Legacy GTB engine worries, can you help?

[suffolk009]

Hi, my lovely 99 Legacy GTB has developed a bit of an engine issue. Driving back from Wales, 4 hours at 70-ish mph, and the engine has developed a noticeable stutter, not quite a cough, but a definate reluctance and a lack of torque below 4,000rpm. At 4000rpm it all suddenly clears up - below that gutless, reluctant and hesitant. It's also getting a bit tricky to get it to pull away from standstill without stalling - needs more revs than usual.

The car has done 150k miles, and I asume is still on the original engine.

Any help, advice, ideas, or consolation will all be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance.

[FlatPack]

I changed the lambda sensor on my GTB when it had similar symptoms and that fixed it

I've also had trouble with the MAF sensor which felt pretty similar, but didn't clean up in the same way at around 4000RPM. I think the ECU goes open loop on fueling there and stops listening to the lambda sensor, hence the problem going away.

[markCSC]

At what revs does the 2nd turbo kick in? Just wondering if it might be a boost leak on the 1st turbo??? Although more likely what Flatpack said.

[suffolk009]

Thanks guys, I've been looking a bit further afield on the net since my first post. It seems that its a worryingly common problem. Most people fix with a combination of moving the knock sensor, replacing the lambda sensor, new HT leads or buying high-end petrol. Guess I'll try the lot.

[markCSC]

Good luck

Are you register on http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/? My brother has found it really useful with his GTB

[suffolk009]

Thanks guys.

But my luck ran out.

There I was driving up to the garage to have a go at fixing it this afternoon, and the there was a horrible mechanical sound, no torque, limp along to the garage 1 mile away.

It was the 1st turbo that had finally given up and lunched itself.

Am now crying on the inside at the thought of a new (even recon or from a scrappie) engine. And the cost of it...

[Vixpy1]

Sounds like Maf to me

[JontyB4]

If you look under the steering column for a pair of green and black small connectors and put them together then turn the ignition on, check the sequence, if at all, the check engine light flashes. First are long pauses i.e. 1 long pause is 10, 2 is 20, then small pauses i.e. single units.One long pause and 1 small pause is 11 for example.

Codes would point to a knackered sensor if it's that?

[suffolk009]

it really is a turbo failure. Unmistakeable horrible sound of metal bits doing what they shouldn't do.

[markCSC]

Ooo bugger. I think the turbo is a VF33

[GravelBen]

On a 99 I think it will be a VF26 (with VF27 secondary), IIRC the VF 33/32 combo wasn't until the mid-01 revision.

Unless bits of turbo have managed to get into the engine you shouldn't have to replace the engine just the turbo.

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 28th April 10:21

[markCSC]

What garage did you take it too? If you're near Ipswich I'd recommend Frosts http://www.fmsauto.co.uk The guy has worked on Subaru for years and really knows his stuff.

[micron750]

Try the link for Uk legacy the guys on there a fab and you can get a load of parts on there a lot cheaper than elsewhere the guy you may want to try is Nutbeam he seems to have or can get hold of most things.
Honestly theres no better place if you own a GTB like i do too

[JontyB4]

I'll second that, Nutbeam is the man when it comes to Leggy's and UKLegacy, of which I'm a member, is a fantastic resource for Legacy owners!

[suffolk009]

thanks everyone have started a new thread un uklegacy. Will be interesting to see what they suggest.

Cheers.