Turns over, splutters, won't start.

libertywagonrx · Post by **libertywagonrx** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:45 pm

Hi, it's been a while since i've posted on here but i'm stuck for what to do with my problem.

I have a Subaru liberty RX 2000 model, manual. Since about a month or two ago the car was have a rough idle on startup. It would start fairly easily, without much hesitation and the first few seconds would have a very rough idle. Over time this got worse, where the car would not start start up, and took two goes to start, as well as the 10-20 seconds of rough idling (sounding like lawnmower) then it would seem fine.

On the last tank of fuel I ran some injector cleaner through the car, and drove 4 hours no worries, then a short trips of 5-15 minutes. Finally the the next day I went to get in the car and it wouldnt start at all.

The car turns over fine but ill it does is splutter a couple of times while the key is turned then stops spluttering shortly after you stop turning it over. It doesn't actually start at all.

After trying to figure it out I called a mobile mechanic to come take a look. THe guy took a look over it and checked in intake, checked one of the spark plugs, did a pressure test and checked fuel was being pumped in.

My thoughts initially were fuel pump or filter, but it seems to be getting fuel to the front when we took off a fuel line in the engine bay. I have one of the models with the fuel filter and pump located in the actual tank.

We found that the coil pack had one very corroded contact, which we had a go at scraping off some corrosion but this didn't help at all.

The mechanic guy was fairly short on concrete ideas. He said that it could be a number of things including the coil pack needing replacing (he suggested this as one terminal was already corroded). He also suggested changing the plugs and wires too. Another suggestion was the camshaft sensor? However there has been no check engine light and no codes were revealed when he checked.

So my question is does anyone have any experience with a similar issue?
I find it strange that the car would slowly have this sort of problem that would become gradually worse, then to not work at all. I want to have the best possible idea before I start throwing too much money at the car.

Regards and much appreciation,

Jack

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:23 pm

I work in nambucca so I could call by and have a look. I also have a spare coil pack on an engine at home I could bring. Have you tried spraying starting spray down the intake to see if it will fire?

Sent from my new touchy phone thingy

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:07 pm

I'll bet the injectors are weeping while stationary and wetting the sparkplugs.

Seen it too many times to count, on many different engines.

If you can get it to start, take note of the exhaust smoke and smell, unburnt fuel.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:16 pm

A common mistake for well experienced mechanics is to see fuel pour out and figure its got fuel. A fuel pressure test is the only way to check with a gauge T pieced in, not just at the end of the line at, say the fuel filter.

36 psi is good for a lot of jap efi.

Your gradual symptoms smack of a pump taking its time to die from my experience

low pressure will cause fine mist to spit or dribble, wetting plugs as Gary suggests you may find

libertywagonrx · Post by **libertywagonrx** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:25 pm

Thanks Gannon, but i'm in Newcastle i'm affraid :-/

So fuel pump could well be the culprit by the sounds of it.

The mechanic did blow some starter spray down the intake to no avail.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:28 pm

the idea of spray starter stuff or WD40, CRC556 down is to see if it is fuel missing from equation, if it fires but not starts , it is fuel, coz firing proves spark is there and it is ya spray burning instead of normal fuel from injectors.

It aint a cut and dried diagnostic online, but....

sounds like no spark for some reason.....

libertywagonrx · Post by **libertywagonrx** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:38 pm

Yes, i think the spark issue could be relevant. I feel as though it could be the coil pack/leads/plugs? Or the sensor? But I really don't know. Would this have caused the gradual issue then a complete fail...

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:16 am

with cars and electronics/electrical - anything is possible as things start to break down. Crank sensor will stop any spark - that can be first step for some. See if a test procedure can be found.

libertywagonrx · Post by **libertywagonrx** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:07 pm

Thanks for your help everyone, got to the point of being too hard for me with a lack of tools, expertise and time. Getting it sent off to a subaru specialist mechanic to do the work.

Jetglo330 · Post by **Jetglo330** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:38 pm

Hi Jack, I have exactly the same problem with my 2000 Subaru Liberty RX manual. Did you manage to fix your problem? cause mine is getting worse and worse. Your help would be very much appreciated. Cheers, Rick