2002 WRX - Misfire CEL Cyl 1,2 & 4 Tech Help Anyone?

Hi there,

I've got a 2002 WRX 5-speed. 191K miles. Lightly modded with 3" Perrin Turbo-back exhaust, Grimspeed up-pipe and a mild reflash. Intake, injectors, intercooler, plugs etc are all stock. Car has been modded since 30K.

I am getting CELs for P0301, P0302, P0304 (1,2 & 4) misfire. Both static and flashing CEL. Car feels like it is running on 3 cylinders. Mileage is around 15-16mpg, normally I'm at 20-21 in town. Once I clear the codes, the runs better, but then it feels like the knock sensor goes nuts and adds a ton of fuel and pulls back the timing over the course of the next 10 miles.

I have swapped/checked the following with no change:

Coil Packs swapped
New stock NGK plugs, gapped to .0028-.0031 (old plugs didn't look excessively oil/fuel fouled, they were a nice "toasty tan" color although slightly more grey than tan)
Cleaned MAF
Checked for vacuum leaks using the trusty "spray carb cleaner" around the intake boots/connections method
New crank angle sensor
New cam angle sensor
Pulled the timing covers, everything lines up (Belt swapped 8K ago)
New upstream O2 (downstream has resistor mod)
Checked for exhaust leaks
2 tanks of fuel injector cleaner
Checked engine grounds (I added some years ago as well)

This weekend I'm going to do a compression check to see where that gets me. Next step is to look at swapping injectors. At this point, I'd rather not sink $900 in to a valve adjustment as I've put more money in to the car in the last year than it is worth.

I'm about ready to play chicken with a snow plow out of frustration.

Any recommendations on other things to check?

Is there a shop that's good with troubleshooting?

Also, with the mileage on the car, factoring body condition, etc, I'll be willing to unload it cheap if needed! Make me an offer!

Thanks,

Phil

 

Thanks, I'll know more on Sunday when I can do the compression check. I don't have the tools/adapters to do a leakdown myself. Although, I think I can get a tester cheap at Sears.

 

I would suggest contacting NF Performance if you need help with your car. There is a reason that they are the most popular shop in this subaru community.

Check out the Vendor Tab at the top or CLICK HERE

 

Thanks, folks. I'm south of the river, so RS is the place for me... As for the fuel filter, that has less than 8K on it as well.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks.

Phil

 

Burned valves probably

 

I'm really hoping not... Right now the resale value of the car fluctuates with the level of fuel in the tank, I'd rather not have to do any head work.

 

It really depends on what the car means to you. If it is just simply a CAR, not a SUBARU WRX, then it will not be worth yer time or money to fix, and you should probably sell it cheap, so someone who appreciates the car for what it really is can fix it up, and enjoy owning the fun little car that it is.

 

Mr. Mule,

I will have you know that I purchased this car new in 2001. I have put all 191,000 miles on it. The driver's seat is firmly molded to the contours of my ass. However, in the past year I have sunk $5K in to the car in the form of clutch, trans, water pump, timing belt, new turbo, new uppipe, front half shafts, and all the stuff posted above. Now, I am chasing phantoms that may very well be very expensive to fix. While it has been a good car that's seen many TSD rallies and has made dozens of passes up the front straight at Road America, it is starting to simply fall victim to "old." It is to the point where it is easy to sink far more in to it than it is worth. I can certainly become emotional about it, but at some point, the financials simply have to come in to play. I have only owned one car longer than this one, which I still have as well.

This is why I am seeking advice on how to fix it, I have no desire to trade it in on a freakin' Camry (shudder). It is not simply a car, but I have to question the amount of time and money to sink in to a project on which the next major issue could potentially be just around the corner. How long do you leave someone on life support? It's not to that point yet, but I'm not sure too many 90 year old people get heart transplants, either. Sorry for the rant, but you struck a nerve. The fact that I've owned this car since new, as much as the current mechanical maladies, is leaving me quite frustrated.

 

Hahaha. Well the way you speak about it, like saying "its value fluctuates as the fuel level changes" makes it sound a bit different. Sorry to strike a nerve. But to me, my car is something I've wanted forever. And when it blows up, i will have no problem rebuilding the motor. Ask Tangledupinblue on here. His car has been thru hell and back, including a flood, and he keeps bringing out the AED and bringing it back to life!

 

My car was also misfiring and doing all sorts of crazy stuff. I changed the fuel filter last night and the problema went away.... For now

 

I think you mis-read that sir. I did not tell him to do anything. I asked him what the car meant to him. I never said it was this "mystical supercar" you speak of. I merely suggested if he did not appreciate it for what it was any more, and did not feel like repairing it, to let it go to someone who would love to fix it, for a fair price.

 

Hey folks,

I don't mind the witty banter back and forth. It's actually helped me decide where and when it was worth it, and how much to put in to it further. After another day of poking around, I've decided to sell it. Facing the prospect of new heads is beyond my limit. It might be different had I not sunk $5K in to it in the last year.

Thanks to all who posted recommendations and tips.

So, look for it on Craigslist and the classifieds here. It'll be the WRB WRX wagon with the CEL flashing in time with the radio.

Phil

 

Nice. I didn't mean to come across as bein rude when I suggested to sell for a fair price. And I think what yer asking is fair, and will be the perfect little project for the enthusiast who has a little time to spend on fixing it up. Good luck with the sale.

 

Tangledupinblu: Thanks... Love the Dylan reference, by the way. Seems like a good way to describe the relationship with your car. The relationship in that song seems just as tumultuous.

 

No worries. I think what I'm asking is about right. The bottom of the WRX market seems to be around $5K +/- a few. With the miles and the issues, I deducted some. With the good parts and recent other maintenance done, I added some back in. I hope I'm being reasonable.