My 97 OUtback is running real poor - Mis Fire like crazy

[ginkobear]

1997 Subaru Legacy Outback

Had a minor misfire problem at first.
Changed Plugs and plug wires. (Did not get the NGK factory to replace with, used Champion Platinum as a substitution.

This changed nothing, had a buddy at a local garage look it over, and he found the Mass Air flow sensor was dirty, and also suggested a can of Seafoam to clean the injectors.
Also replace the Fuel Filter.
Did these, not any better. Mechanic gave up on me. Says take it to Subaru dealer.

Now the weather has gotten colder, and the car runs real bad when cold.
When first started, you can not get it to go above idle. Step on the gas and it sounds like it is choked out. Will not rev up at all.

After warming up, still a large dead spot on the first part of the throttle but as the car revs up, it runs better. Normal drive speeds you can feel the engine missing and the car feels like it is lurching a lot.

:-( :-(

[Huffer]

Sounds like the fuel pressure regulator, maybe that's going bad.

[Plays_with_Toys]

When was the last time the valves were adjusted?

Did you run seafoam through the fuel tank or through a vacuum line?

Any check engine lights? Usually it'll trip on a misfire.

[ProjectLGT97]

I have the same problem and have done the same things on my 97 LGT. I'm about to swap out the knock, cam position and crank angle position sensors to see if that helps anything. I'll let you know what I find. It may be a week or so though :-?

[blackparis]

sounds like open loop fuel issues from your short description...

3 sensors control the fuel management in open loop...

-Coolant temp sensor
-Mass Air-Flow/temperature
-Throttle Position Sensor

Ok.. so to attempt to diagnose your car:
Basicly Unplug one of them, then go drive it see if it is better or same... Not it, plug it back in, and try the next...

When you unplug something the computer goes into reading default tables.... and default is better than Faulty readings (which come from a faulty sensor)... so when you unplug one and the engine runs better, then you have found the faulty sensor....

If you do this and it doesn't fix anything then there could be a possible wiring issue (corroded wire/ground increasing a resistance on one of said sensors) And I would certainly take it to a dealer to diagnose that if you dont feel comfortable...

[Sarra]

I'd start with the MAF.