Code Diagnosis on Legacy Outback 2.5L

Check for ignition problems, defective Crankshaft, camshaft position sensor, maybe defective cat

Sparky19 wrote:

The 130 seems to be FRONT O2 specifically. I've read many times of folks having problems with aftermarket sensors. Maybe an OEM sensor should be installed if it wasn't. I think better shops have ways to scope/test the sensors to make sure they aren't 'lazy' and are in the proper range. There are some tests also for cat. converters. Many things can cause a fuel trim issue. MAF, IACV, bad injector, maybe even the engine temp sensor (not the temp gauge sensor). Your car needs proper diagnosis before throwing more guess work at it.

Carl

Thanks for the replies. I'm digging deeper into all the other components now. MAF first, then other components, maily the ignition. But I thought a bad injector would throw a separate code? And Ignition component malfunctions would make the car run badly. It runs great except for fuel consumption.

Sean

The Engine Temp sensor is famous for going bad with no 'direct' code pointing to it. And it often has very subtle symptoms except for poor mileage (basically, it can fail such that the ECU thinks the engine is always cold - forcing a 'choke' condition all the time instead of during warm-up only) If the car runs well, it may not be the MAF (yay!) as it will often cause stalling and rough running. IACV might also cause rough idling. Sometimes bad converters cause 'bogging' especially at highway speeds/under load and warmed up. The rear O2 sensor usually has a longer life that the front one and the code seems to point to the front anyway.....dunno I suppose the ECU could be bad. I would be very tempted to change the Eng. Temp sensor if I couldn't find a good soob mechanic to diagnose it for me. (on most soobs, it is next to the temp. gauge sensor but may have 3 wires? IIRC?)

good luck and let us know what you discover.

Carl