EJ20 problem

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:31 pm

Hi all I have a MY07 liberty well its a company car but recently it has developed a problem it feels very slugish and its not just my car thats like this all the 2 Liter Libertys at work that have done over 70,000km have this problem. I thought it was the air filter first because it started around the same time as that duststorm so I changed that, new spark plus and leads and used a can of Subaru upper engine cleaner even the dealership does not know whats causing this or they claim.
All help i greatly appreciated:???:

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:32 am

pimp2plz wrote:Hi all I have a MY07 liberty well its a company car but recently it has developed a problem it feels very slugish and its not just my car thats like this all the 2 Liter Libertys at work that have done over 70,000km have this problem. I thought it was the air filter first because it started around the same time as that duststorm so I changed that, new spark plus and leads and used a can of Subaru upper engine cleaner even the dealership does not know whats causing this or they claim.
All help i greatly appreciated:???:

Has all of them been serviced at the same place?

lunatech · Post by **lunatech** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:40 pm

perhaps the fuel filter or pump?

Seems like pretty low km at just 70,000, but could be.

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:33 pm

Yes its always been serviced at the same place. And I doumbt it could be the fuel filter or pump as this has happend to 20 other cars.

lunatech · Post by **lunatech** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:03 pm

Has the fuel consumption changed?

Just seems to me that nothing in that car should wear out this soon, not even tires. Is it an auto or manual transmission? If it's auto, could dust have contaminated the fluid? It doesn't seem likely, however dust can get into places that amaze me. Maybe try a reset of the ECU. I don't know how this is done on newer vehicles (mine's a '90) but it shouldn't hurt anything.

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:52 pm

The more I think about it the more I think the service center is doing something funny.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 2:54 am

pimp2plz wrote:The more I think about it the more I think the service center is doing something funny.

I don't think that they are doing anything on purpose but more to the point of not being fully aware of Subaru engines. My guess (as I don't have the cars to perform any test) is that the service centre is using oil that is too thick for the engine. All new Subaru engines require a very specific type of oil and if they are using a general grade/brand then this maybe the problem. I have had many serviced many Subies and in lots of cases it was just an oil change and the customer has come back and asked what I'd done to their car... I always are worried at first what they are referring to but they say the car has never run so good. I use Motul oil for customers cars but found from my experiences that BP Visco 5000 works the best for price over performance. I now give customers the option.

Sorry for the long reply but hope you get the cars fixed. Keep us informed of the outcome.

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:59 am

Seems to have goten worse now it feels like the engine is being starved when you try to pick up speed. Starting to think the fuel filter is at fault. If it matters I only use 98 octane.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:42 am

If fuel is an issue then 98 should help not make it worse?? if the fuel filter is starter to clog up after 70k then I'd change the fuel station you go to. Some people that bring their car to me for their 200k service have never had their fuel filter changed. I would definitely go through the basics to check for the problem. Take it to someone that has worked on your model and get them to run a few tests.

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:33 am

So just came back from Subaru and had the fuel filter swapped and oil changed its a bit better but still feels sluggish.

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:31 pm

Its back now the engine warning light come on randomly.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:12 pm

Sounds like it's time to take it to the dealership and get them to reclaim all the history on the codes.. I'm sure ther is something there that will help find your problem

drof351 · Post by **drof351** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:14 pm

Put a fuel pressure gauge on it. Tell you straight away if its a blocked filter

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:03 pm

Oxygen sensor? Blocked catalytic converter? Pretty good chance it's either one of these seeing as they are all going at the same time.

pimp2plz · Post by **pimp2plz** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:55 pm

Dealer ship is usless they wont help.

I doubt the filter us blocked because its only 2 weeks old.

Oxygen sensors are only 3 weeks old so what would be the chance of the cat been blocked?

gafsubi · Post by **gafsubi** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:18 pm

I've been having similar probs on my 97 Forester. Sluggish and regular flat spots.
I've changed plugs, leads, all filters.
Had it tested at several different places.
Now someone says it maybe the throttle position switch. Mines done 230K and been told obviously at that age they're prob warn, or on newer can be dirt and dust.
Anyone else heard this?
I'm sourcing "new" one. Let you know how it goes?

scotty81 · Post by **scotty81** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:12 pm

I'm having the exact same problem on my 01 Forester. Had my mechanic run the scan tool over it and even though the engine light had been on 5 minutes before dropping it off, it would not display any error codes. Aarrrgh! I'm guessing that it is the oxygen sensor (had the EGR valve cleaned, injectors cleaned and top engine flush completed). Car is due for it's 100,000k service soon (6500kms away yet) so it could be a timing issue. I was told by my mechanic that there is no real need to fit a genuine Subaru O2 sensor, an aftermarket Bosch 4 wire sensor would be sufficient. Anyone got any better suggestions?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:31 pm

Check out this thread about the TPS issue.

How much is a new TPS anyway? I think I need one...

A bosch O2 sensor will do the job just fine.

Cheers

Bennie

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:38 am

El_Freddo wrote:Check out this thread about the TPS issue.

How much is a new TPS anyway? I think I need one...

A bosch O2 sensor will do the job just fine.

Cheers

Bennie

You can get a new one off ebay overseas for around $60bucks. Depends who and which you get...

I'd stick with Bosch O2 because that what Subaru uses.
Cheers
AP