My Running Issue

[Inane Cathode]

So, if anyone remembers, i had a running issue pop up this summer. During a heavy rain storm suddenly i was getting 2/3 cylinders then when my foot was all the way down it'd kick on all 4 like a light switch.
Even after i thought it dried out it was still doing it, until a few more weeks then it got better. Next time it got wet, bam, does it again.
I replaced the coil and it was still doing it, and in frustration yesterday i took a roll of paper towels and went nuts on it drying all the wires off bone dry. Suddenly, problem solved!

So, i must have a pinhole in one of the wires causing a leakage. That'd cause it to only run on two cylinders as it only has two coils, right?

[ElusiveStranger]

Happy NY mate

2 cylinders miss firing, either Ign module or coil pack (total loss spark and fires at TDC and BDC)

1 cylinder misfires: plug, cap or lead.
Simple test for this is to lick your fingers (engine running), then run them over the leads. If you crack your head whilst shooting 6' into the air...you've found the fault

My #2 cylinder (#3 in VW notation) got sea spray on it whilst on a cliff. Paper towels soon sorted it out. Subaru do have a bit of a crap design, deep plug holes therefore water catchment areas on their heads.
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'78 Bay, 2 litre 091 box, EJ20 NA & the ashtray's on the 'right' side.
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[Joel]

Time for new leads

Because they are clipped to the holders so close to the manifold any leaks in the insulation will ground out with the slightest bit of moisture, result that cylinder doesnt fire.

Been there done it with too many cars already
If you run it in the dark when it does this you will probably see a nice lightening show under the decklid.

I pressure clean (power washing to you yanks ) my engine from time to time.
With newish leads It always fires up and runs fine straight away.

I'd make a bet being a 96 it probably still has the original leads, I know my first engine still had the original 1992 leads
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1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

[Inane Cathode]

Whats interesting is i actually replaced the leads a while ago (unrelated) so these new ones must have gotten chafed. I have found a few spots that have some thin insulation from rubbing, i'll replace them.

I want to make my own leads though, i wonder if anyone sells bits and bobs for leads like that.

[doppelganger]

blow the plug holes out before removing the plugs
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[Griff71]

Inane have a look at my previous hesitation issue post. Rich Jones has also posted a response on it. However i have since solved my running on 3 and hesitation issue.

I noticed that i had a snagged wire on my lambda sensor and as well as this my exhaust before the sensor was in a very bad way (looked like a sieve). I have since fabbed a new exhaust up with a new input section for the lambda sensor. I have also tidied up and protected the lambda wiring with proper heat wrap. Now runs better than ever.

Wouldn't have put poor running down to just the lambda sensor but i suppose if the sensor is picking the exhaust is no longer doing it's job, etc it may think there is a running problem and trigger your engine to go into limp mode. I have experienced this a couple of times when i had a cracked knock sensor. My symptoms were running on 3 and very sluggish and then suddenly all 4 like a bat out of hell as my foot was flat to the floor.

Worth checking the above, also what fault codes do you have. Mine actually showed no faults while this was happening.
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89 Crew Cab (Subaru 2.5na)
71 Drag Bug (1955cc dual 40s)
65 Ragtop Bug (low & stock)