Girl Scooby driver needs help!
25 April 2007, 08:45 AM
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Girl Scooby driver needs help!
Hiya, I am a new member & was just wondering if anyone could help me? I have a Impreza Turbo P-reg & have a little problem with my baby!! She is not running quite right & I dont know why! She seems to miss fire & lack power every now & again like its gona stall but doesnt, you put your foot down & then its ok?! Its more bugging than anything & I am female so like things to be right hehe! I have changed the spark plugs, it has been serviced, any ideas what could be causing this? The exhaust seems to be popping more than normal too. Any ideas would be great!! Thanks xxxx
25 April 2007, 08:51 AM
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Hello there
I've got the same problem with my classic ra, been to the garage and they told me it is the MAF sensor, approx £90. hopefully the same fault and hope its not too serious, apparently the MAF (mass air flow) sensor is a very common fault
I've got the same problem with my classic ra, been to the garage and they told me it is the MAF sensor, approx £90. hopefully the same fault and hope its not too serious, apparently the MAF (mass air flow) sensor is a very common fault
25 April 2007, 08:51 AM
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You could do worse than get the MAF Sensor checked out ...... I think if you disconnect it and the fault/rough running remains the same then it could point to a new sensor required.
Carb Cleaner has been known to help (squirted inside the Induction Airflow)
Or it could be a new one required?
Carb Cleaner has been known to help (squirted inside the Induction Airflow)
Or it could be a new one required?
25 April 2007, 08:53 AM
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I would add that MAF Failures are ONLY common on cars with aftermarket Induction Kits ............................ keep the Subaru set-up and they don't give trouble.
Have you got an aftermarket Induction Kit fitted??
Have you got an aftermarket Induction Kit fitted??
25 April 2007, 09:49 AM
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Hi ScoobyNess 
Welcome
Probably your Lambda sensor (oxygen sensor in the exhaust) that is knackered. Especially if the problem goes away when you put your foot down.
The engine management uses signals form both the Lambda and MAF (air flow) sensor when pootling around as its in closed loop mode to keep the emissions in trim. Once you put your foot down and the turbo spools up the engine management goes into open loop mode. The signal from the Lamba sensor is then ignored and signals from the MAF and MAP (boost pressure) are used instead. Emissions then go out the window as fuel is poured in to cope with the extra air being forced in by the turbo
Hope that helps.
PS. Something you must learn quickly on this site is to ignore PSLewis he thinks he knows what he's talking about but in fact knows nothing and is deluded
Welcome Probably your Lambda sensor (oxygen sensor in the exhaust) that is knackered. Especially if the problem goes away when you put your foot down.
The engine management uses signals form both the Lambda and MAF (air flow) sensor when pootling around as its in closed loop mode to keep the emissions in trim. Once you put your foot down and the turbo spools up the engine management goes into open loop mode. The signal from the Lamba sensor is then ignored and signals from the MAF and MAP (boost pressure) are used instead. Emissions then go out the window as fuel is poured in to cope with the extra air being forced in by the turbo
Hope that helps.
PS. Something you must learn quickly on this site is to ignore PSLewis he thinks he knows what he's talking about but in fact knows nothing and is deluded
25 April 2007, 09:50 AM
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Sounds like the same symptoms I had when my MAF sensor failed. Another sign is an uneven idle - when sat at traffic lights, do the revs keep going up and down?
Oh, and I haven't got an aftermarket induction kit so they do fail on the standard Subaru setup.
Oh, and I haven't got an aftermarket induction kit so they do fail on the standard Subaru setup.
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25 April 2007, 09:51 AM
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Hiya! Thanks for your help, I think I will try that sensor & see what happens! I have got after market dump valve (Forge) but I wana leave it on cus I love the shhhhhhhhh sound when I change gear haha! Especially fun under bridges!! xx
25 April 2007, 09:55 AM
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25 April 2007, 10:03 AM
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Ahhh, vent to atmosphere (VTA) dump valves are also well known to cause the problems described. For the sake of decent running try switching back to an original Subaru dump valve and see if it makes a difference. Whilst the whoosh may be a cool thing Subaru engine management doesn't seem to cope too well with the changes that a VTA dumpvalve makes to airflow.
25 April 2007, 10:11 AM
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No engine light is on so hopefully that is a good thing! Have any of you had the same problem when it rains, no that sounds weird but it does it when it rains sometimes haha! Really appreciate all your help, I had no idea what to do now I have loads to try whop whop!
