Our '02 H-6 Outback suddenly started running poorly tonight - it runs fine at idle and up to 1/8 to 1/4 throttle, but as soon as you ask for more power it just falls on its face. If you can get it to rev up to around 5K, it perks up some but still isn't running like it should. I at first suspected a plugged cat, but after driving it some I don't think this is it, as the break point between running OK and not is very distinct.
I haven't had a chance to connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail yet but I suspect that this may be a case of low fuel pressure, possibly caused by the O-ring popping out of the cap beside the fuel pump as I have seen in a couple of threads here. Most of the descriptions seem to indicate that the car just quit running, though, not running but at reduced power.
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/26419-2001-subaru-just-shut-down-2.html
Has anybody seen the infamous O-ring cause symptoms such as the ones I'm seeing, or if not any ideas where to look next?
Also, what pressure should I be seeing on the fuel rail at idle? The manual I have isn't very complete as far as diagnosis but it does call out a pressure range from the pump of 54-98 psi.
Thanks!
I haven't had a chance to connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail yet but I suspect that this may be a case of low fuel pressure, possibly caused by the O-ring popping out of the cap beside the fuel pump as I have seen in a couple of threads here. Most of the descriptions seem to indicate that the car just quit running, though, not running but at reduced power.
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/26419-2001-subaru-just-shut-down-2.html
Has anybody seen the infamous O-ring cause symptoms such as the ones I'm seeing, or if not any ideas where to look next?
Also, what pressure should I be seeing on the fuel rail at idle? The manual I have isn't very complete as far as diagnosis but it does call out a pressure range from the pump of 54-98 psi.
Thanks!