subbyrookie Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Got a 1996 Legacy with an EJ22 1998 engine that doesn't run reliable. The car will start up but stalls after a sec. Once I reset the ECU engine settles to an idle at ~600 RPM. When driving the engine runs smooth beside a bogging at 2800 RPM. CEL also stays off. Once I let it sit for a night it is back to no idle. Here is a list of things I have done before the issue came up: Replaced upstream oxygen sensor.Replaced knock sensor.Cleaned IVAC (reused gasket).Cleaned throttle body (reused gasket).Cleaned MAF.Checked and cleaned spark plugs.Complete timing belt job.Replace valve cover gaskets.New battery. Fuel in the tank is around 3 month old. Will try to clean fuel injectors next but honestly running out of ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propanejoe Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 fuel delivery issue? how old is the fuel filter? just throwing out a wild guess here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 this sounds like a vac leak, a big vac leak. it could be any of the re-used gaskets, but since the problem existed before you did the work(?) look for the large (big as your thumb) vac hose that runs from the IAC to the very bottom of the plastic air intake plenum. because of its location it is hard to see, and it is easy to knock off when ever you work with the plastic intake. or the air filter box, or the throttle body, or the IAC or the valve covers, or the spark plugs or ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbyrookie Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 Thanks for your input, much appreciated! fuel delivery issue? how old is the fuel filter Filter and fuel pump were replaced by previous owner ~ Feb this year. this sounds like a vac leak, a big vac leak. it could be any of the re-used gaskets, but since the problem existed before you did the work(?) The car did not have the problem before I did the work. It all started with a CEL for the knock sensor, an oil leak and due timing belt job. Ordered new gaskets today, they will arrive end of or next week. look for the large (big as your thumb) vac hose that runs from the IAC to the very bottom of the plastic air intake plenum. Did check that hose and it is connected. Will double check all hoses for vac leak once the new gaskets are in. I struggle to understand why the car runs fine after the reset but after parking it for the night and not touching the engine at all it doesn't idle and the ECU needs resetting again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacy1994 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 even though the CEL isn't on it may have pending codes that you can scan which would point you in the right direction. since it's a 96 (OBD2) car, you can just take it to any autozone or o'reileys or what have you and get it scanned for free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 why the car runs fine after the reset but after parking it for the night and not touching the engine at all it doesn't idle and the ECU needs resetting again. did you try to adjust the idle? you should not. the computer does this. the computer learns, and tweaks the timing and fuel trim for the conditions. if you reset the ECU it has learned nothing and defaults to some basic settings. but once it runs, it tries to adjust not only to get it to run, but to get it to run with good emissions. The car did not have the problem before I did the work. It all started with a CEL for the knock sensor, an oil leak and due timing belt job. you did something wrong, or left something disconnected. re-check the timing. if it is off you will never fix it, with parts or cleaning. what timing marks did you use? what work did you do first, timing belt? check the timing check the fuel pressure check the compression Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbyrookie Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Finally got around to work on the lego again. Don't need the car much, most of the time it sits around waiting for the ski resorts to open . Anyhow I think I figured where I screwed up. did you try to adjust the idle? you should not. the computer does this. the computer learns, and tweaks the timing and fuel trim for the conditions. if you reset the ECU it has learned nothing and defaults to some basic settings. but once it runs, it tries to adjust not only to get it to run, but to get it to run with good emissions. Didn't know how the idle is adjusted on the lego. Learnt after some research that I should not have taken the IACV apart or at least should have marked the position of the plug connector. Turned it to the clean spots from its previous position and now the car does not stall on idle anymore. Great success! check the compression If I ever get my hands on a compression gauge I will do that. When I picked up new IAC and throttle body gaskets from the dealer I asked for a quote ... $122 to perform a compression check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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