Random Stalling; O-ring help

MaiPenRai · #1 02-20-2006, 11:39 AM

Hi everyone,

I've been scouring the forum all morning looking for folks who've had similar problems, found a lot of threads, but don't know where to start...

I have a '92 lsi with just over 70k miles and today as I was driving home she stalled on me 4 times, while driving...No warning lights/check engine or anything (though all the indicator lights come on when the engine shut off). It started back up with no problem each time, though idle seemed lower than normal, ~1-1500rpm. The first time I was giving her a good bit of gas, the subsequent times I was going slower on a back road.

(This has happened once before when starting cold a couple of weeks ago, I just parked it and rode my bike to school instead.)

My issue is that I'm a quite poor college student (so I'd like to get it right the first time!) and pretty ignorant of the "magic" of cars in general

, so my question is what can I do to narrow down the likely culprits, and save myself the "shotgun" approach to fixes? I see MAF sensor issues and crankshaft angle sensor suggestions, but honestly I'm pretty clueless. Even a link to a relevant thread could help. I'm no gearhead but I do have a Chilton book for the SVX (and other Subies)...Still, anything *too* in depth will probably be handled by my mechanic.

The 60k service is overdue, and was next on my list when I got some money coming in; could that have anything to do with it?

Also, I haven't found any place in Orlando that carries the proper size O-ring for the PS pump...Any leads or internet vendors that could help? The seller of the car and my mechanic both told me I'd need to replace the ps pump (it's pretty leaky) but from my searching O-ring replacement looks to be a cheaper first attempt at a fix.

Much thanks for any help!
--Asher

Budfreak · #2 02-20-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaiPenRai

Hi everyone,

I've been scouring the forum all morning looking for folks who've had similar problems, found a lot of threads, but don't know where to start...

I have a '92 lsi with just over 70k miles and today as I was driving home she stalled on me 4 times, while driving...No warning lights/check engine or anything (though all the indicator lights come on when the engine shut off). It started back up with no problem each time, though idle seemed lower than normal, ~1-1500rpm. The first time I was giving her a good bit of gas, the subsequent times I was going slower on a back road.

(This has happened once before when starting cold a couple of weeks ago, I just parked it and rode my bike to school instead.)

My issue is that I'm a quite poor college student (so I'd like to get it right the first time!) and pretty ignorant of the "magic" of cars in general

, so my question is what can I do to narrow down the likely culprits, and save myself the "shotgun" approach to fixes? I see MAF sensor issues and crankshaft angle sensor suggestions, but honestly I'm pretty clueless. Even a link to a relevant thread could help. I'm no gearhead but I do have a Chilton book for the SVX (and other Subies)...Still, anything *too* in depth will probably be handled by my mechanic.

The 60k service is overdue, and was next on my list when I got some money coming in; could that have anything to do with it?

Also, I haven't found any place in Orlando that carries the proper size O-ring for the PS pump...Any leads or internet vendors that could help? The seller of the car and my mechanic both told me I'd need to replace the ps pump (it's pretty leaky) but from my searching O-ring replacement looks to be a cheaper first attempt at a fix.

Much thanks for any help!
--Asher

I'd lean towards MAF. Check the codes in the computer and see if anything popped up. Get some electronics cleaner and try cleaning the MAF and see if it gets better or worse. Instructions for checking the codes are in the how to section.

Good luck and keep us informed.

P.S. www.subaruparts.com

ensteele · #3 02-20-2006, 03:05 PM

Get the o-ring from subaru-parts.com and you will be ready to go with that.

MaiPenRai · #4 02-20-2006, 11:31 PM

Thanks guys, I'll try that. And yeah, subaruparts.com, I should've known. This site rocks, btw. Such a great resource!

MaiPenRai · #5 02-21-2006, 09:17 AM

By the way, just to be clear: It's suggested I fill my ps pump reservoir with transmission fluid instead of ps fluid, correct? Why is that? The "How-To" instructions are pretty straightfoward...I really hope the new o-ring (on order) fixes my pump problem.

Also, any clues what a loud, high-pitched whine from the front of the engine could be? It often tends to lessen or go away when in gear.

Thanks!

dcarrb · #6 02-21-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaiPenRai

By the way, just to be clear: It's suggested I fill my ps pump reservoir with transmission fluid instead of ps fluid, correct? Why is that?

Factory spec is Dexron ATF. Products sold as "power stering fluid" won't hurt a thing, you'll just pay more for essentially the same stuff.

dcb

MaiPenRai · #7 02-25-2006, 12:11 PM

Well, I finally got some electronics cleaner for my MAF, now before I go out to do the deed, can someone tell me where exactly I should spray the stuff? Do I need to remove the sensor and just clean the connectors, or what? Much appreciated!

ensteele · #8 02-25-2006, 12:30 PM

It depends on the whine, but it cold be a bearing, water pump, power steering pump, or other. I would guess that it is a PS pump whine because of your o-ring. Fix that first and then go from there. Hope it fixes it.