern I have now is the smell of gasoline and the excesive use of fuel on the way into work this morning.... Is that something I should be worried about or do things need to settle in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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