wagon78

I just had a loss of power problem at high end in an 88 hatch and fixed it by replacing the fuel filters. On my 88 one is underneath at the fuel pump and the other is front left at the rear of the engine compartment. It idled fine, ran fine on level ground but started to puke going up hills when I floored it or if on level ground if I kept it floored and got >3500 rpm. Scott

Hey Paul. Got about 6" of snow. Fixed the hatch too. It was the fuel filters. Zooming up hills now. Thanks to Foreign Auto Parts in Groton. I was looking for that front filter for a month. Those guys have everything. Scott

It's a 4-Speed. Scott

Thanks for the replies. I ordered both filters and a fuel pump yesterday. Should be here on Tuesday. I think the current pump was original. The rear filter was replaced about 40K miles ago. Not sure about the front filter. It still has the one from when I got the car. I've put 50K on it. I finally found a source for it. All Subaru dealers and parts stores never had a part for the front filter until the one I found yesterday. I've gone up the hills before without the problem. It just started a few days ago. I betting on the fuel pump/filters. I hope that does it. I want to go play in the New England blizzard Wednesday. Scott

Anyone ever experienced the following problems with a 1.8, hitachi carbed EA-81? Engine looses power going up a hill and only when the gas pedal is pressed beyond about 80% to the floor. Engine idles fine, gets good mileage and has plenty of power on level ground. A subaru mechanic suggested the accelerator pump was shot, but I see a nice stream of gas shoot into the carb when I floor it and the car accelerates fine on level ground. I even tried very slowly pressing the gas to accelerate up a hill and when I get to ~80% full throttle engine hesitates badly. The instant I back off, the power returns. Is it the power circuit/2nd barrel on the Hitachi. I was also thinking bad/weak fuel pump. Car is an 88 4WD hatchback with 150K. I appreciate any suggestions. Scott

Todd, I replaced the points with an electronic ignition on my 78 wagon. I used the wiring diagrams in the Subaru FSM to figure out what went where. I can fax/email a copy of the appropriate pages if it will help. Scott

The 78 choke gets set by fully pumping the gas pedal when the engine is cold. A bi-metallic spring and a rachet assembly in the choke housing forces the choke plate nearly shut when cold. After starting the engine, a heater coil in the choke housing begins heating this bi-metllic spring which begins to apply an opening force to the choke plate. Progressively tapping the gas as the engine warms releases the ratchet mechanism and lets the bi-metallic spring progressively open the choke plate. Is your choke not closing when cold, or not opening as the engine/choke warm up? Scott

I tow a 12 ft john boat and a utility trailer with my 88 hatchback regularly. I pulled the hitch off of another hatchback at a junkyard. It actually bolts to the floor of the cargo area in the rear of the hatchback with 6 bolts. The bolt holes are spaced far apart, so the force from the hitch is spread over most of the back of the car. When I pull the boat/trailer up the ramp, I put it in 4 Low and have never had a problem. scott