'95 Outback that won't start

[tonyrama]

Ok, I need some advice. I 've got a '95 Legacy with the 2.2L engine, and a
couple weeks back, as I was driving along, the CEL came on. I detected
nothing else amiss, and when I got it home, I shut it down and started it up
again, and it fired right up as usual. The next day, however, it wouldn't
start at all. The starter turned and turned, but no catch. Two days later,
she started up, a little harder than usual, but she did catch, and ran
really rough. Then the CEL went out and she's been fine since. Well,
yesterday I went out and she wouldn't start again, same as before, this time
with no CEL on. Today she did catch, but barely, and again, ran really
rough, sputtering, and the idle was uneven. When she did actually catch,
there was a lot of white smoke from the exhaust, and it smelled of pure
gasoline. I have two questions now. How long does the computer hold the
error code, and does anybody have any idea what the problem might be?

Tonyrama
'95 Outback

 

[Edward Hayes]

Sounds like ignition problem. If you can get to AutoZone for a free Code
readout. If you can't get a code reading check all ignition coil
connections. Check the sensors controlling the ignition firing. One sensor
is operated off the camshaft and another may be on the flywheel or front
pulley.

 

[Hallraker]

Ok, I need some advice. I 've got a '95 Legacy with the 2.2L engine, and a
couple weeks back, as I was driving along, the CEL came on. I detected
nothing else amiss, and when I got it home, I shut it down and started it up
again, and it fired right up as usual. The next day, however, it wouldn't
start at all. The starter turned and turned, but no catch. Two days later,
she started up, a little harder than usual, but she did catch, and ran
really rough. Then the CEL went out and she's been fine since. Well,
yesterday I went out and she wouldn't start again, same as before, this time
with no CEL on. Today she did catch, but barely, and again, ran really
rough, sputtering, and the idle was uneven. When she did actually catch,
there was a lot of white smoke from the exhaust, and it smelled of pure
gasoline. I have two questions now. How long does the computer hold the
error code, and does anybody have any idea what the problem might be?

Tonyrama
'95 Outback

Hey Tony. Sorry to hear about the Outback there! Mine is still going
strong. As Ed suggested, you'll want to read that code. I'm not sure how
long it keeps them in memory, but I went out and shelled out money for my
own reader a few years back when the Subie dealer was going to gouge me $80
to check the code. I mean, come on the connector is behind it's own panel
on the dash, you don't even have to crouch under the dash like on many other
cars! Anyway, even though many places read the codes for free it's still
nice to have the code reader yourself and you'll be surprised how many new
friends you have once word gets out. <g>

The white smoke would have me concerned though, that could be coolant.

-Matt

 

[tonyrama]

The white smoke would have me concerned though, that could be coolant.

-Matt

Coolant wouldn't smell like gasoline, would it? I've always thought that
coolant had a sweet smell in the exhaust.

Tonyrama

 

[tonyrama]

Sounds like ignition problem. If you can get to AutoZone for a free Code
readout. If you can't get a code reading check all ignition coil
connections. Check the sensors controlling the ignition firing. One sensor
is operated off the camshaft and another may be on the flywheel or front
pulley.

My first gut feeling was fuel delivery, but I'll check the ignition coil.
Thanks
Tonyrama

 

[Hallraker]

Coolant wouldn't smell like gasoline, would it? I've always thought that
coolant had a sweet smell in the exhaust.

That is true. I'm not sure what all makes white smoke anyway, I just know
that my last car ('92 Mercury Sable) made a lot of it. Head gasket indeed.
-Matt

 

[tonyrama]

That is true. I'm not sure what all makes white smoke anyway, I just know
that my last car ('92 Mercury Sable) made a lot of it. Head gasket indeed.
-Matt

I asked a friend of mine that's a mechanic, and he said that off the top of
his head he thought it sounded like it wasn't getting spark, and it would
take on too much gas and flood, which is where the white smoke and smell
came from. Intermittent spark doesn't sound that good. I really have to get
a hold of a shop manual for this kind of thing. I've had the car for almost
4 years now and haven't need it before now, it hadn't broken before now.

Tonyrama

 

[Hallraker]

I asked a friend of mine that's a mechanic, and he said that off the top of
his head he thought it sounded like it wasn't getting spark, and it would
take on too much gas and flood, which is where the white smoke and smell
came from. Intermittent spark doesn't sound that good. I really have to get
a hold of a shop manual for this kind of thing. I've had the car for almost
4 years now and haven't need it before now, it hadn't broken before now.

Hope you luck out and it ends up cheap to fix. I've had mine also and aside
from the alternator fiasco from a couple years back, and the tire situation
tonight (haven't posted about it yet, working on that) I've never had any
problems with with mighty Outback.

Tonight also, my friend started jetting coolant all over the place from his
'89 turbo Probe.

-Matt