john in KY

Post a little confusing. Are you looking for a transaxle or a rear differential?

Read something long time ago that was a similar problem. The underside of the fusible link panel was corroded.

Don't know if this is even true but look for either an L or R stamped somewhere on the part.

Big valve: 41.3mm Small valve: 39.6mm

4000 rpm at 65mph? Seems high to me.

Because of the backfiring I'd focus on the timing. Firing order off/rotor flopping around/distributor installed off.

Just from memory the CTS is located on that crossover pipe under the intake manifold right side of the throttle body. a real bear to get at.

Thought I'd mention this having driven the Al-Can twice. There is next to nothing on the route. Something breaks and you will be stuck there for days, waiting for a part. Treat yourself to a new fan belt, carry 10 gallons of extra fuel and never pass a refueling stop because you think there will another just down to road because there won't be. Also, no radio reception. Expect to see bears, sheep, caribou and buffaloes here and there.

Before pulling the pin pry the tensioner all the way to the left, torque the bolts and then pull the pin. Hope this helps. Also always the chance the tensioner has failed.

With just basic tools, probably not because the bolts will be "rust-welded". Give it a shot and if a no-go, go to a muffler shop. Probably should check the fluids in the transmission and differentials for water.

You must be a really tall person. Did that swap once and ended up barely able to see over the dash. Reinstalled the original seats.

Check the fusible links, little black box near the battery.

Mostly just poor/low idle issues. Like GD said, pull the trouble codes to pinpoint the problem.

There are 2. Just changed mine a few months ago. Sort of side by side under the intake manifold, passenger side.

In the process of swapping out the plugs with the correct ones. Half way there. Subaru sure didn't make the process easy.

Photo:

Changed the non firing spark plug and all codes are gone. Discovered I had installed the wrong plugs 2 or 3 years ago. Have 5 correct plugs on order and will swap them later this week.

Really appreciate the offer but going to wait on tomorrow to see if the new plug does anything. The more I think about the problem the more fixated I get on a lean condition causing the problem. Today the weather sucked, snowing in KY in April WTH? Tomorrow and the rest of the week forecast to be nice again.

I decided this repair is above my pay grade so tomorrow the plan is to replace the spark plug in the misfiring cylinder. If problem remains, headed for the dealer and let them resolve.

Just got through changing the COP for what I think is the #6 cylinder, rear cylinder driver's side. Checked for codes and now only have one...for #6 cylinder! Need to verify which rear cylinder is 5 and 6. Calling it quits for tonight.

Battery may be 2 years old. Discounting bad gas. Only recent repair involved replacing the exhaust middle pipe last week. Just the misfire codes. May be a contributing factor. Returning from a late Thanksgiving dinner last year the engine developed a serious misfire. #6 cylinder was the failure. Problem solved itself the next day. Wondering now if the #6 cylinder misfire could somehow now be causing the other 3 misfires. Can't believe 4 of the 6 COP failed. Plan tomorrow is to replace the #6 COP and see if anything changes. Just cleared the codes, ran engine for a few minutes and now have codes for only cylinders 5 and 6. Can't recall ever replacing the fuel filter. Could it be causing this problem?

Going to church last night and the engine started running rough about 10 miles down the road. Had the codes pulled and indicated misfires cylinders 2,3,5 and 6. Any thoughts on what failed to cause 4 misfires?

Add a relay between the starter solenoid and ignition wire. Just as a test, jump the solenoid terminal and the starter hot wire. If engine cranks, then just not getting enough current to activate the solenoid.

Lines where dry. Got the swap completed today. Car runs great. No smoke on start-up. Guess this problem solved. Thanks for all the advice.

Timing belt screw up/distributer not correctly timed/coil bracket not grounded/engine harness not completely plugged in/do you have spark?