I have a 91 Loyale that is the love of the family.

 

Recently it has become very difficult to start. You have to bury the accerator pedal and once it catches it runs very rough until it warms up. Once it warms up its fine.I have replaced the fuel filter and checked to make sure the fuel pump is working(it is).

 

The only other thing I have noticed is once it catches and starts to run from a cold engine you smell fuel from the exhaust until it warms up.

 

Any idea's.

I would guess that either the idle air control valve is stuck closed, or the engine temp sensor has failed causing the IAC to not operate properly.

I'd second the coolant temperature sensor. Same thing I experienced once on my Loyale

The temp sensor is the one on the thermostat housing correct? Where is the idle air control valve located?

 

The temp sensor near the therostat is only like 20 bucks so if thats the correct sensor I 'll start their first and replace it.

 

This Loyale wagon was gift from my Uncle, it was his "extra" car and was garage kept all its life until a few years ago when he gave it to my wife . And it just went over 100K.

 

This cars a keeper

Edited January 13, 201313 yr by thekauz
More thoughts

Just a thought: you getting any codes?

the engine temp sensor is the 2 wire unit with the green plug for the ecu. the single spade sensor is for the dash gauge.

 

The IAC is located on the throttle body and has the hose going between it and the intake boot. Soak some sea foam in that piece. There are plenyt of write ups for servicing the IAC

I found the single spage sensor on the theremostat housing, where do I locate the two wire sensor mention by MilesFox in his post?

Look on the thermo housing, lower, same side as the single spade connector. As stated green plug with two wires.

Best place to buy is online as most parts houses want 100+ for the CTS (coolant temp sensor). Rockauto.com is my favorite as they have good prices on SMP (standard motor products) which IMO is a good line. (SMP is also BWD, fyi)

 

What you could do as well is unplug the CTS (green, two wire sensor just under the thermostat goose neck) and see if it changes how it starts/runs.

I'll try disconnecting it when i get off work and see what happens.

 

The sensor is a little pricey but from all the threads in forum's I have read it sounds like a strong possibily that its that Sensor.

Haven't had a chance to test the sensor yet. It was raining

For days and I'm just getting over the flu.

Does any one know if the TCS on other year subarus

Will fit my 91? I can't imagine a different Sensor for every

Model and year. But I'm headed to the boneyard Monday to look

For a Subby.

88 and up spfi engines will be the same. 87 and 86 years have a different plug.

I'll let you guys know how it goes at the boneyard tomorrow.

I was able to clean the scale off of my sensor, in this case it made the car run and idle . if you have a volt ohm meter you can check the sensor, I used a pan of water on the stove , as it heated the resistance changed . not sure of the specs for the sensor .

Thats certainly worth a try. I'm still waiting for the weather to cooperate though.

It was the Idle air control valve1 replaced that and its running pretty well. Still likes to be warmed up before she's driven though. 

 

Now to figure out what I should go ahead and replace before it fails....

That's an old Sube.... I always let mine warm up for a few minutes, especially in colder weather where I've let it go until it idles down on it's own before moving it.

Run beautifully, if you just let them 'wake up' at their own speed.