Hi, I have a 93 Legacy with the EJ22 2.2L.  Recently I've been having this issue where the car will crank over but not start unless I keep the key on for 20 seconds or so....basically flooding the engine but it will slowly catch spark and start.  It's only happened twice but is concerning non the less.  When it is running, it's perfect.  99% of the time it starts with zero issue and drives like a champ.  I've heard everything from possible bad cam sensor to fuel filter etc but non of that seems to make sense.   What would cause it to start perfectly and run awesome all the time except for that one or two times where it's been hard to start but still started?  Any thoughts on what I can check?  I'm reasonalbly capable at wrenching on this car (just did a timing belt and pulleys a few months back which was fine).  I had the cam sensor replaced a few years back so I doubt it's that.  Thanks!

No guesses?  After some more research..it sure seems like it might be the crank sensor (not the cam sensor as mentioned earlier).  It happened again tonight after work.  Had to hold key on for about 20 seconds and then it finally picks up speed and then while mostly flooded, it will reluctantly start.  Right after that you can turn it on and off again with no issues as many times as I want.  Then it won't act up again for another few days and with no rhyme or reason.  Some times while idling, it will spike up and then drop way down and then reset back to normal for a while and then it will kind of bounce around. 

Over the last few years, I've noticed my gas mileage also being very poor.   I do not notice any lack of power from what I can tell though.  It does not die while running...only irregular starting issues and some weird idling. 

As you  said it  could  be lots of things.  

 

Poor Mileage

- Plugs use NGK copper

- Wires, use NGK or Subaru

- Coolant Temp Sensor

- O2 Sensor

 

Leaking fuel injector could cause the issue as fuel pressure drops.

 

Next time it happens instead of cranking for 20 seconds, if it does not fire right away, stop and then try starting it again.

Ok, thanks for the info Imdew. Ill post some followup stuff later after I give it a tuneup