GaryMonster

Hi, I've a MY00 kept as standard and just lately at around the 4,000 rpm mark the engine seems to stick/lag in all gears. It doesn't really seem to clear if I try to drive through it either, like it's not happy with the fuel or it can't get any air in. It feels like it needs good blast to clear the issue (like it's got a cold, y'know the feeling!).

Not sure I'm doing a good job of explaining the actually symptoms here!!! I've not taken it to my local dealer as yet (service due in a couple of months) but before I do and get a whacking bill is there anything simple I can check?.

Any help/advice/thoughts (thread related!) greatly appreciated

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Gary,

Don't put your foot down, keep it off boost. It sounds like your car may have gone into limp home mode, it does this when the ECU detects a fault to protect the engine. A likely candidate for this would be your maf, a notorious weak spot on My99/00s. If you drive the car hard with a dodgy maf, chances are you'll kill the engine.

Take it to a specialist NOT a dealer. MUCH better prices in the former and your chances of getting someone who has a clue are that much greater!

Getting the MAF checked along with other sensors is a 5 minute job with a laptop and should cost nothing/next to nothing! If your Maf is shot, you're looking at 80ish quid.

Keep the car off boost till you get it looked at though. If you tell us where you come from we can reccomend a specialist to look at it for you.

Ns04

GaryMonster

Thanks for the word of caution, I'll keep it well below the 4K rpm limit.

I'm in the North Herts area (Stevenage way) and also work in Hemel Hempstead ... who do you recommend as I normally take my car to the Subaru guys. Which leads me onto another question ... my car is full subaru history, seems a shame to not continue it but we all know they're not cheap and I've a belt change comming up to! What's people's thoughts on Subaru service and keeping that book up to date with their stamp?

Once again thanks for your help, hopefully you've saved me an engine.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

No problem. Glad to help.

With a car of your age, Subaru dealer stamps aren't as important for re-sale as they would have been when the car was 2-3 years old. If anything, most people understand these days that specialists provide better service and won't think any less of a service book with stamps from a specialist. The benefit to you is that you'll pay a lot less and enjoy the experience much more!

In Essex you have Xtreme Scoobies (where mine goes). I think Subaru4U are not to far away from you, Len, who works there is very highly thought of. I'd put a post up in general section asking for reccommendations in your area.

Ns04

GaryMonster

Cheers for the advice you're a star !!!

GaryMonster

UPDATE: The problem was caused by a faulty MAF.