25 April 2007, 10:16 AM
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No engine light is on so hopefully that is a good thing! Have any of you had the same problem when it rains, no that sounds weird but it does it when it rains sometimes haha! Really appreciate all your help, I had no idea what to do now I have loads to try whop whop!
25 April 2007, 11:30 AM
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Haha! Should I be up-set that I didnt get more replies he he! Thanks for the advise gona try the sensor I reckon! Will keep ya posted!!
25 April 2007, 11:50 AM
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I know this is a real GIRL question but is the MAF & Lambda sensor the same thing?! Haha! It does have uneven idle when it starts up for a few seconds?..............
25 April 2007, 11:56 AM
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Can't help with anymore advice than what has already been given but love the way everyone is being so civil me included 
MAF and Lambda are different sensors. One sense air coming in (MAF) and one sense gases coming out (Lambda)
Probably best to take it to someone who a) won't see a girl and try to blag and b) knows what they are on about re:imprezas. Only suggest this as its quite hard to diagnose a problem over the internet and wouldn't want you to go buying parts and it still not right.
me included MAF and Lambda are different sensors. One sense air coming in (MAF) and one sense gases coming out (Lambda)
Probably best to take it to someone who a) won't see a girl and try to blag and b) knows what they are on about re:imprezas. Only suggest this as its quite hard to diagnose a problem over the internet and wouldn't want you to go buying parts and it still not right.
25 April 2007, 12:01 PM
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The MAF sensor sits in the engines air intake just after the air filter. It's job is to measure the amount (and density) of the air flowing into the engine.
The Lambda or O2 sensor is in the exhaust pipe, just after the turbo on Scoob, and monitors the exhaust gases to ensure that the engine is burning all of the fuel (i.e. cleanly) during closed loop fuelling. It looks a bit like a spark plug screwed into the exhaust with a few wires coming off it.
On your P-reg I suspect you have the "hot wire" type MAF, not so easy to replace as it comes as part of the air intake system. You can however clean them carefully with a cotton bud soaked in carb or brake cleaner. The later models have a cartridge type MAF which you just replace with a new one (£80 from dealers).
The Lambda is the same for all classics. It can be cleaned but your better off replacing it in there is any suspicion its dead. About £80 - £100 from dealers.
Hope that helps
BTW Are you fit?
25 April 2007, 12:15 PM
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WTF....!?!
Look lady, you car is broke, you ain't gonna fix it..... so the best thing is for you to take it to a garage and let them sort it
Now stop flirting and sort it out
Look lady, you car is broke, you ain't gonna fix it..... so the best thing is for you to take it to a garage and let them sort it
Now stop flirting and sort it out
25 April 2007, 01:04 PM
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Hi its deffo the Maf , i had this twice and yes it was worse when sucking damp air in ( the rain ) is you bonnet vent open over the open filter, you can clean the Maf off with carb cleaner, if your local to the westmidlands i will fix it for you,
mick
mick
25 April 2007, 01:15 PM
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Haha! I am lady & I will defo take it to a garage, just trying to figure out wots up with my baby! I work at a lorry garage so I am trying to find out what sensor it is so someone can replace it for me if I flutter my eye lashes at them!! Oi oi!!
25 April 2007, 01:24 PM
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25 April 2007, 01:25 PM
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Usual causes for hesitation are, and in increasing £££ to fix.....
Fuel - any change in fuel lately?
Sparkplugs/gaps - done in your case
Cleaning MAF with brake cleaner
Cleaning up Lambda/O2 sensor
BOV sticking
inspecting coil packs for cracks and replacing
Lambda sensor replacement
replacing MAF
Popping from the exhaust suggests a misfire
Hope this helps
-J
Fuel - any change in fuel lately?
Sparkplugs/gaps - done in your case
Cleaning MAF with brake cleaner
Cleaning up Lambda/O2 sensor
BOV sticking
inspecting coil packs for cracks and replacing
Lambda sensor replacement
replacing MAF
Popping from the exhaust suggests a misfire
Hope this helps
-J
25 April 2007, 01:30 PM
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No they're definitely not!
The MAF sensor sits in the engines air intake just after the air filter. It's job is to measure the amount (and density) of the air flowing into the engine.
The Lambda or O2 sensor is in the exhaust pipe, just after the turbo on Scoob, and monitors the exhaust gases to ensure that the engine is burning all of the fuel (i.e. cleanly) during closed loop fuelling. It looks a bit like a spark plug screwed into the exhaust with a few wires coming off it.
On your P-reg I suspect you have the "hot wire" type MAF, not so easy to replace as it comes as part of the air intake system. You can however clean them carefully with a cotton bud soaked in carb or brake cleaner. The later models have a cartridge type MAF which you just replace with a new one (£80 from dealers).
