jsw8671

So, it decided to start with no problems. I went and had the codes read to see if any were stored and I got "misfire in cylinder 2," but nothing else. I guess I'll have to wait for it to act up again to do any further trouble shooting. It took about an hour and a half to get it started last night... So confused...

Going out to try it now. Thanks for the tips!

I have considered the idea of it being the temp sensor. I do tend to smell unburned gas when it refuses to start. I thought though, that it would have more of a correlation to actual temperature rather than simply time between starts if that was the case? So: Is there some magic trick for getting to the terminal without removing coolant hoses and everything? I found a write up with pics for how to replace the sensor, but it seems like a lot of work just to unplug something for testing purposes. Also: Life would be so much simpler if we still had distributers.... Give me points and carburetors as well!

Oh, and it does always crank and sometimes fires but won't run.

It's an automatic. I've only owned the car for a few months and the problem started suddenly in mid-December. When I got it, it had a trouble code for mass airflow sensor and I replaced that with a used one, cleared the codes and it has not returned. No other maintenance other than an oil-change has been done. I replaced the battery a few weeks ago, but the alternator has not been checked. I've been informed that most sensors (excluding the temp sensor, but this doesn't seem to fit that problem) should show a code if they are malfunctioning. I have tried starting it with the throttle open (fires, but dies as usual). I have tried priming the fuel lines a couple to several times before starting. Otherwise, I have no idea where to even start with this. It does "seem" to have spark while cranking (as it does fire at least a couple cylinders before it dies), but I will go verify this now. Seems like an ignition issue would be at least intermittent. The fact that it works fine once it starts and will start again indefinitely regardless of temperature or other variables is what has me so lost...that and the lack of trouble codes.

So, my '97 Outback doesn't like to start after sitting for more than five or six hours. It will fire, sometimes a few cylinders even, while refusing to start... It will eventually start (sometimes over an hour of cranking to get it going...sometimes just a couple tries), and once it starts it will start every time, even if it's not warmed up...until it sits for a long period of time. When it runs it runs great. Idles smooth, plenty of power, etc...no check engine light... If I go out and start it at least every four hours it will start and run fine...temperature doesn't seem to be an issue as it has started easily in the single digits as well as up into the 40's... The fuel pump died recently (the issue existed prior to the fuel pump going out) and I replaced it. Plenty of fuel coming in before and after the filter. (Haven't pressure-tested it) Timing belt was done at 150,000 miles, along with head-gaskets. The belts are new as is the battery. The car is at 212,000 miles now. I don't have the money to just buy random parts and hope one fixes it, but this problem has me stumped... Any suggestions?