stevie 54 wrx swagon

Hello, this is my first post. 2 weeeks ago I test drove my first subaru, a 54 wrx sportwagon, standard car in vgc with 34K. After about 100 yds the decision was made and it's now in my drive.
Up until 2 or 3 days back I was very impressed with the cars performance, particularly acceleration, but recently it has started to feel slower as if the turbo is not giving the same boost. It may be my imagination but the engine also sounds more 'raspy' than before ( it's been driven fairly quickly but nothing stupid ).
I last filled it up at Tescos ( normal unleaded ) and am wondering if that could be the problem. Has anyone else noticed this?
There is also occasionaly the sound of running water behind the dash - no leaks or overheating problems - but is that common?
Finally, it was serviced before I bought it and I noticed that the oil level is over the high mark - could that affect it?
Definately finally, I averaged 23mpg when I first got it but that's dropped to 21 even though driven slower than before.
Your thoughts would be appreciated - Steve

stotty1

i would think you have got used to the power this is common

rushing water is just water in the heater matrix mine does this too

petrol not sure but again probably you getting used to power so more right foot are you town driving etc

cheers

timmy2take

iTrader: (7)

Is it an import? If so needs to be run on V power or 99 Ron.

Don't know why it would sound raspier than before though, did you buy from a dealer? If not, take it to your closest Subaru specialist so you get a no-nonsense approach to what might be up with it.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Normal unleaded will reduce the power and fuel economy slightly, if the car has been run on super unleaded previously.
Its a bit of false economy really, it costs the same to run the car on super as it does on unleaded, plus it will feel better on super even though it can quite happily run on unleaded.

Tony

PantsUK

iTrader: (1)

may well be youre fuel especially if you've got an import.

I know what tony mean but mine (the only thing I can go on) is a UK car be it a new shape and it doesn't like standard unleaded at all!

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

That's your problem!

Scoobies will only run optimally on SUL. V power generally regarded as best, Tesco 99 RON also good.

Quit being a cheapskate and get some SUL in there!

Ns04

stevie 54 wrx swagon

Thanks for that guys. I'll run it right down ( shouldn't take long! ) and fill it up with super.
Fingers crossed.

Steve

timmy2take

iTrader: (7)

I'd still take it somewhere though to check out that raspy noise you were saying about.

timmy2take

iTrader: (7)

U may need to reset your ecu as well, do a search on the forum about reseting it.

stevie 54 wrx swagon

Thanks again. I've done a search on resetting the ECu and am now more confused than before! Its a Uk standard car, not sure what fuel the previous owner ran it on. I filled up a couple of times with shell UL but the last time at Tescos, since when it's not been running as well.
There seems to be several points of view on the ECU. Will it eventually reset itself, will disconnecting the battery work, or is the only way to get the dealer to reset it - not my desired choice as they will no doubt be expensive and I'm already way over budget and getting pelters from the better half!
thanks again.
Steve.

Meallbhan

iTrader: (3)

Just another comment on fuel. In my experience normal unleaded is crap. I used it when I first got my scoob then went onto V-Power. Using normal UL at top end the car was doing funny things and seemed to lack power. V-Power is by far the best but a bit dear now, so am now using SUL with no problems.

trails

iTrader: (41)

the ECU is self learning so does not require a power cycling. If it had been previously running on SUL then the ECU would have been expected a higher octane value and the reduction in performance will be the ECU learning about the new RON rated fuel.

as a rule standard cars are pretty bombproof, its only when you start modding it you may experience problems

hth

stevie 54 wrx swagon

Thanks again