I work on a LOT of subarus in my town and almost all of them needed a new knock sensor, hesitation off the line, misfire codes, flashing CEL at higher speeds, all due to bad KS. that and heat shields needing to be cut off are the 2 most common things i do. and getting the KS on is always a faff, they never want to thread back in correctly. nothing needs to be moved out of the way for the KS job, just a really long extension and you'll have it.
if I wanted to lower my car I'd have gotten a GT!
outbacks go UP^
Yeah, im glad i got it all fixed! The knock sensor fixed all the random CEL misfire codes I was getting! Good to know that this is a common problem!
I wanted to update you guys a bit more on my situation.
I further torqued-down my knock sensor, prior I had it at 12ft/lbs and I gave it a nice 3/4 turn with a rachet and even though it feels like it's going to slip at any moment, I sunk it in there tighter.
IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT.
That's really insane that it makes -that- much difference in the functioning of the engine. As Prodriver was saying, smooth idle and it takes off from the line much much easier/smoother now.
Thanks you guys for the help. 12mm socket + 10" extension = problem solved (for now :P)
I've been to boost and back again my friends... and it was good
Yeah, out of all the threads I read about it, the knock sensor is technically supposed to be torqued to 17ft/lbs. I tightened mine to 16ft/lbs and its fine. Not sure what the actual torque specs are though, i think its 17.4 or something like that if i recall correctly.
good to hear guys
, problems like this can be super mysterious as you cant SEE anything broken, this will definitely be of huge help to other suby guys like us.
if I wanted to lower my car I'd have gotten a GT!
outbacks go UP^
After long pondering my misfire codes, I changed the plugs to NGK IX(3&4 looked like they got skipped last time) and cleaned the wires and terminals . Didn't fix the issue. Considering the addition of a 2.5" exhaust; i may have added another factor. Saw this thread; found a nice crack all the way around and hairline on top of the knock sensor. Just installed and reset ECU. Have to get on the highway to test. If not the fix, NGK wires and MSD pack are in the mail as we speak.
99 OBW Limited 5mt
83 GL Wagon 4mt Fwd
What car did u get the msd coil pack from?
Subaru Legacy L
IG: grimmrican
fb: epic benitez
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Most likely a Neon. It does not work on the 3rd gen. The wiring going in is different. 2nd gens have a 3 wire plug similar to the Neon. From what I have read the 3rd gen has a 4 wire plug.Originally Posted by Grimmrican
My cars:
2019 Impreza Sport
2008 Miata
2009 Legacy 3.0R Limited- Sold
1998 Legacy L wagon- Sold
2000 Outback- Sold
Yea I was looking into it at work for my third gen and a 02 neon. They look the same but the part numbers were different so maybe something inside changed up
Subaru Legacy L
IG: grimmrican
fb: epic benitez
Report back if it was in fact your knock sensor. I bet it was. Mine started throwing misfires on 3, then 1 and 3, then all 4, etc. Got worse and more mysterious over time. Turned out it was the knock sensor the whole time. I get way better MPG now too!
I was still getting random misfire codes with my replacement sensor, and when I went to tighten it up, the bolt slipped and I figured a die would do to fix it it. I tapped the threads, and cut the head to 45degrees. Still no luck, it simply wouldn't thread!
So I went to NAPA and got a m8x1.25mm bolt which was about 1/8" longer than the oem bolt. I threw a slim washer on there and finally got it to bite, tightened it down, and now finally am free of a loping idle.
Will update with road testing!
I've been to boost and back again my friends... and it was good
Wow, sounds like you went through the nightmare scenario with your install! Glad you got it sorted.
I'm pretty sure the knock sensors are supposed to be tightened to 16 ft/lbs. Maybe you over-tightened it initially? Either that, or the threads were just gone to begin with. I hear this can be common.
Hope it works out for you!! Keep up updated!
No luck!
Am still getting random misfires. Probably crank sprocket time :/
I've been to boost and back again my friends... and it was good
This has been a very helpful read
I have been living with this problem for 16000 miles now in my 98 Legacy!
i bought a replacement motor a year ago with 175k and has been a fight since day 1
gave up after a while of replacing and checking parts and feared it was internal engine failure
eventually i got used to it, i dont really need to go over 70 and im still getting 28 mpg!!!
so far i have
-replaced plugs - Platinums
-wires - OE
-coil - from my parts wagon
-ran compression tests (150 all around)
-new injectors
-93 octane fuel brought the misfires from 65 to 70mph
-full synthetic oil 10w30 - really quiets down the piston slap, but still misfires
I am definitely going to check and replace my knock sensor tomorrow!!
At work, My Subaru has earned the nickname "Sexy Cement Mixer" for its good looks and Noisy motor
Soooo... after about 300 miles, my knock sensor seems to have done the trick. I've only gotten 2 CEL codes (still random misfire codes) but the ECU will allow me to get an inspection now which is all I really ever cared about in the first place, haha.
I've been to boost and back again my friends... and it was good
Hell yeah! Glad to hear another success story!
Boozeboy: post back and let us know if it fixed your problem as well. i hope you are kindly pleased!
Knock sensor didn't fix it, no change
I swapped the ECM from my parts wagon (97 outback)
ITS FIXED!!!
I can go over 3000 rpm with no misfire codes. So much better!
now it just throws a code for the EVAP purge - insufficient flow
which my wagon had a completely different EVAP system in it so its understandable
I can live with that since we don't require OBD2 state inspections older than 1999
At work, My Subaru has earned the nickname "Sexy Cement Mixer" for its good looks and Noisy motor
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