HELP - 94 subaru liberty problem

GTENVY · 27-03-2009, 11:26 PM

Hi guys,

my wife has a 94 subaru liberty which has got 260kms on the clock. The engine idles rough on start up most times (but not always) and after acouple of minutes or sometimes 20 seconds the idle smooths out and the car runs fine till you stop it then start it up again. Any ideas guys.

Thanks in advance.

escapin · 27-03-2009, 11:36 PM

mine used to do the same thing had 213kms on it
was the o2 sensor. well that was my fix any way

HaZ-R-DuS · 27-03-2009, 11:40 PM

Could even be the Air Flow Meter. Subys are known for them failing.

GTENVY · 27-03-2009, 11:50 PM

righto guys, thanks for the tips, we'll have a look see and let you know the results.

Cheers fellas

xls3v · 28-03-2009, 12:25 AM

mine same problem but it was head gasket and bottom end bearings big dollars

GTENVY · 28-03-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xls3v

mine same problem but it was head gasket and bottom end bearings big dollars

'big dollars' isn't that with anything to do with subaru!!! lol. Should be bottom end as we had the engine replaced 10k ago as it blew up ( I kid you not). The replacement engine was from a car with 90k on the clock and was checked over, but they used the original air flow meter etc. Sorta makes sense as the car was doing it on and off with the old engine...

xls3v · 28-03-2009, 01:07 AM

gotta love the timing belt too like wtf 400-800 depending were you go

VioletGT · 28-03-2009, 10:30 AM

i would try a tune up... plugs, all filters and o2 sensor 4 sure...... could even inspect the throtle body for gunk around the butterfly

LOCO XP · 28-03-2009, 11:56 AM

if that fails, increase 0xygen by adding 2 turbos. more boost fixes everything

escapin · 28-03-2009, 12:10 PM

yeah my radiatior blew the ends out and cooked the head gasket.
total rebuild stronger and ported and polished heads, cams, went heaps harder was a great car.

GTENVY · 28-03-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOCO XP

if that fails, increase 0xygen by adding 2 turbos. more boost fixes everything

Nice, like your thinking

: But I wanna spend some $$$$'s on the sprint first :dr_Evil:

Besides she's eventually wanting a liberty GT by STI

:

Matty4 · 28-03-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOCO XP

if that fails, increase 0xygen by adding 2 turbos. more boost fixes everything

Yep......couldn't agree more, see sig.

I agree with the thought of it being the AFM. I had to replace mine around the 90K mark as it was hesitating a fair bit at low engine speeds and would then clear up after speed increased. Not a huge price for one of these, $90 for mine IIRC.

Matty

Quicklier · 29-03-2009, 10:21 AM

If it's idling rough for a few minutes I can't imagine it's going to be an O2 or AFM (Air Flow Meter). If it's rough (shakes the car a bit) it is likely to be a breach in one of the head gaskets allowing watter from the water jacket get into the cylinder. It won't happen all the time as the breach is probably only very small.

A fairly easy way (well, not in a lib) would be to start it, let it idle rough for 30 seconds then shut it down and start inspecting the spark plugs. If you find a wet one, you've found the leak.

And if it IS the issue I've described, if left unchecked you'll have 3 good pistons, and 1 buggered one.

GTENVY · 18-04-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicklier

If it's idling rough for a few minutes I can't imagine it's going to be an O2 or AFM (Air Flow Meter). If it's rough (shakes the car a bit) it is likely to be a breach in one of the head gaskets allowing watter from the water jacket get into the cylinder. It won't happen all the time as the breach is probably only very small.

A fairly easy way (well, not in a lib) would be to start it, let it idle rough for 30 seconds then shut it down and start inspecting the spark plugs. If you find a wet one, you've found the leak.

And if it IS the issue I've described, if left unchecked you'll have 3 good pistons, and 1 buggered one.

Well Quicklier, you were correct. Its the head gasket and I have been quoted $2 grand plus to fix and three weeks down time. Looks like she's going to the wreckers :gren:

ChemicalHorizon · 18-04-2009, 07:03 PM

How strange, this is the third subaru iv heard in a week with the engine going completly, then the "new" recond engine having problems within a short time....

