r_chopin Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I have a strange issue with my 2000 Forester (my mechanic doesn't want to deal with it anymore). Two months ago, the engine was stalling and coughing, so eventually I replaced both o2 sensors. It fixed that issue, but another one came up. Typically, after I start the car the engine doesn't keep the RPM's and dies, so I have to keep my foot on the gas pedal. Once I start driving and reach higher RPM's, the engine keeps running, if I put it in neutral. Yesterday, the RPM's where going in the other direction, though - jumping to 3000 and staying for 5-10 seconds, then stabilising at around normal 750. I would apreciate suggestions on what to check. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 How many miles are on the car? Is the CEL illuminated? Any other work recently done on the vehicle? How about after the car is warmed up and say you stop at a stop sign in gear will it idle normally? Is this a manual or automatic trans? Some things that come to mind off the info youve provided are the IAC valve, EGR , Coolant Temp Sensor.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 What he said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r_chopin Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 EVOthis, nipper, Thank you very much for your reply. Here is some additional info: - I have around 275K, but I replaced the engine (from 2003 model), last year with apparently around 120K on it. - The CEL is on and reporting a fault with the evaporative emission control system (I believe); unfortunately I don't remember the code number. - When the engine gets warm, it has almost no effect on the issue. Just to re-summarize the problem - when I try to start the car it either won't start without my foot on the gas pedal or it starts with very high RPMs (e.g. 3000). What happened this morning was the following - tried starting couple times without success - removed the key from ignition - started again and this time it started with high RPMs. Eventually the RPMs will stabilise, but for the first few kilometers of the ride and whenever I stop or put it in neutral, it goes to e.g. 2000 and takes about 10 seconds to go down to 750. The same goes for when it starts with low RPMs - on neutral it goes down to e.g. 400 and takes a few seconds to raise to 750. Typically after a longer ride it behaves OK ... untill I start the engine again. If I am to start it, right after that long drive, it typically behaves fine. But when I let it rest for some time (even 10-15 minutes), the problem is back. Thank you very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 all vac hoses where they should be?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 So Im assuming this problem wasnt present when before you swapped the engine? Personally I would pull the CEL code, and attempt to correct that problem before you go searching for anything else...As mentioned (shot in the dark from me) you could take a can of 2+2 and with the engine running spary around the intake manifold gaskets/vacuum lines etc etc...and see if you notice an idle fluctuation..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Did you miss any vac hoses? We all forget that one by the airbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 EVO - not many folks out of our litlte area know about Berkebile 2+2 products so you should say carb cleaner, clean brake, etc (after all they are all 2+2 products). Other than locally a lot of their stuff goes out of the country. An amazing amount (atleast it used to). Know how they got the name 2+2? They used to be a customer of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 EVO - not many folks out of our litlte area know about Berkebile 2+2 products so you should say carb cleaner, clean brake, etc (after all they are all 2+2 products). Other than locally a lot of their stuff goes out of the country. An amazing amount (atleast it used to). Know how they got the name 2+2? They used to be a customer of mine. AH I see...thanks for pointing that out...Im just so used to using it i just look for 2+2 on the can it so much easier to look for with my array of various penetrants/sprays/liquids/fluid...lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Know how they got the name 2+2? Okay, I'll bite. How? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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