Starting problem Subaru Legacy Wagon

[blas_pa]

Help!!! I was driving on the highway today back home, the weather was
rough it was raining and very windy. The vehicle was acting normal, i
pulled over to get some gas at a full service gas station. I had the
window open on the side that the gas is pumped into the car to pay the
attendant. when fueled i turned the car on and began to drive. about
a half a block up the road the car turned off on me. I pulled over and
cranked the car. it simulated a start however it didn't crank over
just kepted on cranking. this is probably a coincidence. now i am very
observant with my vehichle, I was on a trip to New York from PA. I
take this trip at least twice a week for work, now first thing prior
to the problem that i did notice was that the gas level indicated I
had wasted almost a half of tank prior to reaching my destination of
100miles, 5 to 10 miles before my destination the needle on the gas
gauge increased one eight to a little past the half tank mark. i found
this odd. on my way back i monitored the gas gauge carefully hence the
reason for a second stop to refuel prior to my arrival back home. I
am not sure if the fuel indications today, or the possibility of rain
going into my tank have any cause to the problem I am experiencing or
maybe its just a coincidence. my car is a Subaru Legacy Wagon 1996 an
has a little over 220K, please help. I am a courier, without my car i
will not be able to work, please anything that can guide me in the
right direction, I don't have money to make unnecessary replacements
at this time, i am afraid to be replaced at work without my Car.
Please Help thank you Blas

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Help!!! I was driving on the highway today back home, the weather was
rough it was raining and very windy. The vehicle was acting normal, i
pulled over to get some gas at a full service gas station. I had the
window open on the side that the gas is pumped into the car to pay the
attendant. when fueled i turned the car on and began to drive. about
a half a block up the road the car turned off on me. I pulled over and
cranked the car. it simulated a start however it didn't crank over
just kepted on cranking. this is probably a coincidence. now i am very
observant with my vehichle, I was on a trip to New York from PA. I
take this trip at least twice a week for work, now first thing prior
to the problem that i did notice was that the gas level indicated I
had wasted almost a half of tank prior to reaching my destination of
100miles, 5 to 10 miles before my destination the needle on the gas
gauge increased one eight to a little past the half tank mark. i found
this odd. on my way back i monitored the gas gauge carefully hence the
reason for a second stop to refuel prior to my arrival back home. I
am not sure if the fuel indications today, or the possibility of rain
going into my tank have any cause to the problem I am experiencing or
maybe its just a coincidence. my car is a Subaru Legacy Wagon 1996 an
has a little over 220K, please help. I am a courier, without my car i
will not be able to work, please anything that can guide me in the
right direction, I don't have money to make unnecessary replacements
at this time, i am afraid to be replaced at work without my Car.
Please Help thank you Blas

The sypmtoms SEEM consistent with 'bad gas' (water) or a clogged fuel
filter.
Normally, 'mechanic in a can'-type repairs are a waste, but HEET or
similar 'gas dryer' MIGHT be helpful in your situation IF there is water
in your fuel.

Carl

 

[S]

Hi Blas!

Help!!! I was driving on the highway today back home, the weather was
rough it was raining and very windy. The vehicle was acting normal, i
pulled over to get some gas at a full service gas station. I had the
window open on the side that the gas is pumped into the car to pay the
attendant. when fueled i turned the car on and began to drive. about
a half a block up the road the car turned off on me. I pulled over and
cranked the car. it simulated a start however it didn't crank over
just kepted on cranking. this is probably a coincidence. now i am very
observant with my vehichle, I was on a trip to New York from PA. I
take this trip at least twice a week for work, now first thing prior
to the problem that i did notice was that the gas level indicated I
had wasted almost a half of tank prior to reaching my destination of
100miles, 5 to 10 miles before my destination the needle on the gas
gauge increased one eight to a little past the half tank mark. i found
this odd. on my way back i monitored the gas gauge carefully hence the
reason for a second stop to refuel prior to my arrival back home. I
am not sure if the fuel indications today, or the possibility of rain
going into my tank have any cause to the problem I am experiencing or
maybe its just a coincidence. my car is a Subaru Legacy Wagon 1996 an
has a little over 220K, please help. I am a courier, without my car i
will not be able to work, please anything that can guide me in the
right direction, I don't have money to make unnecessary replacements
at this time, i am afraid to be replaced at work without my Car.
Please Help thank you Blas

Possible you got enuf water in the gas to cause this, but doesn't seem
real likely. What I _have_ seen cause this sort of problem (especially
in wet weather) is bad plug wires.

Open the hood with the engine idling and listen for the tic-tic sound
of a spark going somewhere where it shouldn't, particularly in the
vicinity of the coil pack. (Under that plastic cover, if it's still
there. Pull straight up to remove.) If you're brave, try running your
finger around the coils, and along the plug wires between the coils
and plug cap. Er, um, if there's a problem, you'll find it . . .
Probably a better way is to have a look at night with the engine
idling; look for visible sparks, or a (cool-looking) blue glow along
the wires as the cylinder fires.
Easiest thing by far is to simply install a new set of wires (easy to
do, and get _good_ ones that fit correctly), and see if that doesn't
make things better. FWIW, if the car has 200+K miles on the original
wires, or even 50 or 60K on aftermarket ones, they're _way_ due
replacement in any event.

I have observed many "odd" driveability issues solved with a set of
good plug wires. Maybe yours will be one of them; write back and let
me know.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101