Check Engine Light
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Check Engine Light
Okay folks, here's the problem.
8500miles, 6months old:
I've now had the CEL light 5 times, for a MisFire on #4.
Dealer has replace computer, switched the FuelInjectors around and is now in the process of swapping the coils and plugs. I've been using BP Premium gas. All the times this light has appeared, has been on cold mornings, and within the first 1-2 minutes after startup. Also, the problem has been sporatic, and has only appeared every couple of weeks and only after the car has started.
The mechanic is telling me he has been hearing of this problem, but SOA doesn't know what the cause is. Also, he thinks that it is the crappy gas additive they add for the winter. I'm thinking about using lemon law...in Illinois.
Anyone, have any ideas? The dealer has been pretty good, in fact the service manager said I should talk to SOA and get my money back. I'm at a loss.
8500miles, 6months old:
I've now had the CEL light 5 times, for a MisFire on #4.
Dealer has replace computer, switched the FuelInjectors around and is now in the process of swapping the coils and plugs. I've been using BP Premium gas. All the times this light has appeared, has been on cold mornings, and within the first 1-2 minutes after startup. Also, the problem has been sporatic, and has only appeared every couple of weeks and only after the car has started.
The mechanic is telling me he has been hearing of this problem, but SOA doesn't know what the cause is. Also, he thinks that it is the crappy gas additive they add for the winter. I'm thinking about using lemon law...in Illinois.
Anyone, have any ideas? The dealer has been pretty good, in fact the service manager said I should talk to SOA and get my money back. I'm at a loss.
Guest
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i have the same problem on my 03 wrx.
it has thrown on code so far, misfire in #4 cylinder.
After calling a few dealers, its apparently a "popular" issue. They say that subaru seems to think the computer is a little too sensitive to the different fuels.
I'm also using BP premium. Always have.
Car seems to run fine, its probably limiting the boost a little.
What dealer have you been dealing with?
it has thrown on code so far, misfire in #4 cylinder.
After calling a few dealers, its apparently a "popular" issue. They say that subaru seems to think the computer is a little too sensitive to the different fuels.
I'm also using BP premium. Always have.
Car seems to run fine, its probably limiting the boost a little.
What dealer have you been dealing with?
VIP Member
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,314
From: Bend, Oregon
Car Info: E28M5, RAM Powerwagon, Motos
Don't Worry
You are not alone...
I have had the same problem. It is not a fuel issue.
The computer is sensitive. If you allow your car to warm up before driving, even if it is not cold, you will incur less of the CEL's. It typically occurs when the car shutters when letting the clutch out: cold start.
You have probably heard the importance of letting your car cool down some before shutting down. This is why so many turbo owners have turbo timers.
My personal mechanic recommended to me that to prolong the life of my turbo, I should try to let my car warm up and cool down.
The light is annoying, when mine comes on, I pay attention that it continues to run regular. The light will shut off after so many starts. The error is logged in the computer. My buddy at my dealership told me not to worry unless I lose power after 4k rpm. I will post any other info I come accross.
-wrexr
I have had the same problem. It is not a fuel issue.
The computer is sensitive. If you allow your car to warm up before driving, even if it is not cold, you will incur less of the CEL's. It typically occurs when the car shutters when letting the clutch out: cold start.
You have probably heard the importance of letting your car cool down some before shutting down. This is why so many turbo owners have turbo timers.
My personal mechanic recommended to me that to prolong the life of my turbo, I should try to let my car warm up and cool down.
The light is annoying, when mine comes on, I pay attention that it continues to run regular. The light will shut off after so many starts. The error is logged in the computer. My buddy at my dealership told me not to worry unless I lose power after 4k rpm. I will post any other info I come accross.
-wrexr
Guest
Posts: n/a
CEL
Good to know.
I was letting the car warm up. I usually give the car about a 5-7 minute warm-up before driving. The CEL appeared before I started driving. I'll let the car cool down before shutting it off though. I had heard about the cool down but I assumed it was for older turbos. What the hell....I'll give it a shot.
I was letting the car warm up. I usually give the car about a 5-7 minute warm-up before driving. The CEL appeared before I started driving. I'll let the car cool down before shutting it off though. I had heard about the cool down but I assumed it was for older turbos. What the hell....I'll give it a shot.
VIP Member
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,314
From: Bend, Oregon
Car Info: E28M5, RAM Powerwagon, Motos
Cool down
The cool down should not have any effect on The CEL problem.
It is just a recommendation. From what I have learned about turbos, the cool down allows any oil that is lubricating the turbo to vacate it. Without the cooldown, oil deposits harden, and eventually clog the lines to the turbo= turbo burns out. The warm up I recommend helps to prevent the cold start shutter when letting out the clutch. Alot of people experience better reliability, performance and economy when they ecutek or advance the computer system on the car. Mine will be completed in two weeks. I will post my results on the electronics/cpu forum.
wrexr
It is just a recommendation. From what I have learned about turbos, the cool down allows any oil that is lubricating the turbo to vacate it. Without the cooldown, oil deposits harden, and eventually clog the lines to the turbo= turbo burns out. The warm up I recommend helps to prevent the cold start shutter when letting out the clutch. Alot of people experience better reliability, performance and economy when they ecutek or advance the computer system on the car. Mine will be completed in two weeks. I will post my results on the electronics/cpu forum.
wrexr
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Almost, but not quite on the Turbo cool-down thing. Yes, they recommend that you give a Turbo car a couple of minutes to cool down after a drive. The reasoning being that after a drive, especially one that you were 'aggressive' during, the Turbo will be extremely hot. If you shut down immediately after a drive, that hot Turbo and it's case has no way of cooling off. So, it basically bakes any oil that is left in the case and bearings. Which, like was stated, leads to coking of the oil and eventual bearing failure. The couple of minutes that you allow a Turbo to cool down after a drive allows the oil to continue to circulate through the system, removing that excess heat that was built up. Less heat means less chance of coking.
A couple of things can be done to minimize this. A cool down. Using a Turbo rated oil. A synthetic oil, which will NOT coke up. Or installing an oil resevoir system inline with the Turbo line, which will continue the oil flow through the Turbo for a short time after shutdown, also sometimes called a pre-oiling system.
Finn
(This, in the N/A forum
)
A couple of things can be done to minimize this. A cool down. Using a Turbo rated oil. A synthetic oil, which will NOT coke up. Or installing an oil resevoir system inline with the Turbo line, which will continue the oil flow through the Turbo for a short time after shutdown, also sometimes called a pre-oiling system.
Finn
(This, in the N/A forum
)
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