'96 Legacy 2.2L AT misfire cyl 3 and cyl 4 + did I kill the cat?

[porcupine73]

'96 Legacy 2.2L AT 140k miles. I just suddenly started getting P0303 and P0304 and the flashing CEL. I forget is that usually the ingitor or the coil? I tapped the coil and ignitor with the butt of a flashlight but no change and all the connections seem ok.

 

I drove it that way about 4 miles and the exhaust got really loud - did I destroy the cat?

 

 

It happened when I was pulling out of a parking lot. I gunned it and all was fine then I thought it shifted into second and that's why I lost power. But then at the stop light when I took off it would move but it had just about no power. I pulled over fortunately before getting on the interstate. I thought it was running out of gas because the tank leaks so I only keep a couple gallons in it and the gauge is flaky. It seemed to keep running though. Then the hazard lights didn't work so I got confused.

 

Since it seemed to keep running I drove on the side street to a gas station and put a couple gallons in but that didn't make any difference. I found the hazard fuse blown for some reason, replaced it and then at least those worked again. So I decided to try to take side streets about 4 miles to get home. It was working ok until I noticed the exhaust getting louder and louder.

 

Then I remembered I had read in a post that the unbrunt fuel when it's misfiring like that will make the cat meltdown and plug. So I pulled over and shut it off and let it sit for maybe 15 minutes to cool a bit. I had about 1/2 mile left to home.

 

I made it home. Then I thought if I had unplugged the injectors for cyl 3 and 4 before driving it I might have saved the cat.

Edited September 11, 2015 by porcupine73

[lstevens76]

When was the last timing belt change? Pull those covers and look at the timing belt. It sounds like the timing belt skipped teeth causing the codes and no power.

[1 Lucky Texan]

3 & 4 share a coil, maybe it failed?

 

might also try a vacuum test - symptoms similar to clogged exhaust I guess.

[porcupine73]

Thanks, I think the cat was ok, fortunately it still ran fine after I replaced the ignitor.

 

I had this posted in the marketplace section but then realized Google doesn't seem to index those posts so hoping it will pick up the VIN here now. Did you buy this vehicle? Let's talk, I can tell you all kinds of history about it and its 'special features'. Supposedly will be at the Akron auto auction soon. This was my 'baby' Subaru for over 10 years which I just traded in on something else and was told it would be sent to the Akron, OH auto auction.

 

This is sort of a 'missed connections' post. I wanted to leave a note in the car with a link to this site but forgot. I'm hoping the eventual buyer/owner will Google the VIN and find this post and maybe I can live vicariously as the new owner enjoys it. The Vin is 4S3BK4254T7309582. It's a 1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2L automatic transmission. The reason I traded it was it needed exhaust, the right front transverse link bushing, and a couple other issues. I just didn't have the time/motivation to continue maintaining/repairing it. Mileage was about 149,000. Putting more than maybe 1/3 tank of fuel will make it drip. I think it's rusted at the tank seam. It has new transmission hard cooler lines, new front sway bar links and bushings. timing belt, starter, and more should all be good. It has King Springs Outback lift springs with Outback struts and the biggest snow tires that would fit (which were actually for my 2000 Outback but they happened to just barely fit on the '96).

 

Here's roughly what it looks like (though this is an old pic it looked nowhere near this good when I traded it; it was far far far rustier).

Edited June 21, 2016 by porcupine73