Forester XT Misfire, Cyl 1-4

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by Motorhead, Jan 17, 2017.

  1. Motorhead
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    Motorhead Well-Known Member

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    Car: 2004 Forester XT, AT,145K
    Pertinent Modifications: was stage 2 couple years. catless UP, FWIW.
    Description of the problem:
    Hesitation issue then CEL light came on and have been diagnosed w/misfire on Cylinders 1-4.
    Recent maintenance or modifications: Valve job incl new valves, guides, ground, etc. by reputable Subaru shop in Feb 2015.

    Currently at Bloomington Subaru and they are saying engine needs to be replaced per Service person which is only person I have talked to. Technician said coilpacks are all good . Asked them to do leak down test.

    Please provide me some good advice and direction on other potential issues. Reviewed other recent misfire thread which already having them do leak down and will add turbo portion. Getting tired of issues on this car.
    Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

    Anybody want to purchase my car, haha!
     
  2. tangledupinblu
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    tangledupinblu Event Coordinator Staff Member

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    Pics!? Lol
     
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  3. Krazylegz1485
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    Krazylegz1485 Well-Known Member

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    Ditto! Wife wants a Forester. Haha.

    Did it just start happening randomly?
     
  4. TMF
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    TMF Well-Known Member

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    Last time the plugs were replaced?
    Have injectors been checked?

    Although a leak down and/or compression test should be the first, all-telling test.

    Sorry to hear about the issues...hopefully it isn't a full engine replacement!
     
  5. idget
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    idget Want to pokéman? PM ShortytheFirefighter Staff Member

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    Misfire on 1 and 4 or 1 through 4?

    I'd guess boost leak if all cylinders. Maybe at the turbo inlet if that's original.

    I'd test compression first. If good, boost leak test.
     
  6. Motorhead
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    Motorhead Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the quick responses. Dealer doing compression test today. Will ask them to do boost leak test.

    Dealer initially suggesting taking the easy route and replace motor.
     
  7. jmyhre05
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    jmyhre05 Well-Known Member

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    A couple of the dealers locally hate Diagnosing the turbo models and just jump to tearing it down because then they can easily fix a boost leak along the way. Take it to Minnetonka Subaru or a Subaru specialist shop. RS motors in South Metro or else our shop at JM Automotive in North Metro.

    www.facebook.com/jmautomn
     
  8. Motorhead
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    Motorhead Well-Known Member

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    Quick update:
    - Leakdown test passed
    - Compression was good at 110-113 PSI for all cylinders
    - Swapped coil packs around to find (1) bad one. Asked them to do this first before anything which they said coil packs were all good. New coil pack to be installed.
    - Ceramic cracked on one plug. New plug to be installed.

    In the end it was nothing major so glad about that while need to talk to service person about even performing a leakdown test when coilpack was actually bad.

    Thanks again for responses and really happy to have such great resource as MN Subaru forum for logical advice!
     
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  9. JasonoJordan
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    JasonoJordan Well-Known Member

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    Id be curious to find out how they figure all the coil packs are good and why they didnt check the plugs when the coil packs were determined fine.
     
  10. tangledupinblu
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    tangledupinblu Event Coordinator Staff Member

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    No doubt.

    I'd recommend JMA to you for any future needs.
     
  11. TMF
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    TMF Well-Known Member

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    Glad to hear it wasn't an engine failure! I'm actually a little surprised that they jumped to that conclusion, but I'm glad to hear they heeded your advice and did the proper troubleshooting. Here's to hoping for another 145k!