Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Need help diagnosing engine problems

Featured Replies

Hello all,

I suppose I could do hours of research, but maybe it's quicker to just ask. I recently bought my first soobie, an '86 brat with an EA-81. When starting it "cold", it seems to be missing on one cylinder and idles at about 1100rpm. It spits a little bit of oil and smoke out the tailpipe. Not huge amounts, more like a very light mist. After a few minutes of driving then stopping, it idles at 2000-2300rpm. After a few more minutes it seems to be running normal like one would expect with plenty of power (relatively). When it's warmed up good, there's no apparent smokey exhaust. But then, it idles down a little too low and stalls if I don't feather the pedal. I replaced the spark plugs and wires. Should I now replace the cap/rotor? I also just installed a missing preheater hose that goes between the exhaust and intake. No difference there. I don't know what kind of gas mileage I'm getting because I don't fill it up all the way because there's a minor leak near the top somewhere. I'll figure that out later. I'm guessing the mileage is about 28-30mpg. So does anybody know these engines so well that they can help me?:-\:-\

You really should do a full tune up, which includes

Plug

Wires (which you already did).

Cap

Rotor

Fuel Filter

Pcv

Air filter.

 

Its been so long since i looked at one of these, i dont remember alot.

 

You should do a compression test and see what condition the engine is in. The oil out the tail pipe doesnt sound too good, but can be as simple as tired valve stem seals.

 

nipper

You really should do a full tune up, which includes

Plug

Wires (which you already did).

Cap

Rotor

Fuel Filter

Pcv

Air filter.

 

Its been so long since i looked at one of these, i dont remember alot.

 

You should do a compression test and see what condition the engine is in. The oil out the tail pipe doesnt sound too good, but can be as simple as tired valve stem seals.

 

nipper

 

I agree. A faulty PCV system will cuase oil to get sucked into the intake. And then the Wacky ASV(air suction Valve) introduces Air from the intake to the exhaust to eleiminate backfires. Could be part of the oil thing

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.