Hello I am a newbie to subarus and am looking to by a soob. It cranks and backfires but won't start.I do not know the year but it is a 90's model with fuel injection. Does anyone have an idea as to why it won't start also does anyone know the correct firing order and distributor cap order? If I am looking at the motor from the front the hood up what side is number one cylinder?

Thanx Lee

transmission

3 4

1 2

bumper

 

firing order is 1, 3, 2, 4

 

The disty spins counter-clockwise. There should be a mark on the cap for cylinder 1, if not, it's the plug closest to the spring under the brake master cylinder for the hill-holder.

 

I guess it's possible if all that checks out that the distributor is 180* off, but I've never heard of it backfiring under that circumstance :shrug

 

-Dave

Timing belts could have been put on together without rotating the crank hence the backfiring. They probably got it all put back together and parked it after it developed this problem. Just guessing though.:-\

great suggestions. I am learning so much in such short time thanx

Does anybody know what I should check? If I get it running is there anything I should check as I am new to subarus ???

Thanx Lee

I recommend you goto the USRM and research it a little. It would be alot of typing to explain everything to be looking for or at. I did just help a Soob buddy of mine fix his backfiring problem. Which was what I explained earlier. Also if you get a chance goto a parts store and pickup a Haynes Repair manual for your car. It is quite easy to work on after understanding some of the simple Soob things.

you have a PM

basically, I'd find the USRM article about the timing belt repair, and verify that the timing belts were done right.

 

You should be able to take off the two outer timing belt covers on either side of the engine to view the belts & alignment dots. Knowing the history of the car would help as well. If has just been worked on, especially something that would take the timing belts off, they're probably wrong.

 

-Dave

Don't forget the screw holding the rotor on.