Starting problem Subaru Legacy Wagon

Help!!! I was driving on the highway today back home, the weather was rough it was raining and very windy. The vehicle was acting normal, i pulled over to get some gas at a full service gas station. I had the window open on the side that the gas is pumped into the car to pay the attendant. when fueled i turned the car on and began to drive. about a half a block up the road the car turned off on me. I pulled over and cranked the car. it simulated a start however it didn't crank over just kepted on cranking. this is probably a coincidence. now i am very observant with my vehichle, I was on a trip to New York from PA. I take this trip at least twice a week for work, now first thing prior to the problem that i did notice was that the gas level indicated I had wasted almost a half of tank prior to reaching my destination of

100miles, 5 to 10 miles before my destination the needle on the gas gauge increased one eight to a little past the half tank mark. i found this odd. on my way back i monitored the gas gauge carefully hence the reason for a second stop to refuel prior to my arrival back home. I am not sure if the fuel indications today, or the possibility of rain going into my tank have any cause to the problem I am experiencing or maybe its just a coincidence. my car is a Subaru Legacy Wagon 1996 an has a little over 220K, please help. I am a courier, without my car i will not be able to work, please anything that can guide me in the right direction, I don't have money to make unnecessary replacements at this time, i am afraid to be replaced at work without my Car. Please Help thank you Blas
Reply to
blas_pa
Loading thread data ...

The sypmtoms SEEM consistent with 'bad gas' (water) or a clogged fuel filter. Normally, 'mechanic in a can'-type repairs are a waste, but HEET or similar 'gas dryer' MIGHT be helpful in your situation IF there is water in your fuel.

Carl

Reply to
Carl 1 Lucky Texan

Possible you got enuf water in the gas to cause this, but doesn't seem real likely. What I _have_ seen cause this sort of problem (especially in wet weather) is bad plug wires.

Open the hood with the engine idling and listen for the tic-tic sound of a spark going somewhere where it shouldn't, particularly in the vicinity of the coil pack. (Under that plastic cover, if it's still there. Pull straight up to remove.) If you're brave, try running your finger around the coils, and along the plug wires between the coils and plug cap. Er, um, if there's a problem, you'll find it . . . Probably a better way is to have a look at night with the engine idling; look for visible sparks, or a (cool-looking) blue glow along the wires as the cylinder fires. Easiest thing by far is to simply install a new set of wires (easy to do, and get _good_ ones that fit correctly), and see if that doesn't make things better. FWIW, if the car has 200+K miles on the original wires, or even 50 or 60K on aftermarket ones, they're _way_ due replacement in any event.

I have observed many "odd" driveability issues solved with a set of good plug wires. Maybe yours will be one of them; write back and let me know.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB Laboratory Manager Microelectronics Research University of Colorado (719) 262-3101

Reply to
S

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.