ATL-Todd Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I have searched the posts for my specific problem, but it seems I can not narrow it down. Here the systems: The car idles fine and will rev up with no problems in park most of the time. When I accelerate, it feels like the car is missing but will eventually pick up. Also, I will be driving along and I will let off the accelerator and the car will just down shift at approx. 40 mph. Here is what has been done the car. It is a 1999 Legacy Sedan 2.2 Limited with 106K. New completely replace transmission – 65K (warranty done by the dealer) Plugs, filters etc. – 65K (done by me) Plugs (Bosch Platinum gapped at 44) Timing Belt, Front and Rear Crank seals, cam seals, water pump – 105K (by mechanic) This problem has been around for about 15k miles (since 90K) One thing I did notice, one of the plug wires came off during travel and it stated missing really bad. I put it back and it is back were I started. Could this have fouled the plug by it firing with the boot barely on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwatt Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I have searched the posts for my specific problem, but it seems I can not narrow it down. Here the systems: The car idles fine and will rev up with no problems in park most of the time. When I accelerate, it feels like the car is missing but will eventually pick up. Also, I will be driving along and I will let off the accelerator and the car will just down shift at approx. 40 mph. Here is what has been done the car. It is a 1999 Legacy Sedan 2.2 Limited with 106K. New completely replace transmission – 65K (warranty done by the dealer) Plugs, filters etc. – 65K (done by me) Plugs (Bosch Platinum gapped at 44) Timing Belt, Front and Rear Crank seals, cam seals, water pump – 105K (by mechanic) This problem has been around for about 15k miles (since 90K) One thing I did notice, one of the plug wires came off during travel and it stated missing really bad. I put it back and it is back were I started. Could this have fouled the plug by it firing with the boot barely on? Replace the spark plug wires. 100K miles on them is more than enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATL-Todd Posted January 19, 2005 Author Share Posted January 19, 2005 They still look great and snap on perfectly. I think my post could have been mis-understood. I was going to do this but want some feed back before I did. Should I get a set from the dealer? 106K out of this set is pretty good. Should I change the plugs again? Do you recommend NKG? Thanks, Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 They still look great and snap on perfectly. I think my post could have been mis-understood. I was going to do this but want some feed back before I did. Should I get a set from the dealer? 106K out of this set is pretty good. Should I change the plugs again? Do you recommend NKG? Thanks, Todd Everything I've ever heard suggests that the OEM wires are quite good. You could probably get better pricing from one of the online dealers. Or ask your dealer to match it. Some suggest NGK wires - apparently good as well. I've seen many posts over the years where people have had problems with Bosch plugs in Subarus. You'd think a plug is a plug... but it does seem to matter. NGK's work well. The cost is minimal, just more your time than anything. It's worth trying. You could try some kind of combustion chamber / valve cleaner. I don't think your 2.2 has carbon issues (the late 90's 2.5's do). I've seen recommendations of Seafoam... and some other product with a B... (BK, BG?). Someone will chime in. I have no experience with these products myself. Occasionally, the coil packs go bad. A crack could be causing a short to ground. It may be intermittent... or only bad if damp weather... or only if under hood temps get up to a certain point, that sort of thing. Just some ideas for you. Commuter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 From your symptoms I would also start by replacing the plug wires. Sube wires are good. NGK "V-Power" seem to please Sube engines. I found that my EJ22 was happy with Bosch "Ytrium". My newer EJ20 prefers NGK over both Bosch and Denso. Stay away from fancy multi-ground plugs, the direct ignition system doesn't seem to like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATL-Todd Posted January 19, 2005 Author Share Posted January 19, 2005 The weird thing is...I went out for lunch to get the new plugs and I thought I would put in the FDW fuse under the hood and it seemed to run differently. Could it be transmission related? Will it harm the car to keep in the fuse for a few days? I ordered the OEM parts from a Subaru dealer online. I am going to have the fluids replaced in my transmission this weekend and go from there. I will keep you posted. Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATL-Todd Posted January 25, 2005 Author Share Posted January 25, 2005 Well the Sub is back bettter than ever. The main thing...its not the transmission. I changed to NGK's and the thing ran great. The dealer said the fuse can stay in to help gas milage. The parts have not come in yet but I will put them on when they arrive. Thanks for the feedback, Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Acceleration problem may indicate a fuel delivery issue. Change the fuel filter again and check fuel pressure. May also be a restricted exhaust/Cat. Dittos on the V Power plugs. BTW, platinum plugs may well wear out enough to give drivability problems in as little as 45K. You're close to that. Look for corrosion on the plug or wire connector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
later, Peter Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I had a similar problem with a 4Runner (the precurser to my Subaru). Thought it was fuel. changed the filters (what fun) used seafoam (I am a fan) no difference. Talked with a local mechanic: "It's ignition, put on new wires" I did no diff... He said:"try the plugs"... new NGK's & she ran like new. I assume next would have been the cap & rotor. Later, Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rruge Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I had the same problem with my 1996 Legacy Outback 2.5L at about 85k miles. This is a spark plug wire issue. To verify, put the car into a pitch dark area and rev the motor. You should see some arcing. My motor was misfiring much worse whenever accelerating the motor whether I was driving it or revving the motor in Park. It was also idling just fine. In my case, the wires were breaking down and arcing through the wire onto the manifold. There were quite a few sparks also around the coil leading me to believe it was a coil issue. I was wrong. It was all spark plug wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 "The dealer said the fuse can stay in to help gas milage" Wouldnt recommend it...search more on the subject on the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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