Gen1 EJ22 FWD issues

Post by **Alex** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:00 am

hey guys,

my sister drives a gen1 liberty, auto fwd. About 2 years ago i swapped out her motor which crapped itself for a unknown condition ej22.

It has been running like a dream for id say about 90% of that time, only recently have afew issues arised.

When the car is in drive, foot on brakes and stopped it rattles and jitters around like theres no tomorrow. It also happens in park and neutral, just not as bad, the whole car physically moves around on the spot. The revs jump all over the place apparantly

Im yet to have a look at it (on saturday i will be) so im looking for afew ideas on what could be causing this.

The plugs were new when the motor was replaced(i will pull them and check them out) but i doubt that would be causing this anyway.

there is no check engine light illuminated

at the moment im thinking of checking components such as

-engine mounts
-fuel filter (will need to be replaced)
-coil (replace with a spare)
-auto transmission fluid
-pulleys on the front of the motor, could they be off balance or something?
-injectors??
-fuel pump?

i have spares from two ej22s at home so parts shouldnt really be an issue

i think its fuel or spark related.

once cruising the car is fine.

ideas please!

thanks

alex

Post by **TOONGA** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:03 pm

check the harmonic balancer and the keyway and check that the auto trans is behaving itself.

TOONGA

Post by **Alex** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:26 am

thanks toonga, i'll add them to my list.

ive heard of that friggin keyway flogging out before. Sounds curious because she reckons the belts are slipping as well.

i think the car jsut needs some general loving which is a pity because its the best gen1 lib ive seen

alex

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:51 pm

Timing may have jumped a tooth but I'd go with the harmonic balancer, happened to my old Gen 1 Legacy auto, flogged out the keyway but managed to put a new key & super tightened it with Loktite.

Post by **Alex** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:59 pm

is the keyway hard to replace? Is it a pull the motor job?

would be a bitch if it is.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:12 am

If it's rooted it's pretty much time for a new crank.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:08 am

Do the basics.. check the compression, this will elminate 90% of issues, as you can be checking other things out while you have the plugs out (leads, plugs, etc..). I'd also be looking at the front pulley as suggested. I wouldn't give up on the crank just yet, if the keyway is damaged. There is, as you know products out there that can help.

Post by **Alex** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:25 am

okay so i put about an hour into the car on saturday.

solved the terrible idle problem, there were afew intake hoses that seemed to just pop off, i remember having the same problem when ej22ing my wagon with a custom intake.

the car still missed like a bitch, so i changed out the coil, plugs and new fuel filter. It runs ALOT better now but still has afew issues. Next will be fuel pump/injectors. The leads are brand new a year ago.

So i'll be chasing a fuel pump if anyone has one lying around, its the only thing i dont have spare.

alex

guyph_01 · Post by **guyph_01** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:45 am

I've got a pump from a 96 impreza if your interested:)

Post by **Alex** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:47 am

if it fits...i'll give you $20 for it

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:41 pm

It'll fit, same tank from 89 to 00 Impreza's and Libs in awd and only the passenger side was different in fwd's

Post by **Alex** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:47 pm

okay thanks. The car is running pretty much 100% now.

just ran a tank of 98octane and injector cleaner thru it.

i'll look into the fuel pump if any furthur issues arise.

thanks

alex

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:34 am

Yeah the 2.2 pumps are pretty good, they used to use them in the early rally cars before the big aftermarket ones were available.

Post by **Alex** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:20 am

its all abit hit and miss at the moment. the car came good apparantly for abit, now its crap again.

i will try and check the timing belt to make sure it hasnt missed a tooth over the weekend. I fugure this is easier than swapping out the fuel pump?

my main problem is i know very little about timing belts

alex

mud_king91 · Post by **mud_king91** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:25 am

Alex wrote:its all abit hit and miss at the moment. the car came good apparantly for abit, now its crap again.

i will try and check the timing belt to make sure it hasnt missed a tooth over the weekend. I fugure this is easier than swapping out the fuel pump?

my main problem is i know very little about timing belts

alex

20X easier to work with then chains

Post by **Alex** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:18 am

i think i'll be getting the service manual out for this one!

Post by **TOONGA** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:31 am

Alex you may want to read this as well, I just read back and remembered that it is a possibility

showthread.php?t=19809

TOONGA

Post by **Alex** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:26 am

thanks Jules, that is a very handy thread.

Any ideas on how i can diagnose that caramel relay being a problem?

Post by **Alex** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:41 pm

this seems to be the goer

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:49 pm

Alex wrote:this seems to be the goer

Nice find!

Or do what Talasas did. That unit above looks a lot neater though and I would presume that it is a direct plug and play?

Cheers

Bennie