The Avenger Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Ok - automotive question for the folks who know cars. I have an old Subaru Outback - runs great, 150K+ miles. Check engine light went on about a month ago so I brought it into the shop. They hooked it up and read the error code - a misfire on one of the cylinders and told me I needed a tune up. I was way overdue for a tune up, so it all made sense. So yesterday, 3 weeks after getting a tune up I'm sitting at a stop light and the car starts to run rough for a few seconds as I'm idling at the light - then the check engine light comes back on and before I know it, she's back to a smooth idle. I'd bet my house I had another misfire and that's what caused the light to come back on. Is it another misfire? If it was, why did it happen on a newly tuned up car? What should I check or do about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 I'm not a mechanic, but I had similar symptoms and the same error code and the remedy was new ignition wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Have you checked the air in the tires recently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Sounds like a Fetzer valve. Gonna need some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. And 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Do you have the receipt showing exactly what parts were replaced? There are three things I can think of, plug wires, cap, rotor. After that the plugs themselves or the camshaft position sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Ok - automotive question for the folks who know cars. I have an old Subaru Outback - runs great, 150K+ miles. Check engine light went on about a month ago so I brought it into the shop. They hooked it up and read the error code - a misfire on one of the cylinders and told me I needed a tune up. I was way overdue for a tune up, so it all made sense. So yesterday, 3 weeks after getting a tune up I'm sitting at a stop light and the car starts to run rough for a few seconds as I'm idling at the light - then the check engine light comes back on and before I know it, she's back to a smooth idle. I'd bet my house I had another misfire and that's what caused the light to come back on. Is it another misfire? If it was, why did it happen on a newly tuned up car? What should I check or do about it? Take it back to the shop and let them worry about it. It's called a comeback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drinkTHEkoolaid Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 i might have missed it but what year is your car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share Posted October 6, 2009 i might have missed it but what year is your car? It's a '99 Outback - been a great car, never had any major problems with it. It's running fine now, but I want to figure out what's causing these misfires and end them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 It's a '99 Outback - been a great car, never had any major problems with it. It's running fine now, but I want to figure out what's causing these misfires and end them. I'd say they're caused by 150,000 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 I repeat, take it back to the shop you paid money to fix the problem in the first place. They misdiagnosed it, you paid the bill-it's their baby now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Ok - automotive question for the folks who know cars. I have an old Subaru Outback - runs great, 150K+ miles. Check engine light went on about a month ago so I brought it into the shop. They hooked it up and read the error code - a misfire on one of the cylinders and told me I needed a tune up. I was way overdue for a tune up, so it all made sense. So yesterday, 3 weeks after getting a tune up I'm sitting at a stop light and the car starts to run rough for a few seconds as I'm idling at the light - then the check engine light comes back on and before I know it, she's back to a smooth idle. I'd bet my house I had another misfire and that's what caused the light to come back on. Is it another misfire? If it was, why did it happen on a newly tuned up car? What should I check or do about it? Here's some chit-chat about the Idle Control Valve (ICV). According to these folks, a malfunction (evidently carbon and crud build-up) will cause an idle speed drop, and generate an engine misfire code. http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/showth...?threadid=14747 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Here's some chit-chat about the Idle Control Valve (ICV). According to these folks, a malfunction (evidently carbon and crud build-up) will cause an idle speed drop, and generate an engine misfire code. http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/showth...?threadid=14747 That is what I was thinking! Since he said it happened at a light. I had a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo (which I believe is part of Subaru?? Or do they just make parts for Isuzu)... I changed the ICV if I recall and it was really jazzed up with gunk... It wasn't really the problem... But helped to change it. Avenger... Is it throttle-body fuel injection? Did they do the throttle body service and clean the plenon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 You probably need a new Johnson rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 You probably need a new Johnson rod. I think he perfers the Flutie rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts