Having trouble with my 90 Loyale. 1.8 not a turbo. Runs fine for a while then, as I accelerate to 3000 rpm to shift, the rpm drops and I have to slow down for the engine to catch up with itself. Occasionally, in neutral on the 5spd, I can depress the accelerator and the engine will rev to 3000 and drop repeatedly at precise intervals. I just bought this thing two days ago. I changed the fuel filter immediately, filled the tank with premium and a bottle of Gumout water treatment. Still does it. Anyone?

I'm not to familar with this generation of car, but you may have a ignition issue such as a distributor with worn out bushings. You might want to pull the cap and check for any freeplay in the shaft.

I am curious about this. When you say "free play" in the shaft, do you mean side to side or rotational?

I am curious about this. When you say "free play" in the shaft, do you mean side to side or rotational?

 

Actually both, but side to side would be the one that would cause damage to your cap eventually, and rotational would show a worn gear.

When you can make it sputter in neutral, does it seem to be dependent on throttle position? If so, it could be a bad TPS (throttle position sensor). There's a procedure somewhere here on how to test it.

 

-Dave

my loyale does the same thing. when its cold outside, if its above 40 degrees outside it runs perfect. weird. i havnt found the problem yet

Is the problem dependent on RPM or throttle position? Does it always happen at 3000 RPM, even when you squash the pedal to the floor? Does it always happen on a certain part of the road? Does it always happen in a certain gear? Right turns only, left turns only, uphill or downhill only?

Need more info! LOL These kind of diagnostics can be tricky...

 

I'd follow the above advise, check your dizzy and cap for wear/ damage. Check your harness connectors for corrosion, etc, check your BATTERY VOLTAGE! Low voltage will play hell with ignition systems..

 

Does it feel like the igniton is stopping, or does it feel like it's running out of gas?

 

88RxTuner

With fuel injection it could be many things. From the fuel pump to the CTS, TPS, O2 sensor, etc.

 

These should get you started;

http://www.troublecodes.net/Subaru/

 

http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId,1024904/initialAction,repairGuide/shopping/vehicleSelected.htm

 

Within the Autozone repair guide are the testing procedures for the sensors.

Here's the TPS;

http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId,1024904/initialAction,repairGuide/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c15280066fb8

Actually both, but side to side would be the one that would cause damage to your cap eventually, and rotational would show a worn gear.

 

 

How much, if any rotational play is okay?

Edited February 24, 200917 yr by eppoh

How much, if any rotational play is okay?

 

That I am not sure of. I do know that excessive play will cause problems with car running badly to not at all. Because excessive play will cause the spark to not jump across from the rotor to the cap correctly and at the right time. A haynes manual may have the backlash spec on a distributor. Some others here may have that answer to. Try this thread http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31754&highlight=distributor+backlash. Good luck:)