Engine loses power and sometimes stalls

Tiny
BISHDOG
  • MEMBER
  • SUBARU
I got a 93 Subaru Legacy AWD, 2.2L(non-turbo), 150k, from a tow yard. It sat for at least a few months. It needed a new clutch so I put one in myself. After driving for a week or so, I noticed that the engine seems to idle erratically sometimes. It runs perfectly fine when the engine is cold, but once it gets warm the RPM's move around. Also, when driving in the higher RPM's, sometimes it will lose power or have little power. It has even stalled a few times.

I changed the spark plugs, pcv valve, and the fuel filter after having this problem for about a month and many tanks of gas, so I dont think it's bad gas. I ran a can of Seafoam through the vacuum lines and the gas tank. That made it run better for about a day. I ran 91 octane gas, and that made it better for about 50 miles.

Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this?

Thanks
Tuesday, December 5th, 2006 AT 1:24 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
TENACEE
  • MEMBER
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Don't have an answer for you but was wondering if you got an answer. I am looking at buying a Legacy wagon for my son but the owner says it does the same thing as you have mentioned. Going up a long grade, the car loses power, then sputters and then evens back out. He thinks maybe a clogged fuel filter. I think maybe big bucks. Hope you can help me make up my mind on this one.
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Friday, January 26th, 2007 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
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What are the details on the one your looking at? Year engine etc.
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Friday, January 26th, 2007 AT 9:06 PM
Tiny
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Hi Paul,
Thanks for the quick query. It's a '96 Legacy AWD and I believe it to be the 2.2 engine although not totally sure. It has 188,000 miles on it. I'll be looking at it again Tuesday maybe for a drive. He just asks $1,000 for it but I'm still kind of afraid the bucks afterward might get high. Is the 188,000 getting on the scary side for a Suburu?
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Friday, January 26th, 2007 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
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That's a hard question to answer without seeing it. I would pay your mechanic to give it a good look over first. I have found that if you spend less than a $1000, you will likely spend another $1000 right away. Still that's driving cheap. Not sure on the uphill battle problem.
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Friday, January 26th, 2007 AT 10:40 PM
Tiny
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I paid $80 for a mechanic to tell me it was the Mass Air Sensor. I got a used one for $100. It runs like a dream now.

Good Luck
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+1
Saturday, January 27th, 2007 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
TENACEE
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Thanks for the reply, bishdog. I may see if he will let me have it checked for that before I buy.
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Saturday, January 27th, 2007 AT 7:08 AM

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