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1997 outback 2.5 suddenly running poorly

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i'm picking this up tomorrow and wanted some feedback on possible causes.

PO states the car just shut off one day. no loud noises, overheating or anything it just turned off. he had it towed home and was able to start it when cold but it now runs very rough. he replaced the coil pack, and "a bunch of sensors" but it didn't clear it up so he bought another car. smoking a bit out the back but not terrible (oil smoke) and no pressure in the coolant bottle.

any thoughts?

thanks in advance

G

i'm usually suspicious when someone has a non or poorly running car and has tried work/parts like that.

 

timing belt - broken, jumped, tensioner or pulley failed and compromised timing

 

MAF sensor

 

Cam/Crank sensor

 

Fuel pump

 

Cylinder misfire (plugs, wires)

 

Idle Air Controller

  • Author

upon further review:

 

smoke is unburned fuel...too rich

unplugging #1 wire from coil has no impact. others change idle when unplugged

at temp light seems to stay on for 15-20 seconds but goes out

AT Temp light working normally.

Coil wire not changing things can be a burnt valve.

 

How many miles are on this?

Is it possible to get the old parts that he replaced and put them back on? When people just start replacing a lot of sensors they can make things worse or impossible to solve.

  • Author

AT Temp light working normally.

Coil wire not changing things can be a burnt valve.

 

How many miles are on this?

Is it possible to get the old parts that he replaced and put them back on? When people just start replacing a lot of sensors they can make things worse or impossible to solve.

234k

he included the old coil pack and a couple other parts i didn't look too closely at.

What's the idle rpm roughly? Not sure if this is relevant but just mentioning it since it comes to mind re: the unplugging #1 plug wire. I remember an old EndWrench article said something about if for some reason the ECU doesn't think it can reliably control the idle RPM, it will cut the #1 injector pulses.

Running rough, lets start with the biggest PITA unfortunately, the plugs. DO a wet and dry compression test and lets go from there. At 234K miles even if it is a burnt valve, I wouldnt recommend on repairing the engine, but rebuilding it or replacing it.

  • Author

Running rough, lets start with the biggest PITA unfortunately, the plugs. DO a wet and dry compression test and lets go from there. At 234K miles even if it is a burnt valve, I wouldnt recommend on repairing the engine, but rebuilding it or replacing it.

leaning toward a 2.2 swap. any thoughts?

  • Author

 

It is a sound way to go.

any guidelines for what year motor to pursue? can a motor from a pre-1995 work? there is a guy selling a 91 w/ 2.2 but i don't know if it would be compatible

Edited by hogweed

  • Author

 

It is a sound way to go.


any guidelines for what year motor to pursue? can a motor from a pre-1995 work? there is a guy selling a 91 w/ 2.2 but i don't know if it would be compatible

90-98 will work.  the 90-94 will require you to put a 95 intake manifold on and work around the EGR if your engine has one.

Lots written on this forum about swapping in a 2.2 into a 96-99 Legacy. Just search around and read a lot. I swapped in a 95, 2.2 as a direct drop in. Car runs great.

I have a 98 2.5 with 180K runs good with fresh head gaskets.  It would be a simple swap.  $500 for the motor.

  • Author

Lots written on this forum about swapping in a 2.2 into a 96-99 Legacy. Just search around and read a lot. I swapped in a 95, 2.2 as a direct drop in. Car runs great.

this was what i had been told. want to find a lower mileage 95 motor close to here (had a wrecked one w/ 105k on it but i fixed it instead of parting it). i will search, read and ask questions once i find one. i really think this motor is gone

Well lets not jump the gun just yet, do a little more diagnosing first.

  • Author

Well lets not jump the gun just yet, do a little more diagnosing first.

you're right but i saw a lot of oil smoke coming from under the hood when it warmed up, has ZERO power.....it literally would not make it up on to the deck of my rollback.

  • Author

90-98 will work.  the 90-94 will require you to put a 95 intake manifold on and work around the EGR if your engine has one.

good to know. probably will try to find one i can just drop in. btw, i was just reading your fs posts with the details of your accident. i pray you're on the path to restoration

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