Hi all,

I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs and
wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in the
meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems to have
stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest thing right
now is the loss of power on the highway.

After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own and/or
lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10 kph. When I'm
losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get no response right
away most times. The change in acceleration is enough to jerk me forward
or back in the seat.

I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel injector
cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to be better when
the cleaner is in the fuel.

Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine scan
yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.

TIA!

..

I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My first
suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the ignition
timing for a short time. I would reset the engine control module
(ECU), by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and press the
brake peddle several times to discharge the unit and reset the default
parameters. If that doesn't help, change the fuel filter and then the
bigger $ in the MAS or is it the ? sensor. Ed
"cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
> suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs
> and wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in
> the meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems to
> have stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest
> thing right now is the loss of power on the highway.
>
> After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own
> and/or lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10 kph.
> When I'm losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get no
> response right away most times. The change in acceleration is enough
> to jerk me forward or back in the seat.
>
> I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel injector
> cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to be better
> when the cleaner is in the fuel.
>
> Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine scan
> yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>
> TIA!
>
> ..

Edward Hayes wrote:
> I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My first
> suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the ignition
> timing for a short time. I would reset the engine control module
> (ECU), by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and press the
> brake peddle several times to discharge the unit and reset the default
> parameters. If that doesn't help, change the fuel filter and then the
> bigger $ in the MAS or is it the ? sensor. Ed


Yeah, except for the bit of sluggishness after starting, the surging
doesn't start immediately - always on the far end of my trip (I travel
40 km on the highway to get into town). I also notice that the surging
can continue for the rest of that trip but not always on the return trip
(after the car has been turned off).

The fuel filter was changed 22,000 km (and 14 months) ago. Could that be
the problem so soon after replacement? Faulty filter perhaps?

Or is a sticking injector possible? (I can also hear some rapid (valve?)
tapping when I'm going uphill - not loud, but noticeable).

Thanks!

..



> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
> news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
>>suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs
>>and wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in
>>the meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems to
>>have stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest
>>thing right now is the loss of power on the highway.
>>
>>After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own
>>and/or lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10 kph.
>>When I'm losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get no
>>response right away most times. The change in acceleration is enough
>>to jerk me forward or back in the seat.
>>
>>I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel injector
>>cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to be better
>>when the cleaner is in the fuel.
>>
>>Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine scan
>>yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>>
>>TIA!
>>
>> ..
>
>
>

Didja check for O2 sensor function?

It can do all sort's of weird stuff if it is failing / has failed.
Including the stuff you are describing.

It does NOT always throw a code when it goes bad (which is how I know all
this stuff, driving around a while with it bad).


"cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
news:12e95a33drmr586@news.supernews.com...
> Edward Hayes wrote:
>> I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My first
>> suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the ignition timing
>> for a short time. I would reset the engine control module (ECU), by
>> disconnecting the negative battery terminal and press the brake peddle
>> several times to discharge the unit and reset the default parameters. If
>> that doesn't help, change the fuel filter and then the bigger $ in the
>> MAS or is it the ? sensor. Ed
>
>
> Yeah, except for the bit of sluggishness after starting, the surging
> doesn't start immediately - always on the far end of my trip (I travel 40
> km on the highway to get into town). I also notice that the surging can
> continue for the rest of that trip but not always on the return trip
> (after the car has been turned off).
>
> The fuel filter was changed 22,000 km (and 14 months) ago. Could that be
> the problem so soon after replacement? Faulty filter perhaps?
>
> Or is a sticking injector possible? (I can also hear some rapid (valve?)
> tapping when I'm going uphill - not loud, but noticeable).
>
> Thanks!
>
> ..
>
>
>
>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>> news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
>>
>>>Hi all,
>>>
>>>I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
>>>suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs and
>>>wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in the
>>>meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems to have
>>>stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest thing right
>>>now is the loss of power on the highway.
>>>
>>>After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own and/or
>>>lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10 kph. When I'm
>>>losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get no response right away
>>>most times. The change in acceleration is enough to jerk me forward or
>>>back in the seat.
>>>
>>>I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel injector
>>>cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to be better when
>>>the cleaner is in the fuel.
>>>
>>>Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine scan
>>>yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>>>
>>>TIA!
>>>
>>> ..
>>
>>

Funkadyleik Spynwhanker wrote:

> Didja check for O2 sensor function?
>
> It can do all sort's of weird stuff if it is failing / has failed.
> Including the stuff you are describing.
>
> It does NOT always throw a code when it goes bad (which is how I know all
> this stuff, driving around a while with it bad).