The Lambda is the same for all classics. It can be cleaned but your better off replacing it in there is any suspicion its dead. About £80 - £100 from dealers.
Hope that helps
BTW Are you fit?
The MAF sensor sits in the engines air intake just after the air filter. It's job is to measure the amount (and density) of the air flowing into the engine.
The Lambda or O2 sensor is in the exhaust pipe, just after the turbo on Scoob, and monitors the exhaust gases to ensure that the engine is burning all of the fuel (i.e. cleanly) during closed loop fuelling. It looks a bit like a spark plug screwed into the exhaust with a few wires coming off it.
On your P-reg I suspect you have the "hot wire" type MAF, not so easy to replace as it comes as part of the air intake system. You can however clean them carefully with a cotton bud soaked in carb or brake cleaner. The later models have a cartridge type MAF which you just replace with a new one (£80 from dealers).
The Lambda is the same for all classics. It can be cleaned but your better off replacing it in there is any suspicion its dead. About £80 - £100 from dealers.
Hope that helps
BTW Are you fit?
25 April 2007, 01:39 PM
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No they're definitely not!
The MAF sensor sits in the engines air intake just after the air filter. It's job is to measure the amount (and density) of the air flowing into the engine.
The Lambda or O2 sensor is in the exhaust pipe, just after the turbo on Scoob, and monitors the exhaust gases to ensure that the engine is burning all of the fuel (i.e. cleanly) during closed loop fuelling. It looks a bit like a spark plug screwed into the exhaust with a few wires coming off it.
On your P-reg I suspect you have the "hot wire" type MAF, not so easy to replace as it comes as part of the air intake system. You can however clean them carefully with a cotton bud soaked in carb or brake cleaner. The later models have a cartridge type MAF which you just replace with a new one (£80 from dealers).
The Lambda is the same for all classics. It can be cleaned but your better off replacing it in there is any suspicion its dead. About £80 - £100 from dealers.
Hope that helps
BTW Are you fit?
The MAF sensor sits in the engines air intake just after the air filter. It's job is to measure the amount (and density) of the air flowing into the engine.
The Lambda or O2 sensor is in the exhaust pipe, just after the turbo on Scoob, and monitors the exhaust gases to ensure that the engine is burning all of the fuel (i.e. cleanly) during closed loop fuelling. It looks a bit like a spark plug screwed into the exhaust with a few wires coming off it.
On your P-reg I suspect you have the "hot wire" type MAF, not so easy to replace as it comes as part of the air intake system. You can however clean them carefully with a cotton bud soaked in carb or brake cleaner. The later models have a cartridge type MAF which you just replace with a new one (£80 from dealers).
The Lambda is the same for all classics. It can be cleaned but your better off replacing it in there is any suspicion its dead. About £80 - £100 from dealers.
Hope that helps
BTW Are you fit?
How come I can't view the pics of your car?! ..................
25 April 2007, 02:31 PM
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Haha! Havn't got a pic of my baby on here yet but I might do 1 day!! Do you know what make MAF & Lambda sensor are? Trying to sort some parts!!
25 April 2007, 02:38 PM
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Certainly the MAF is a dealer only type thing.
Lambda can be replaced with a generic one, three wire narrow band job as far as I remember but it won't have the right connector on it so you either need to be useful with a soldering iron or get one from the Subaru main dealers that does have the correct connector.
Seriously though get it diagnosed properly first, just swapping bits for the sake of it because you think they may be duff is an expensive way to sort the problem. Whereabouts are you? We can point you in the direction of your nearest specialist
25 April 2007, 02:58 PM
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Errr - Subaru
Certainly the MAF is a dealer only type thing.
Lambda can be replaced with a generic one, three wire narrow band job as far as I remember but it won't have the right connector on it so you either need to be useful with a soldering iron or get one from the Subaru main dealers that does have the correct connector.
Seriously though get it diagnosed properly first, just swapping bits for the sake of it because you think they may be duff is an expensive way to sort the problem. Whereabouts are you? We can point you in the direction of your nearest specialist
Certainly the MAF is a dealer only type thing.
Lambda can be replaced with a generic one, three wire narrow band job as far as I remember but it won't have the right connector on it so you either need to be useful with a soldering iron or get one from the Subaru main dealers that does have the correct connector.
Seriously though get it diagnosed properly first, just swapping bits for the sake of it because you think they may be duff is an expensive way to sort the problem. Whereabouts are you? We can point you in the direction of your nearest specialist