Dan Newlands

Hi,

New to Scoobynet and Scoobies.

I recently purchased an MY96 WRX and it ran totally fine. I changed the recirc valve for a dump to atmosphere and it ran fine for a few weeks, but over the last month or two it has felt very hesitant under reasonable load, too juddery to suggest a missfire, but not aggresive as fuel cut descriptions, more as if the boost is struggling to be held.

I tried a few different homemade shims on the dump valve with no joy, and refitted the original no joy.

I found scoobynet and did a few searches, I have read quite a bit about cleaning the solenoid and felt this was worth a try. Whislt reading I noted info about a brass restrictor in the hose to the air intake from the solenoid. I removed the 3 hoses for cleaning and discovered there is no restrictor in the hose to the air intake (a samco style aftermarket silicone hose clearly fitted post factory).

Is this therefore likely to be my problem, and even if it isn't do I need to find/create some kind of a replacement?

Thanks

Dan

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

You can buy a replacement from Subaru themselves for about £3 but i thought that without it you would get a simple overboost problem.

Dan Newlands

Unfortunately there is no boost gauge to see what boost is peaking and holding at, but it certainly doesn't fuel cut. Do the restrictors from subaru then need drilling or are they ready drilled?

Dan

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

They should be pre drilled but i'm afraid i don't know what size it should be.

i think your problem isn't the restrictor (although most probably not helping).
Plugs,coilpacks are possible culprits maybe a weak actuator.

Dan Newlands

Ok, I'll see what I can find out on the pills then.

Plugs were actually my first swap, seemingly they weren't the problem, I'm not sure about the coils, can you check these with an HT lead spark tester?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Normally the coil packs crack at the plug end under so you may have to remove them and have a look (never used a HT lead tester so can't say if they can be checked with it sorry)

Dan Newlands

Thanks for all your help I appreciate it.

Its only at 4-5k rpm that I start getting the problem so i guess even if a tester works it may not reveal an issue higher up anyway. I looked at the contacts of the coils when changing the plugs and didn't notice any cracks on the brass/gold contacts that connect to them.

Is it possible the problem could be from the MAF? I dont however have the idling issues I've read some have had with faulty MAFs.

One last thing......I have checked the ECU error codes and it showed a faultly lambda sensor, replacement on its way. Could it be that?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Well i'm sure the lambda failing isn't helping.
It may be a MAF issue which should be checked asap imo.

Damaged Coilpack

Dan Newlands

Thanks for the pic, I may have to take back out and check the black casings under the rubber bungs.

How do I check the MAF?

bigvern

iTrader: (1)

I think you unplug it whilst the engine is running, if it doesn't make a difference then there's a fault with it...

Damocell

iTrader: (1)

do you have a MY96 with a front or top entry turbo?

I have a MY96 WRX with a front entry which came with a 2 port boost solenoid not a 3 port.

If it is a 2 port then you do not have a restrictor in the intake pipe to the solenoid it is in the pipe from the compressor housing.

Does it look like the system here: How Subaru's Factory Boost Control System Works v1[1] 01

If not, sorry for not really helping

Damo

Dan Newlands

Its definitely a 3 port, i'll try and pick up a replacement from Subaru on monday.

I'll also try the various other potential fixes to my original problem over the weekend