The tech mentioned that and probably got sidetracked by the misfired
cylinder which did show up on the scan. I'll ask them to check it. Thanks.

..



>
>
> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
> news:12e95a33drmr586@news.supernews.com...
>
>>Edward Hayes wrote:
>>
>>>I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My first
>>>suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the ignition timing
>>>for a short time. I would reset the engine control module (ECU), by
>>>disconnecting the negative battery terminal and press the brake peddle
>>>several times to discharge the unit and reset the default parameters. If
>>>that doesn't help, change the fuel filter and then the bigger $ in the
>>>MAS or is it the ? sensor. Ed
>>
>>
>>Yeah, except for the bit of sluggishness after starting, the surging
>>doesn't start immediately - always on the far end of my trip (I travel 40
>>km on the highway to get into town). I also notice that the surging can
>>continue for the rest of that trip but not always on the return trip
>>(after the car has been turned off).
>>
>>The fuel filter was changed 22,000 km (and 14 months) ago. Could that be
>>the problem so soon after replacement? Faulty filter perhaps?
>>
>>Or is a sticking injector possible? (I can also hear some rapid (valve?)
>>tapping when I'm going uphill - not loud, but noticeable).
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>> ..
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>"cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>>>news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi all,
>>>>
>>>>I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
>>>>suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs and
>>>>wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in the
>>>>meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems to have
>>>>stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest thing right
>>>>now is the loss of power on the highway.
>>>>
>>>>After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own and/or
>>>>lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10 kph. When I'm
>>>>losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get no response right away
>>>>most times. The change in acceleration is enough to jerk me forward or
>>>>back in the seat.
>>>>
>>>>I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel injector
>>>>cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to be better when
>>>>the cleaner is in the fuel.
>>>>
>>>>Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine scan
>>>>yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>>>>
>>>>TIA!
>>>>
>>>>..
>>>
>>>
>

cloud dreamer wrote:

> Funkadyleik Spynwhanker wrote:
>
>> Didja check for O2 sensor function?
>>
>> It can do all sort's of weird stuff if it is failing / has failed.
>> Including the stuff you are describing.
>>
>> It does NOT always throw a code when it goes bad (which is how I know
>> all this stuff, driving around a while with it bad).
>
>
>
> The tech mentioned that and probably got sidetracked by the misfired
> cylinder which did show up on the scan. I'll ask them to check it. Thanks.
>
> ..
>
>
>
>>
>>
>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>> news:12e95a33drmr586@news.supernews.com...
>>
>>> Edward Hayes wrote:
>>>
>>>> I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My
>>>> first suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the
>>>> ignition timing for a short time. I would reset the engine control
>>>> module (ECU), by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and
>>>> press the brake peddle several times to discharge the unit and reset
>>>> the default parameters. If that doesn't help, change the fuel
>>>> filter and then the bigger $ in the MAS or is it the ? sensor. Ed
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yeah, except for the bit of sluggishness after starting, the surging
>>> doesn't start immediately - always on the far end of my trip (I
>>> travel 40 km on the highway to get into town). I also notice that the
>>> surging can continue for the rest of that trip but not always on the
>>> return trip (after the car has been turned off).
>>>
>>> The fuel filter was changed 22,000 km (and 14 months) ago. Could that
>>> be the problem so soon after replacement? Faulty filter perhaps?
>>>
>>> Or is a sticking injector possible? (I can also hear some rapid
>>> (valve?) tapping when I'm going uphill - not loud, but noticeable).
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> ..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
>>>>> suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs
>>>>> and wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in
>>>>> the meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems
>>>>> to have stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest
>>>>> thing right now is the loss of power on the highway.
>>>>>
>>>>> After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own
>>>>> and/or lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10
>>>>> kph. When I'm losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get no
>>>>> response right away most times. The change in acceleration is
>>>>> enough to jerk me forward or back in the seat.
>>>>>
>>>>> I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel
>>>>> injector cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to be
>>>>> better when the cleaner is in the fuel.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine scan
>>>>> yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>>>>>
>>>>> TIA!
>>>>>
>>>>> ..
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>

I forgot, is this an auto-tranny? NMaybe a good power flush of the
tranny will clean some gumminess outta some valve seats or something?
Also, have you noticed ANY 'jerkiness' making sharp turns/maneuvering in
parking lots?


