Ok guys I recently bought a 2004 WRX with 98,000 miles on it and it ran fine for a few days but it is starting to have issues. If I get on it it starts to bog out and lose power between 3000 and 4000 RPM and then the Check Engine light will flash. I scanned it with my scan tool and it is telling me that it is a misfire on cylinder one. What should I do? Should I change plugs and coils and check compression while I am at it or should I just take it to a shop and have the valve adjustment checked? It did also give me a couple small backfires while driving. Here is the list of mods from when I bought it: This car has a stainless steel down pipe back exhaust and a HKS up pipe. Also has AEM short intake, Tien front strut braces, Greddy rear strut braces and a HKS blow off valva along with a Cobb tuning access port and a piggy back tuner. It was a one owner car but I bought it from a dealership so dont know what maintenance has been done or how much it was beat on. It seems like it was taken care but you never really know.
I'd shove it right up their asses. I would most certainly contact Nuke and see if he could do a data log and re-tune the car. God only knows what tune this car has on it. Given the modifications it sure better have a tune.
Yes he bought it at a dealership. I read "Cobb AP", so just assuming that it's an OTS tune. My misfires went away (for the most part) when i had it pro-tuned with a stage 2 map. Contact Nuke or RS Motors for log and tune.
You caught me before my not so Ninja fast edit. I re-read his post and saw that he stated it was purchased at a dealership. Your too damn fast Josh
I emailed Nuke a couple days ago and haven't heard back. I will contact RS also. I am also going back to the dealership tomorrow to have a talk.
Being a modded car, that you are unsure of the history, I would start with some maintenance and a good tune(RS or Nuke should be able to help you out). I'd for sure look at swapping some plugs and doing a compression test while you are in there just to know where you are starting out with.I just did this same thing last weekend on the STi I bought, found that it has the incorrect plugs in it(Likely from a standard Impreza). The occasional backfire can happen when running an open vent BOV, add in the intake and an off the shelf maf I'd say it would be a bit more likely. You can sometimes resolve the "backfires" by adjusting your BOV(if it is an adjustable valve). Just be careful to not go to tight on the spring and cause compressor surge.
Hey Sorry for not replying back to your email. Been really busy and haven't had much time to go through them all. I would suggest pulling out the plug and changing them. Shouldn't take more than an hour. Seems like the plugs are worned out or fouled.
Any recommendation on a certain brand or type of plugs? I will also change the coils when I do the plugs
Go to Morries in Minnetonka or whatever Subaru dealer is closest to you. Get the OEM plugs for your model.
If by swapping the coils, you are meaning replacing with new, that could get expensive pretty quickly. As to the plugs, with your mod's I think you should be fine with the stock heat range plug. I would run a NGK Iridium you can get them at the dealership or the part store. For the OEM part number pricing will be pretty similar between the two places.
I'd still look at getting a good OpenSource tune from Nuke though. Also, ditch the intake and BOV for stock. Just my opinion though.
