Here we go again...

[_Al_]

My Impreza had a rebuilt engine a little over 3,000 miles ago. Now there's a loud ticking coming from the drivers side of the engine near the turbo which rises and falls with the engine revs.

I mention this as background information however because the main problem is the MOT failure today. Apparently the car is in excellent condition apart from the following problems:

Fast idle test:

CO limit: <= 0.300%
CO actual: 4.707%

HC limit: <=200ppm
HC actual: 113ppm

Lambda limit: 0.970-1.030
Lamda actual: 0.859


Second idle test:

CO limit: <= 0.300%
CO actual: 3.202%

HC limit: <=200ppm
HC actual: 94ppm

Lambda limit: 0.970-1.030
Lamda actual: 0.902


Natural idle test:

CO limit: <=.500%
CO actual: 0.494%



As I read that it's running very rich, but not throwing out unburnt hydrocarbons. Is this just an oxygen sensor in the exhaust or is that ticking noise telling me something more serious?

The MOT garage didn't know where to start with it.

Any ideas appreciated!

[Holst]

Im not an expert but high CO might indicate a cat problem.

You should be able to test the lamda sensor and see if thats faulty as well.

Its probably worth taking it to a scooby specialist if your worried about the ticking, better safe than sorry.

[Vixpy1]

You might have blown a manifold or turbo gasket which is causeing the lamda to see a lean mixture and inject unwanted fuel..

Get it down the scoobyclinic

[_Batty_]

Vixpy1 said:

You might have blown a manifold or turbo gasket

that would have been my first thought.....


also remind me never to buy a car from you....

[_Al_]

It doesn't have a cat as far as I know - didn't think a 1993 import needed one?

I thought something might be leaking - that'd possibly explain the ticking noise.

How can I test the probe? I'd rather not drive it too far right now, just in case the tick becomes a BANG.



I've just checked the oil there's a lot missing considering I've only driven 550 miles since I last checked. There's nothing on the drive so it must be burning it - is this causing the emissions?

[MrFlibbles]

_Batty_ said:

also remind me never to buy a car from you....

• raises hand* best not get one from me either

Al - how much oil exactly has it used in those 500 miles?

[_Batty_]

hmmm, just how much has it used al? a litre?
or more than the bottom of the stick?

any visable leakages?

does she smoke when cold (indicating a knackered turbo seal etc)
fraid im not a scoob expert

[_Al_]

It doesn't have a cat as far as I know - didn't think a 1993 import needed one?

I thought something might be leaking - that'd possibly explain the ticking noise.

How can I test the probe? I'd rather not drive it too far right now, just in case the tick becomes a BANG.



I've just checked the oil there's a lot missing considering I've only driven 550 miles since I last checked. There's nothing on the drive so it must be burning it - is this causing the emissions?

[_Al_]

MrFlibbles said:

_Batty_ said:

also remind me never to buy a car from you....

• raises hand* best not get one from me either

Al - how much oil exactly has it used in those 500 miles?

I am such a f g muppet. The marks on the bottom of the dipstick were traces of oil. I didn't wipe it off and re-check. I just tried topping it up.

In spite of the fact it used no oil for 1,000 miles after the last oil change (checked weekly) in the last 550 miles (not checked as the weather has been so bloody cold) it has used 3.5 litres!!!

What can cause a car to go from no detectable oil use to that?

I've only been doing runs to collect the shopping and girlfriend. The only serious use it got was a cross country run at the weekend, but even that wasn't really thrashing, just occasional bursts.

Could this be a turbo seal? Throwing out tons only when I'm on boost?

I'm seriously angry now, with myself more than the car, but with the car as well. It only had a rebuild 4,000 miles ago, how is this happening?



ETA: All ticking noises have disappeared now there's oil in the poor thing.

Where is the oil pressure/level warinng light sensor - mine clearly needs some attention!

Edited by _Al_ on Monday 17th December 20:16

[DocJock]

The oil pressure warning light is useless, the threshold is (IIRC) 8 psi, ie fubared motor.

[WeirdNeville]

Is it dropping oil or burning it? I guess your bay should be relatively clean if it's had an engine rebuild recently. Are there any traces of oil near the crank seals? If you can get to it, check the turbo oil lines - if they crack then they can throw oil out very quickly.

Other than that, a failed turbo can burn your oil quickly (and play havoc with your emissions). White smoke on full throttle should give it away....

[_Al_]

That's the confusing part. Car is always parked in the same place but there's not a drop under it. That implies it's burning it, but there's nothing visible out of the exhaust.

[liner33]

Are we sure a '93 import wont need a cat ???

My 94 Skyline "should" have a cat and did from the factory but on the mot computer i use it comes up as a 240k Skyline which doesnt require a cat test.

Skylines will usually fail the mot emissions if a check is actually carried out, there was a black hole with regards to emissions data not being available for many imports but they are closing that up, there is never any legal requirement for a cat but many cars will struggle to pass an emissions test without one.

Has you car had a emissions test in the past???

WRT the oil, often after a rebuild you will use a little more than usual, just keep an eye on the level and in the rear veiw mirror when you boot it.

[stevieb]

For the ticking noise, are your injectors new on the rebuild, as my injectors are extremely noise, and has been suggested to me to replace them.

But seems like your turbo is in need of a rebuild or a new turbo alltogether..

[_Al_]

The ticking has gone now there's oil in it. The car has been emissions tested in this country before and passed.

Has anyone got a guide to checking the ECU for faults? It used to be easy on the MR2. I'm hoping the car might know what's wrong..

[GravelBen]

_Al_ said:

Has anyone got a guide to checking the ECU for faults? It used to be easy on the MR2. I'm hoping the car might know what's wrong..

www.troublecodes.net/Subaru


hth

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 19th December 03:16

[_Al_]

GravelBen said:

_Al_ said:

Has anyone got a guide to checking the ECU for faults? It used to be easy on the MR2. I'm hoping the car might know what's wrong..

www.troublecodes.net/Subaru


hth

And you Sir, are now owed a beer!


Codes 24 and 31.

24: Air control valve or circuit (exc. Justy); Idle speed control solenoid valve (Justy)
31: Throttle position sensor or circuit


Now for reference the car idles fine, so it's an air control valve or a throttle position sensor issue. Does anyone have a copy of or link to the manual for a 1993 car so I can check the values and test them?

[NDT]

_Al_ said:

GravelBen said:

_Al_ said:

Has anyone got a guide to checking the ECU for faults? It used to be easy on the MR2. I'm hoping the car might know what's wrong..

www.troublecodes.net/Subaru


hth

And you Sir, are now owed a beer!


Codes 24 and 31.

24: Air control valve or circuit (exc. Justy); Idle speed control solenoid valve (Justy)
31: Throttle position sensor or circuit


Now for reference the car idles fine, so it's an air control valve or a throttle position sensor issue. Does anyone have a copy of or link to the manual for a 1993 car so I can check the values and test them?

Do you know of the 'secret but everybody knows it' EC reset trck for import Imprezas?
Have a look on Scoobynet, it'll be on there.
Air control valves can get gummed up IIRC - should be easy to take off and clean with carb cleaner.

[_Al_]

Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow!

[MrFlibbles]

Merry Christmas!