Carl


--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

Carl 1 Lucky Texan wrote:

> cloud dreamer wrote:
>
>> Funkadyleik Spynwhanker wrote:
>>
>>> Didja check for O2 sensor function?
>>>
>>> It can do all sort's of weird stuff if it is failing / has failed.
>>> Including the stuff you are describing.
>>>
>>> It does NOT always throw a code when it goes bad (which is how I know
>>> all this stuff, driving around a while with it bad).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> The tech mentioned that and probably got sidetracked by the misfired
>> cylinder which did show up on the scan. I'll ask them to check it.
>> Thanks.
>>
>> ..
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>>> news:12e95a33drmr586@news.supernews.com...
>>>
>>>> Edward Hayes wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My
>>>>> first suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the
>>>>> ignition timing for a short time. I would reset the engine control
>>>>> module (ECU), by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and
>>>>> press the brake peddle several times to discharge the unit and
>>>>> reset the default parameters. If that doesn't help, change the
>>>>> fuel filter and then the bigger $ in the MAS or is it the ? sensor. Ed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, except for the bit of sluggishness after starting, the surging
>>>> doesn't start immediately - always on the far end of my trip (I
>>>> travel 40 km on the highway to get into town). I also notice that
>>>> the surging can continue for the rest of that trip but not always on
>>>> the return trip (after the car has been turned off).
>>>>
>>>> The fuel filter was changed 22,000 km (and 14 months) ago. Could
>>>> that be the problem so soon after replacement? Faulty filter perhaps?
>>>>
>>>> Or is a sticking injector possible? (I can also hear some rapid
>>>> (valve?) tapping when I'm going uphill - not loud, but noticeable).
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> ..
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
>>>>>> suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the plugs
>>>>>> and wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders developed in
>>>>>> the meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights). The work seems
>>>>>> to have stopped that problem but the original remains. The biggest
>>>>>> thing right now is the loss of power on the highway.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own
>>>>>> and/or lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10
>>>>>> kph. When I'm losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get
>>>>>> no response right away most times. The change in acceleration is
>>>>>> enough to jerk me forward or back in the seat.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel
>>>>>> injector cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to
>>>>>> be better when the cleaner is in the fuel.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine
>>>>>> scan yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> TIA!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ..
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>
> I forgot, is this an auto-tranny? NMaybe a good power flush of the
> tranny will clean some gumminess outta some valve seats or something?
> Also, have you noticed ANY 'jerkiness' making sharp turns/maneuvering in
> parking lots?
>
>
> Carl
>
>


Yes, it's an auto. Wasn't sure if they still did power flushes. I had
one done to my Golf years ago, and it made quite the difference. I
haven't noticed any jerkiness making turns and that, but the
sluggishness when I first start it can get a little jerky as it takes a
second or two for the engine to respond to my foot on the pedal. Also,
the shift between power loss and sudden acceleration on the highway can
definitely be classified as jerky. (It's a wonder there isn't an imprint
of my nose on the steering wheel

..

