I have just read this statement:-

The Subaru Impreza suffers badly from fuel surge when the fuel level drops below 1/4 tank. This can cause misfires or even the complete destruction of the engine if the car is being used hard.

It has come from an apparently trusted source, I havent heard this before and am a little disturbed that the gullible could believe it!!!! - OR, is it true??

Pete

True apparently Pete more noticable on track days, although I haven't come across it.

I know of one of my suppliers who are workiing on a fix.

Jamie

www.j-w-racing.com
www.performanceexhausts.net

[Edited by Jamie Whitfield - 4/19/2002 10:32:21 PM]

You not trying to sell me something else are you??? ;)

I ALWAYS run my Scoobie at 1/4 tank or less!!!

Pete

LOL I gave up on that a long time ago mate!

I just use you for slogans! ;)

Jamie

It is certainly my experience of them. Particularly noticeable on trackdays where you are on about 1/4 fuel.

D

Yes this is true for my MY99 turbo :(
Mine surges when powering WOT 2nd gear from right to left on rounderbouts in the dry.... half second complete loss of power before full power again !
It only occurs with 1/4 or less in tank....
I am a bit concered at the damage it may be doing so will look into getting some anti-surge device/foam.
Pete

Pete, doubt if it damages beyond annoyance - it is all to do with baffles in the fuel tank. This is why rally cars' fuel tanks are full of solid foam!

My previous TVR used to do it too, and this was very annoying if you were getting the back end out leaving the pub - about all you could do with it after all!

D ;)

So? as Subaru havent issued a recall, can I assume that if you are driving sensibly - there is NO problem at all??

However, if you are trying your best to shag your car out on a track day - it 'may' be an issue??

I must say I havent experienced anything untoward - but I DO drive like an old man, treat my little baby with respect, never go over 3000RPM and/or 60mph!! ;)

Pete

I wouldn't say 72 was that old! ;)

PS

You really must try chucking it into a left hander, with the yellow petrol light on - once you get the cash that is!

D ;)

My MY97 used to do it real bad... had to stop mid way round the ring in July cos of it :(

Diesel - yes, when I get the dosh I may well do that!! ;) would be better if I got to keep the LOT mind you!! :D

Weird that I havent read anything about this ever before??

Pete

Not been reading the Powerstation site have you Pete ? ;)

True by accounts.

It's the first post you've made that ISN'T a load of bollox.

I thought everyone knew about this, as everyone I know suffers with it. As I understand it, it's a blanket issue covering all pre '01 cars (good reason to have a WRX?), which I find marginally worse on the P1 than on my old '98. All the roundabouts around here make it more apparent.

A mechanic once told me that there's a rib/hump running front to back in the tank, which causes a enough delay in the fuel settling after a right hander to cause the surge. I don't know if that's the sole reason, but I have recently spoken to Prodrive about it, and there is currently no solution available.

Or in 'That's Life' tradition....Do you know different?

Josh

I thought everybody knew about this one. I've never experienced it in my MY00, even on the track but have been in other Scoob's on the track where it has happened.

About the point that it doesn't cause any real damage I think is wrong. Going totally lean for a couple of seconds is really not a good thing for the engine and a guy from APS said that they think that the majority of problems with blow ups and things like No.3 going, is down to this.

I guess the answer is, if you're going on track or want to drive fast on the road, make sure you've got more than a 1/4 of a tank.

Matt :)

Agree with you Josh, I'm lucky to have both a MY00 & a P1 in which it is much more noticeable.

Pete, I'm a bit concerned to hear this can damage the engine? Has this ever been confirmed? :(

Steve_F

hmm, do the pre 96 cars suffer with smaller fuel tanks???

intresting reading, ive got an STi2 running 300+bhp and to be honest this is a new one on me..
regards
andy

It's the first post you've made that ISN'T a load of bollox.
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Now, If I could have had a £ for everytime that has been said on here to me!! ;)
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I really havent noticed this surging - I DO drive the car with respect, I dont believe in taking machinery to within a whisper of its mechanical life (and then moan that a piston has melted :rolleyes: !!!)

As for the statement containing the words 'Complete Destruction of Engine' - I find that scaremongering in the extreme (in order to sell something!!) I would like to SEE the evidence for such a statement!

Pete

[Edited by pslewis - 4/20/2002 11:18:56 AM]

I have the same problem on my gtir only it's if I have less than about 1/2 a tank,went to overtake a lorry today and it cut out forcing me to pull back in and look a tit.It also happens on pulling out from junctions etc.It's annoying as on quarter miles,track days etc I have to keep above 1/2 tank and carry extra weight round.If you fit a fuel swirl pot it should cure it-as previously mentioned powerstation sell them,look on NEWS.

I have to admit I haven't really noticed mine doing that, but I tend to try to keep her topped up anyway :)

If an engine "goes lean" of fuel for a couple of seconds, how can this cause damage? I always thought fuel had no lubrication properties, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Before I get flamed, I'm a layman, not an engineer :)

Yep,

Suffered with this also...especially on track coming out of right handers :( having then researched the problem the solution came in the form of an excellent piece of kit via Powerstation (as previously mentioned) Swirl pot with uprated fuel pump....grand bit of kit for sure...In the 5 weeks of having it I've done several track days and allowed the fuel to drop as far as the reserve light coming on (Bedford SIDC day) and not a hic-up..a stutter or a fart (barring me of course :D)

Just my input peeps :)

Cost was circa £350 plus fitting (approx 2-3 hours)+ VAT !!

I take it this would cause the car to cut out then??
that explains it if this is so, I have been suffering with this since I got the car. It happens regular when I turn on my driveway, which is is a 90 degree right-hander, but @ only 10mph.

I do try to keep the tank under half or less most of the time, no spare wheel either;)....just to keep the weight down:D:D

shunty

Ok, BUT heres another question then:-

Should Powerstation make a sweeping statement that it could cause the Complete Destruction of your Engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If this is the case then subaru would have to answer a case for having to pay for engines destroyed whilst running weak!!

Come on, Powerstation, cut the dramatics and keep to stating that surging can occur - eh??

Pete

Josh,

I never noticed any fuel surge when I had my P1..... however you may find it 'normal' when pulling the sort of 'g' force you look to be doing around MK's roundabouts... ;) :D

Cheers,

Gastro

Perhaps if you all got better jobs than paper rounds you wouldn't need to drive round on 1/4 of a tank.

Pete,

If the car goes very lean, and you are at high boost, WOT, the engine can quite easily go det, det, det, bang.

Quite easy to understand if you ask me. ;)

(Edited for typos)

[Edited by IWatkins - 4/20/2002 4:35:27 PM]

don't want to comment on companies sales methods, but fuel surge is a well known problem, on cars after '96.

It's common sense, that if the engine leans out due to fuel starvation, it's going to run very hot, det', and if it continues for too long (seconds) cause engine damage.

If you don't currently get the problem, just be aware of it, if you intend going on track.

Cheap solution, keep the tank above 1/4 full.

If you're really into trackdays, then a fuel surge tank, and uprated pump are worth the money, although it doesn't have to cost circa £500....... you could solve the problem for 1/2 that.

Mark.

Yep,

I used to get it on my MY99 at Donno :( when down below 1/4 full and powering out of the R/H hairpin behind pit straight :( but didn't happen on the L/H hairpin onto Pit straight:rolleyes:
I thought I fecked the engine:eek: kept it fairly full from then on:D even if it was £1 a Litre.

Tony