Jammy Johnny Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 After reading Gambits post regarding fault codes, I have done the black plug connection and its two long blinks and three quick ones. It keeps repeating the same over and over. I now know (thanks to Gambit again) that its probably the MAF sensor that is faulty, or maybe the wiring harness connected to it. The previous owner has put a k/n panel filter in it and after some reading on here and our magic friend mr google I think maybe the oil that coats the filter has fouled the MAF. The symptoms I have are below: Rough Idling. fuel smell at idle. car runs very rough when cold (feels like misfire and jerking at low revs when driving in low gear). can feel a misfire when sitting at a constant 65 on the motorway. But the car revs well and has plenty power under load. So would a faulty MAF cause all those symptoms ? or should I change the plugs, leads and maybe coil pack. I was told by the previous owner that the only mods done were a stainless decatted exhaust system and a k/n filter. It also has had a new cambelt fitted and its only done 280 miles since.(done by previous owner). I want to get this sorted so that I can enjoy driving the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 It's very possible with the car running pull the plug off the MAF to see if it stalls out There is a few things that can be linked to poor idling but if it's had an oiled filter in I would put money that is where the problem is :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 It does stall when the plug is pulled. could be a bad plug or am I just wishful thinking lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 If it's been decatted and had a different filter should have had a remap, I'd pop in a standard paper filter in and give it a service, see how it goes, then try replacement maf, what colour sticker si on the maf housing ? Sent from my SM-T210 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 Going out to take a few photos just now Stanton. Is there 2 cats on the car? I will post the images in 20 minutes. Engine is a bit grubby looking but I will get it all nice once I get it running proper. I have all the service history and all previous mot's etc. Its done 111,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Normally when the plug is pulled and a stall occurs this means it's working, it's not the best test but it gives an indication, Standard exhaust there's one just behind the turbo and another one underneath the car in the 2nd section, the milage is nothing for these if they have been looked after [emoji3] Sent from my SM-T210 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 Top of maf is black The side has a holographic label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Are there any other stickers on the maf housing ? Normally it's a rectangular sticker on the side of the square bit on top. Will be green, red or yellow orange or purple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 There are no other markings on the maf Stanton. But I did find a broken wire which was tie-wrapped to the maf wiring loom. The image shows the break in circles and the arrow is where the wire joins the loom. I do not know what this wire is for but I have cut off the green corroded ends and joined the ends back up properly. Will test the car tomorrow. Thanks for your help 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 I'm not sure what that wire is for but hope it solves the problem :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Very odd ! If it's a three wire maf surely 2 are for current and one's a ground, how many wires coming iut of the loom, maybe it's an aftermarket maf and it's been altered to fit, Sent from my SM-T210 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 I have heard mention of people using Nissan mafs due to them being cheaper. It's possible that's what has happened here. I don't know if they are two or three wire but it could explain it. From the other side of the problem, any oiled air filters are bad for subaru mafs. The particulates of oil in the air flow, gradually deteriorate the metal strip in the MAF. I don't think it's a case of corrosion. It's more a case that oil eventually fully coats it and reduces it's ability to measure the air flow. In your picture of the MAF plug, it clearly shows 3 wires. I can't see the middle one due to the wrapping. Is that wire the same colour as the broken one you found? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 It is a three wire maf. I will trace that fourth wire at work later . Thanks all for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 I have heard mention of people using Nissan mafs due to them being cheaper. It's possible that's what has happened here. I don't know if they are two or three wire but it could explain it. From the other side of the problem, any oiled air filters are bad for subaru mafs. The particulates of oil in the air flow, gradually deteriorate the metal strip in the MAF. I don't think it's a case of corrosion. It's more a case that oil eventually fully coats it and reduces it's ability to measure the air flow. In your picture of the MAF plug, it clearly shows 3 wires. I can't see the middle one due to the wrapping. Is that wire the same colour as the broken one you found? Its a grey wire and its not from the maf loom. Its only held on to it with a tie strap. The wire runs towards the radiator. I never had time to have a look at work because I had a few MOTs to do and fit a power steering pipe to a ford fiesta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I wonder if it went to a gauge maybe runs under the alternator to the oil pressure sensor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 The wire was for the alarm switch on front panel to stop theft of engine parts I presume . On another note, I have replaced the air filter panel with an original and bought NGK platinum plugs ( not fitted yet). I managed to connect our works OBDII computer to it using an adapter that plugged into the yellow 9 pin plug thats under the steering column. The MAF showed up as a fault in history only and there were no current engine problems with Ignition on. I started the car and went through the computer again and it came up with the fault (Injector number 4 faulty). the Launch diagnostic kit is ace :) . I have put the car back off the road for now until I get a few things sorted. I want to put new injectors in, the new plugs, Clean the throttle body, fit original exhaust because I want it to be a classic original one day. So its back to my tuned bmw 318 tds for now I am also going to check the cam timing marks are all aligned. A new coil pack and leads will be fitted too. The car needs a couple of bits of bodywork done but I am going to keep a running update in a post (where can i post it) including images of all the work done making this a modern classic in original condition. Do you think I am wise doing this 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Why not mate it's your car and will good to see, yes theres a build section which you can post everything up in there along with the pics :-D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Sounds like a project to me :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Agree with the above. And sounds like it's only a minor issue so all being well when it's sorted be a damn fine car :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Interesting news on the 9 pin adaptor, I take it being a garage you have an all singing all dancing diagnostic package, As a long shot bases on your findings I've just ordered a subaru 9 to 16 pin adaptor from the bay if it doesn't work with the cheap softwarer I have then no loss if it does, opens up a whole new avenue for classic owners. Thanks :-D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Interesting news on the 9 pin adaptor, I take it being a garage you have an all singing all dancing diagnostic package, As a long shot bases on your findings I've just ordered a subaru 9 to 16 pin adaptor from the bay if it doesn't work with the cheap softwarer I have then no loss if it does, opens up a whole new avenue for classic owners. Thanks :-D We have two systems. The bigger system is OBDII only but we have a system called launch that has various connectors I will show you the adapter I used. Oh and if it asks for 16 pin or 9 pin, select 9 pin ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Image of the plugs I took out. Notice that the compression washers were not squeezed and the number 4 cylinder plug difference. The other three are sooted up. maybe a choking problem ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Cheers for the pics, looks like a right bit of kit, Has no4 not been firing ? Or do you think it's running a bit rich with the maf problem ? Sent from my SM-T210 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy Johnny Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Number four looks like its not been firing properly as you say. And it does look a little rich. Im new to subaru and Im also mainly a diesel specialist. My ignition timing is at 12 degrees, is that correct for my car. Also when on the computer the knock sensor was showing no value. it was at 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Not sure I'll let somone with more knowleged answer that, do you have the sticker on the underside of the bonnet regarding timing ? I'm sure mine says 14 degrees but could be wrong [emoji52] as that could be for autos, if no ones answered by the morning i'll have a look Sent from my SM-T210 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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