cloud dreamer wrote:
> Carl 1 Lucky Texan wrote:
>
>> cloud dreamer wrote:
>>
>>> Funkadyleik Spynwhanker wrote:
>>>
>>>> Didja check for O2 sensor function?
>>>>
>>>> It can do all sort's of weird stuff if it is failing / has failed.
>>>> Including the stuff you are describing.
>>>>
>>>> It does NOT always throw a code when it goes bad (which is how I
>>>> know all this stuff, driving around a while with it bad).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The tech mentioned that and probably got sidetracked by the misfired
>>> cylinder which did show up on the scan. I'll ask them to check it.
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> ..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:12e95a33drmr586@news.supernews.com...
>>>>
>>>>> Edward Hayes wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm a bit confused about this happing after 20km of driving. My
>>>>>> first suspicion would be that the knock sensor is retarding the
>>>>>> ignition timing for a short time. I would reset the engine control
>>>>>> module (ECU), by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and
>>>>>> press the brake peddle several times to discharge the unit and
>>>>>> reset the default parameters. If that doesn't help, change the
>>>>>> fuel filter and then the bigger $ in the MAS or is it the ?
>>>>>> sensor. Ed
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Yeah, except for the bit of sluggishness after starting, the
>>>>> surging doesn't start immediately - always on the far end of my
>>>>> trip (I travel 40 km on the highway to get into town). I also
>>>>> notice that the surging can continue for the rest of that trip but
>>>>> not always on the return trip (after the car has been turned off).
>>>>>
>>>>> The fuel filter was changed 22,000 km (and 14 months) ago. Could
>>>>> that be the problem so soon after replacement? Faulty filter perhaps?
>>>>>
>>>>> Or is a sticking injector possible? (I can also hear some rapid
>>>>> (valve?) tapping when I'm going uphill - not loud, but noticeable).
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>> ..
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> "cloud dreamer" <lnvalid@lnvalid.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:12e9056rld1qkcd@news.supernews.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I asked about a sluggish '01 Forester last month and tried the
>>>>>>> suggestions. I also had it into Subaru yesterday and got the
>>>>>>> plugs and wires changed. A misfire in one of the cylinders
>>>>>>> developed in the meantime (the car was rocking at stop lights).
>>>>>>> The work seems to have stopped that problem but the original
>>>>>>> remains. The biggest thing right now is the loss of power on the
>>>>>>> highway.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> After I go about 30 km or so, the car will accelerate on its own
>>>>>>> and/or lose power only to catch after I've slowed about 5 or 10
>>>>>>> kph. When I'm losing power, I can tap on the accelerator and get
>>>>>>> no response right away most times. The change in acceleration is
>>>>>>> enough to jerk me forward or back in the seat.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I tried the fuel system cleaner. I've also added basic fuel
>>>>>>> injector cleaner into the tank on every second fill. It seems to
>>>>>>> be better when the cleaner is in the fuel.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Any ideas? I'm going back to Subaru on Monday but their engine
>>>>>>> scan yesterday only picked up the misfiring cylinder.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> TIA!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ..
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>> I forgot, is this an auto-tranny? NMaybe a good power flush of the
>> tranny will clean some gumminess outta some valve seats or something?
>> Also, have you noticed ANY 'jerkiness' making sharp turns/maneuvering
>> in parking lots?
>>
>>
>> Carl
>>
>>
>
>
> Yes, it's an auto. Wasn't sure if they still did power flushes. I had
> one done to my Golf years ago, and it made quite the difference. I
> haven't noticed any jerkiness making turns and that, but the
> sluggishness when I first start it can get a little jerky as it takes a
> second or two for the engine to respond to my foot on the pedal. Also,
> the shift between power loss and sudden acceleration on the highway can
> definitely be classified as jerky. (It's a wonder there isn't an imprint
> of my nose on the steering wheel
>
> ..

I suggest this COULD be a transmission problem. Many folks have had good
results from multiple drain/refill drive/repeat - type sequences (3-5
times) or 'power flushes'.

Carl


--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

"Carl 1 Lucky Texan" <alckytxn@swbell.not> wrote in message
news:fn9Fg.1852$q63.1491@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m...
>
> I suggest this COULD be a transmission problem. Many folks have had good
> results from multiple drain/refill drive/repeat - type sequences (3-5
> times) or 'power flushes'.
>
> Carl
>
>
> --


Good point. If you haven't had it flushed it's about time anyway.

Funkadyleik Spynwhanker wrote:
> "Carl 1 Lucky Texan" <alckytxn@swbell.not> wrote in message
> news:fn9Fg.1852$q63.1491@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m...
>
>>I suggest this COULD be a transmission problem. Many folks have had good
>>results from multiple drain/refill drive/repeat - type sequences (3-5
>>times) or 'power flushes'.
>>
>>Carl
>>
>>
>>--
>
>
>
> Good point. If you haven't had it flushed it's about time anyway.
>
>


I look to get it done on Monday.

My only other question is: if it's happens to be a failing oxygen
sensor, what happens if it fails altogether? Will I find myself on the
side of the highway testing out my new cell phone?

Thanks!

..