Ceramiclover Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I am getting about 18mpg with 87 octane fuel, and have noticed a gas smell at the front of the car. I can't find any leaks. I replaced the fuel filter and the lines at the filter look intact. Then the lines go through the firewall, so I can't see them going back. Is this a common issue? Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinky26 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Were you having these issues before you replaced the filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubieBrat Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Don't know about why you mileage is bad. but the fuel smell is common. The fuel lines on the intake leak when it cold outside. never enough to be visible but enough to give one massive headache. There is one rubber fuel line near the rear of the engine on the passenger side. Get a phillips screwdriver and tighten the clamps see if that works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 City or highway, or is that combined? Auto or manual trans? There are a handful of o-rings on the fuel rails that can leak especially if any work has been done recently that involved removing the fuel rails. Check carefully at each end of the rails, check the short section of hose on the fuel pressure regulator and make sure the clamps are tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Also a common indicator of a clogged evaporative canister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 where is the evap canister? I just bought the car. It appears to have sat for a bit in an impound lot before I bought it. Fuel filler neck was rusted and fuel filter was clogged. Car would barely start. Replaced both and it starts reliably, but mpg is still low, and have recently noticed the smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) The line on the passenger side was not very tight. and there was a hose going into the intake that was broken. What is this hose? It is right next to the Idle Air control Edited March 24, 2015 by Ceramiclover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 The white cylinder is a small filter. That line goes to the MAP sensor on the passenger strut tower. The other line coming from the T goes to the fuel pressure regulator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 So they are just air lines? Would they have an effect on mpg? Wondering if it was looking lean from intake leak, so it enriched fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubieBrat Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 So they are just air lines? Would they have an effect on mpg? Wondering if it was looking lean from intake leak, so it enriched fuel. It would cause a leak but shouldn't cause that much of leak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Now it went back to having an extended crank issue. Maybe 8 seconds before it will turn over unless you put the pedal on the floor. If you put the pedal on the floor and let go as soon as it starts, it will die. If you rev it once, the idle will stabilize around 8-900. Any ideas? I have replaced the fuel filter. Is the Evap canister the next culprit? And is that under the hood? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 The evap canister is also known as the charcoal canister. In your car, it is located on the right (passenger's) side under the hood, right behind the headlight. It is a round cylinder, about 3-4" in diameter. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrive2.subaru.com%2FSum03_FuelSystem.htm&ei=w74WVbi0DYSPyASfq4DIAQ&psig=AFQjCNF8F7FRYq-ID-5coruc_J9CNk2_kg&ust=1427639741386695 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Does that sound like a logical culprit? The car runs fine once it is started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 I blew air through the evap canister and could feel it coming out of the bottom. Does that mean it is not clogged? Also, what way should the arrow point on the 2 way valve? It was pointing toward the canister. Today, (48 degrees F), it started right up, was sluggish for 5 seconds and then went to high idle for warm-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 OK, that tells me that you should check/replace the coolant temperature sensor which is located on the water crossover pipe under the intake manifold. Or maybe the contacts have just corroded and need cleaning. This tells the engine whether is it hot or cold and either enriches or leans out the fuel mixture. If the weather has been warm, it could very well tell the car (in error) to still run rich which would account for both the fuel smell and poor mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 I had seen that in a previous forum. In the data list for the ECM, it appeared to be reading accurately. Also, I have no dtc's besides the knock sensor p0325. Or am I missing something? Thanks for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceramiclover Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Can the little valve with the arrow on it have anything to do with this? some air flows through it when I blow into it. There is an arrow on it, that was pointing toward the canister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haugenlee Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I have a 96 Legacy as well. I think my problem is with the filler neck or a line coming off of that. I can't really get under it to check because I live in an apartment with street parking. How much would replacing something like that cost if I brought it to a [non-dealership] shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstevens76 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 (edited) I had seen that in a previous forum. In the data list for the ECM, it appeared to be reading accurately. Also, I have no dtc's besides the knock sensor p0325. Or am I missing something? Thanks for your input. So you have a good and your not fixing it? Before you go trying to diagnose the problem, fix the one you know. Replace the knock sensor and see what happens. The other catch is a bad knock sensor can affect MPG, it could also be providing more fuel than necessary or not enough spark to fire all the fuel with a bad knock sensor. With a malfunctioning knock sensor the computer is running in the dark regarding timing and puts it in a "safe zone" instead of adjusting it as needed. Edited April 18, 2015 by lstevens76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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