Non-Toyota: Subaru WRX Issues

[RobST162]

Orlando, thanks for the report... dude, can you just tell me where that sensor is on the subys? I'll do the same.. can I use carby clearner or should I get MAF sensor cleaner (I've seen it at supercheap)

[mattysshop]

are you using a non paper air filter in the subie?? i know that my mates one started playing up again due to a heavilly oiled K&N filter (like the way you buy them out of the box)... cleaned it, and only very very lightly oiled the filter.. cleaned the MAF with contact cleaner and presto... no probs then he sold it months later..

[RobST162]

yeah Mum's been running a K&N which was re-oiled a while back..

[allencr]

What's the compression?? Also good time for looking at the plugs.

I changed them about 50000km ago.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Haven't checked the compression, anything involving the spark plug holes is a bastard, so I try to avoid it I'll change the plugs soon though, probably on the weekend. I'll give the MAF another clean while I'm there (have to remove it to get to the drivers side plugs.

I reset the ECU on the short drive home last night, figured letting it have its initial learning on a dirty MAF wasn't the best idea. This morning warmed it up sedately and built some boost against the brake on the freeway. Given the way it was driving this morning, I'm pretty sure it's fixed, well until something else stuffs up.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

are you using a non paper air filter in the subie?? i know that my mates one started playing up again due to a heavilly oiled K&N filter (like the way you buy them out of the box)... cleaned it, and only very very lightly oiled the filter.. cleaned the MAF with contact cleaner and presto... no probs then he sold it months later..

Yeah, turns out the filter was a K&N, hadn't been cleaned for a while, so didn't realise. It was looking pretty second hand, so I just replaced it with a Ryco one. For $13, I think I'll be doing that instead more often.

yeah Mum's been running a K&N which was re-oiled a while back..

That would do it, the hot wire gets a coating of oil from the filter. The stuff I used to clean it was contact cleaner. They didn't have MAF sensor cleaner, but I'd imagine it's very similar. I cleaned it 3 times over about an hour and a bit, allowing around 30 mins between each one. The sensor is attached to the airbox, it's a tube with a plug coming out the middle of it. It should have mesh at one end. You should be able to see a metal wire from one side, that's what needs to be cleaned. I generally concentrate on the wire, but bombard all the open parts of the sensor for good measure.

[wagonist]

Yes, subarus are very fussy about the oiling of reusable filters. Especially as the MAF sensor is bolted directly to the airbox.

When were the injectors last serviced? I've never bought a Subaru that didn't need them doing.

I'm not sure about the 00 models, but the wasteline is uber long. Ie runs from inlet manifold to the right strut tower where the factory boost control is, & then back to the wastegate.

I don't know why you're worried about changing the clutch. It's about a 4 hour job (after you've done it more than once...). Better than a 4 day job on a GT4 or EVO.
Remove radiator
unplug everything off engine (throttle cable, fuel lines, dump pipe, electrical plugs)
remove starter motor
remove clutch fork pivot from inside of box
unbolt engine from box (8 bolts)
unbolt engine mounts
remove engine
change clutch
reinstall in reverse order

90% of the work is done from above the car & you don't have to worry about losing any fluids beside the coolant.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Injectors have never been serviced.

Yes, being longitudinal and relatively easy to remove the engine is one thing. Not having to do it at all is much easier

[wagonist]

I would recommend getting the injectors done. After 220 000km they are going to be seriously clagged. They are not hard to remove yourself & will cost about $100 to have serviced.

Agreed on the clutch. If it don't need touching, then don't. It's just easier doing it that way than removing the gearbox.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Even if it's lived solely on a diet of Ultimate 98, has had regular injector cleaner and has never gotten a bad tank of fuel?

[wagonist]

An injector service is not just a clean.

The injectors get magnetized. They are an electro magnet that opens & shuts many times per second, think about how many times that would be in 220 000km.

Being self magnetized, this interferes with the way the electro magnet works.

The seals are also replaced, which could be letting fuel either escape from the engine (microscopic), or air being introduced in.

I just had my Toyota ones done after 12 years/100 000km. They varied in flow rate by 20% & none of them were flowing fully. They're recommended to be done every 100 000km.

[87lux]

another thing to think about is using genuine upper engine cleaner. I believe it's a common problem with subaru engines and it can make a great difference to performace. The amount of crap that comes out the exhaust once you use it is unbelieveable and if you haven't used it before at 220km it'd need it for sure

[87lux]

here's a great example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coZVp...eature=related

[DreadAngel]

There is a MAF Cleaner from memory under the brand name CnC in Supercheap, but isn't replenished all that often...

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Yeah, can't imagine the formula is too different from the contact cleaner, it's designed to do the same sort of thing, it's just not branded for auto stuff. I found it in Autopro

On a side note, I will look into the engine cleaner. I'll do it in a couple of thousand km's when I change the oil, and I'll do the plugs then as well.