1990 Subaru Legacy Complete Lack of Power

[Lucas]

Hi,

I own a 1990 Legacy L with the 2.2L non-turbo auto trans. About a week
ago the car completely lost power. It seems to run OK when the engine
is under no load at all but when it is put in gear, the idle is
extremely rough - almost stalling. If I am easy on the gas the car
seems to run ok but if I hit the gas at all it sputters hesitates, and
does not even have close to the power it should. It backfires, misses,
and the engine makes a bogging sound.

I have changed the fuel and air filter, checked the plugs - they are a
nice peachy golden brown color that they should be, pulled and plugged
the vaccum line to the EGR, etc etc. It almost feels like the timing
belt may have skipped a tooth.

I have one code that registered on the computer - it is a 35 for the
air purge control solenoid. I have called the local dealership and
they told me that it could be a number of things causing this code to
set and I am not very interested in randomly replacing $80 sensors
without being sure that they are the problem.

The exhaust does smell like it is running a little rich... Has anyone
with this engine had a similar problem to this and if yes please help
me out and point me in the right direction.

Thanks!!!!

Lucas

 

[Edward Hayes]

Since it came on quick maybe you have water in the gas. I'd try a can or two
of HEET or similar. Ed

 

[Alan Ronemus]

I had similar symptoms on my '90 OBW, and in addition it would correct itself if
I let it stand a few hours. It finally turned out to be the intake airflow
sensor - it had a dead spot just off idle and would stumble badly when the
throttle was opened more than slightly. Unfortunately, it's not a cheap fix but
you can troubleshoot it with a voltmeter before you buy a new part - the
procedure is in the service manual. (I no longer have the manuals since I
replaced the '90 with an '02 last year.)

Hi,

I own a 1990 Legacy L with the 2.2L non-turbo auto trans. About a week
ago the car completely lost power. It seems to run OK when the engine
is under no load at all but when it is put in gear, the idle is
extremely rough - almost stalling. If I am easy on the gas the car
seems to run ok but if I hit the gas at all it sputters hesitates,

<snip>

 

[Mike G.]

It may be your catalytic is plugged up, same thing happened to mine.

Mike