Hi folks

 

I just purchased my first Subaru 5 days ago, a 2000 year Legacy B4 RSK twin-turbo (Japanese spec, STI tuned). Day after delivery during some moderate acceleration I got a 'stutter' and the dreaded 'Check Engine' light came on. After I limped home, unable to idle, the dealer checked and said it was a faulty Air-flow sensor that he changed and returned the car to me (seemed back to normal). Two days later, as I tried to run the car in ernest for the first time, I ran to just under the redline and there it came again, a stutter, followed by the "warning light of doom" and I again had to limp home (demoralised too as a Nissan Primera CVT I was taillighting left me in his dust because of the problem). The dealer is to look at it again today, but I'm doing my own research first. Can anyone give me some idea why this problem may be happening whenever the car is pushed towards the redline?

I'd be curious what the exact engine code that he's getting is. Also, it's possible that a vacuum hose is weak and leaking. Other possibilities could be fuel injectors, ignition, spark plugs, etc.

 

The first thing I'd probably do is a basic tune up, filters, plugs, etc. Give the engine a basic once over.

Thanks Josh. I will see if I can get the readout of the codes he gets (I don't have a reader myself).

 

Can anyone tell me 1. where I can download or purchase a service manual for my car (if possible), and 2. get the details on the codes and how to read them on my specific vehicle?

I'd check with some of the guys in New Zealand. I don't know of any new zealand specific subaru boards off the top of my head, but I'm sure there is some out there.

 

They have gotten the twin turbo imports from japan as well.

 

As for the code reading. I "think" that all manufacturers went to OBD2, including overseas models. If that's the case, you should be able to purchase any OBD2 scan tool, and read the codes yourself.

An update - the air-flow sensor was changed and this seems to have eliminated the problem. Will monitor and update.

 

Another update folks - problem has reappeared for the last two weeks. Diagnostics say its a faulty oxygen sensor. Will change over the next fed days to see if this ends it finally.

 

Anyone know where I can get an A-pillar 3 or 2 gauge pod to fit the Right Hand Drive Subaru Legacy 2000 model?

Just a guess but they may make it so that it is reversable.

Hi again

 

As an update, I'm still awaiting a new O2 sensor, but I put a bottle of Octane Booster in my tank and had no occurrence of the problem. As soon as that tank of gas ran out and I refilled (without Booster) the problem reoccurred. The problem therefore definitely seems linked to the poor octane fuel we use in my country. Will update post O2 sensor switch further.

 

 

Another friend with a modified Impreza blew his engine recently and also blames our gas for the root of his problem.