V8falcons · 18-04-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Well Quicklier, you were correct. Its the head gasket and I have been quoted $2 grand plus to fix and three weeks down time. Looks like she's going to the wreckers :gren:

If you are going to keep the car remove the gen 2 ,2.0 or 2.2ltr and fit a gen 3 2.5ltr single overhead cam engine all the head gasket issues were sorted with this engine and will not give you any troubles for the the next 10 years!!!!!! so long as the timming belt is replaced at correct intervals
Not to mention more tourqe and a fairly straight forward conversion.

You should find one in an import wreacker for less than $1000.

GTENVY · 18-04-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChemicalHorizon

How strange, this is the third subaru iv heard in a week with the engine going completly, then the "new" recond engine having problems within a short time....

Its all a conspiracy I tell you :dr_Evil:

AllCoupedUp · 18-04-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Besides she's eventually wanting a liberty GT by STI

:

Tell her to get one - I've got a GT-B and it rocks!

Can I say that in a Ford forum??

:

Mr Hardware · 18-04-2009, 10:28 PM

You replaced the motor on a 94 subaru? Why? You liked paying exorbidant costs for a thoroughly average car and couldn't bear to stop?

vanman_75 · 18-04-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Well Quicklier, you were correct. Its the head gasket and I have been quoted $2 grand plus to fix and three weeks down time. Looks like she's going to the wreckers :gren:

i had same problem ,ended being 2700 by the time it was fixed as so many other things need doing to change gaskets ,then i traded it for 1700......lesson learned

CPOCSM · 19-04-2009, 07:34 AM

Head gaskets are fairly simple to fix and with the Subarus, the biggest pain in the bum is the setting of the timinig again...really needs 2 people - one to set the timing and the other to get your tools when you fling them up the yard!!

Jokes aside - if the heads need to come off, do the following as well:

- Head gaskets (kind of a gimme)
- cam seals as they will need replacing the moment you put it back in the car!!
- Check the water pump - see the above comment!!
- Check all idler pulleys as the bearings can fail - even after low km
- replace the belt/s (the EA82 I have has 2 belts - double the price!!)
- DO replace the cam covers and dont leave them off for bling factor - murphys law states that something will get stuck in the belt

- Use the Subaru upper cylinder cleaner - it is fantastic and your car runs like a new one - it is an aerosol so be careful
- tappet tick is a fact of life in a Subaru - will not damage the car - just turn your stereo up to drown it out
- O2 sensor is a biggie but if you insist on buying them off fleabay, make sure that it is the right one

A good trick with Soobs too - when the car starts to burp and fart...disconnect the battery overnight as this resets the ECU and then drive it like you stole it. This "educates" the ECU and it sets itself up accordingly.

Have fun

Hooroo

GTENVY · 19-04-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

You replaced the motor on a 94 subaru? Why? You liked paying exorbidant costs for a thoroughly average car and couldn't bear to stop?

Tried arguing with your wife lately???

Mr Hardware · 19-04-2009, 07:37 PM

Yeah, sorry, i just can't stand people doing things like vanman 75 highlighted, spending $2k on a $1k car.

GTENVY · 19-04-2009, 09:16 PM

Totally agree, she has finally seen the light mind you, for the interim we picked up a 93 EB11 station wagon for $3000 with 100,000 kms on the clock. Only 2 owners and besides the odd car park scrap she is in pretty good nick

:

Mr Hardware · 19-04-2009, 09:28 PM

Yeah that's the way.
Mind you i'm no angel either. I have a total inability to send a car to the wreckers when i could fix her up and sell her, even if i'd make no more money than the $150 from the wreckers. But i make sure i'm not going to lose out of the deal either.

vanman_75 · 19-04-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Yeah, sorry, i just can't stand people doing things like vanman 75 highlighted, spending $2k on a $1k car.

didnt have time to fix it ,so was forced to take it to a mechanic thats never worked on em and the list just kept growing as the job progressed ...like single use head bolts .lol it wasnt a 1000 dollar car when i owned it but i guess they are now .a good lesson is if its old get a basic car ,falcon commo etc ,if not get very low k or new if you can these new cars wont see 20 years plus with all the crap that can and will go wrong with em.