mechanic58

Thanks for that info. The long start isnt so much the concern, like I said it only happens once. If the engine is cold it will fast idle in open loop for a few mins like its supposed to, but once it settles out it idles entirely too low. It takes several start/run/drive cycles for it to straighten out. I’m bout to drill a small hole in the throttle plate.

I had the engine out of this car several months ago. I checked all that stuff then. In fact I replaced all the ground straps, they were in bad shape. The car sat idle for about 18 months because the engine was blow’d up. I think you are correct.

I do fix these problems, but every time I fix one a few weeks later a new one pops up. Lately the recurring issue has been with the VVL circuit. As these engines get a lot of miles on them all of that hardware gets a little bit looser. It creates a delay in the oil pressure feedback to the VVL pressure switch. Most of the time it works OK but under certain conditions There’s enough of a time delay to cause the PCM to set a P0028 code. There’s not much I can do about it aside from putting a brand new engine in the car. I’m about to wire in an 86 relay in place of the pressure switch and signal it off of the signal wire on the solenoid. This will eliminate the time delay. Or I might just get rid of the car.

No matter what I do, the first start after a code wipe always takes an extended amount of time. Even if I wipe it and let it sit overnight before trying to start it again. This only happens on the first start, all subsequent starts are normal. It just idles too low for several dozen drive cycles after a wipe. Usually takes a couple weeks of normal driving for it to finally start acting right. Its ridiculous. Then bout the time it starts acting right it’ll pop another bs code and I have to start over again because if I don’t clear it out the ****ing cruise control is disabled. I truly hate this car. If I could get my hands on the mfr that designed the pcm logic I would choke him to death. Totally ruined a potentially great car.

Only does it on the first start attempt after a code wipe. Runs fun otherwise. Yes.

I have tried that, no dice. I forgot to mention also - after I clear codes it cranks for an unusually long time before it will start...like 8-10 seconds.

Your walves - dey are bented.

Haven't done anything yet - but there's a good chance I may set it on fire and watch it burn.

Forgot to mention this is an '09 Legacy 2.5i. Same thing happens if the battery is disconnected. I am wondering if there's a battery on the circuit board in the PCM that has gone dead that causes the memory loss everytime the power is interrupted.

Everytime I get a CEL for something stupid on this car and I hook my scanner up to read and clear the code it appears that all the stored "learned" data in the PCM is erased and it takes several days of driving before it will start acting right again. One of the most annoying symptoms is super-low idle speed. Like less than 500 rpm - so low that the power steering pump load will stall the engine when you're trying to maneuver in a parking lot, etc. Why does this happen and is there anything I can do to thwart this? There doesn't appear to be any fittings on the throttle body that would allow you to make an idle speed adjustment.

Just had this same issue on my '09, it was a pressure switch for the VVL solenoid on the driver's side bank. Bout $3 from Rockauto. I replaced both switches. They're installed in an upright position, the one on the driver's side bank is right in front and gets wet if you're driving in rain. Over time they corrode internally and then the switch fails to make. When this happens the PCM assumes that the VVL solenoid is not working on that bank or there's some problem with the oil circuit and defaults to a limp mode of sorts - won't allow WOT, etc. It's ridiculous. You can clear that code and drive the car conservatively and it won't return again until you call for enough power to activate the VVL.

I'm really struggling to understand how a cv axle could cause vibration when the car is stopped with the engine running. I had to read that about 10 times just to be sure I was reading what it appeared I was reading.

Vacuum is simple, theres only two types, primary and secondary. Primary vacuum is sourced from beneath the throttle plate and secondary from above it. Most modern engines only utilize primary vacuum as a vacuum source. Only thing you really have to figure out is which lines are switched and which ones are under constant vacuum.

Check this out...I made this video the other day after I finally discovered the source of the noise on my car.

CEL? What codes is it throwing?

Looky what I found... This is on my car, just now. Problem solved.

Well, sorta...was loose sway var links.

Welp, you nailed it.

I usually pull one of the water hoses off of the throttle body during the filling process and leave it off until I get coolant out of it, then hook it back up and continue filling. This seems to work pretty good.

I've got a random racket coming from the front suspension on my car, usually most noticable at lower speeds and maneuvering on rough terrain - some people have suggested its the sway bar bushings. You all got any input on this?

The cooling system on these engines is hard to bleed. Also, if it's "leaking oil" they're probably talking about the oil that typically leaks between the head and block on the bottom driver's side. It takes a very small quantity of 'leaked oil' to make a large mess there. You would never miss that quantity over the course of a normal oil change interval - but it will make a large mess there. Often times it'll get on the exhaust, too - and smoke when you're at a stop light. It's delightful. I have had random good luck with tightening down on the head bolts to get this to stop in the past. Doesn't always work, but sometimes it does. Do NOT loosen the head bolts and then re-torque them. If you decide to do this the best mode of attack is to just tighten down on them a bit. Sometimes they'll move easily, sometimes they won't. If they seem stuck, don't force them.

If it's noisy you need to fix it asap. The wheel bearings on these cars are not overengineered AT ALL, they are very light duty in my opinion. Also - if your car has ever been on salted winter roads get ready for some challenges in getting it apart. I just replaced both fronts on my '09 Legacy. Only one was noisy but I changed them both.

I wonder if this is the same issue at work here: https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2-stage-drivetrain-clunk-under-light-load-278602.html