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#1
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slow starting
I hope somebody can help me out there. I have a 96 AWD that does a lot of sitting around, the car only has 51,000 miles on it. I can let the car sit for a day, week, or month and it starts up within one or two rotations of the engine. However, once it has warmed up and I shut it off and let it sit anywhere between one hour and eight hours it is harder to start. It always starts, but when it does it sputters a little, smells like fuel, and takes three to four seconds to start versus the instant start if it sits for a day or more and you can see the light blue smoke coming out of the exhaust when this happens. When it starts correctly there is no smoke and the car uses no oil. My local Subaru dealer wanted $300 to trouble shoot the problem because they think it's a fuel injector leaking down into the cylinder and causing it to flood but they couldn't guarantee it's an injector without putting all that labor in it first. Anyway, does it sound like an injector or do you think it could be a O2 sensor or engine map sensor? Anybody out there have a similar problem? I'm open to all suggestions. Keep in mind, I'm not a master mechanic that can get into complex diagnostic work. Thanks for the help.
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#2
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All symptoms you describe match those of a leaking fuel injector.
Subies injectors are generally reliable, but sometimes they do leak. A would definitely not give $300 to a dealer. A new injector is $80, there is no need to replace all 6 - just a leaking one. You can probably find a used one much cheaper. There is absolutely no reason to replace all injectors - such failures are rare and unpredictable. I had one failed at < 100k and remaining 5 worked for another 6 years/75k without any problems The replacement itself is easy, all you need is a screwdriver to remove two screws on top of fuel injector, disconnect the wire, than you can simply twist and pull the injector (kinda tricky move), but it is just twist and pool, no special tools needed. The hardest part is to find which one is leaking. I did it by pulling the fuel rails together with injectors and simply watching injector tips for leaks (just a bit of compressed air). I did not have a spare injector on hand and I wanted to be 100% sure it is the injector. If I had to do it again, I would probably just play a roulette, replacing one injector at a time - removing fuel rails is a pain. |
#3
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thanks for the help GL1674
Thanks for the tips on replacing the fuel injectors. When you twist the injector to take it out does it matter which way you twist? Are they difficult to reinstall? Thanks again for the help.
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#4
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you can twist the injector in any direction. They are easy to reinstall.
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Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
#5
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two last questions
Well, I finally got the injectors out, which I must say was a pain in the butt:-)
When I pulled the injectors out a fair amount a fuel ran down the intake runners. Will this be a problem when I go to restart the car after replacing the bad injector or injectors? After I've reinstalled everything, will I need to prime the fuel system or simply start the car? Thanks for everyones help. |
#6
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Quote:
While the injectors are out, you could try putting a bit of compressed air (less than 40psi) to each, to see if you can locate the leaking one. Harvey.
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One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#7
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Quote:
You probably will not need this flood clearing mode for a cold start, but just in case. There is no need to prime fuel system - it will purge itself, just give it a couple of seconds with ignition on before cranking, you might even hear bubbles in the fuel tank. |
#8
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What now???
I finally got a new set of Python Injectors and installed them, twice. The first time I must have had one with a pinched O Ring because it acted like it had a miss at low RPM. THis is where the problem comes in. I took them out last night and, as before, a lot of fuel ran down the intake runners. This afternoon I reinstalled them and went to crank up the car and it made half a rotation and locked up! Too much fuel in the cylinders I imagine. I think they refer to this as hydrostatic lock-up. Lucky me My question is...if I wait a day or two will the pressure reduce, gas pushes by the piston rings, enough to start the car or will I have to take out the plugs? If I ever get this thing started again I will have the oil changed quickly. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.
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