Subaru running a bit lumpy

[dan the man]

Hi, I'm new to this site but having read a few threads it's clear you know what you're talking about so I was wondering if you could help.

I have recently purchased a 78 westfalia bay with a Subaru EJ22 (think that's what it's called? 2.2 16v) it was converted by tsr which I know a lot of you aren't that impressed with however it runs great and apart from the radiator being in the wrong place(which I will sort later this year) I am really happy with it.

So we took her to Kent this week so from wetherby it's around a 500 mile trip, on the way down she ran perfect, an effortless 70-75 mph on the motorway and idling for ages in traffic, however on Thursday on a quick trip out to the shops in heavy rain she just felt a bit rough, still drove ok but I could almost feel a very slight miss/hesitation on acceleration, still drove ok, still idled ok. On the way home yesterday we got stuck in endless traffic jams and she still idled fine and when we were moving 60-70 was no problem but it just felt like something wasn't right and she was definitely lacking a bit of power.

I haven't checked anything yet so just wondered if anyone has any experience of a known fault? I assume I need to start with plugs, leads, coil packs? I was thinking if it was damp from the rain it would have dried out or would you recommend a water dispersant spray?

Sorry for the long dull text and if anyone has managed to stay awake this long I'd be really grateful for some advice, thanks Dan

[dan the man]

Just been out and started the camper and listened to it warming up and it is just slightly missing, just not as smooth as it was. Now I'm a bit concerned that its the belt timing like the other thread on here where the woodruff had moved? Would it have driven and idled as it did if the timing were out?

[dan the man]

Sorry another question, where do I find the engine number ? I think I'll need to know the age of the engine for parts? I assume it possible to age the engine from its number? If so is there a link to another site?

Thanks again Dan

[Kai]

Hi,welcome


It's good you've seen Paul's thread, your problem could be the same I'm afraid to say it. When was the last time you torqued up the crank bolt???

It only takes a casual hour to remove the crankshaft pulley and check the timing marks and get it all back together. Knowing the details of what happend with Paul I would be going down that route first, especially as its a TSR job.

When the same happened to my diesel mitsubishi we spent ages looking else were and pulling the crankshaft pulley was left until last as nothing else cured the rough running and under powering. on a plus note though after we cured the crank shaft it ran absolutely perfectly as everything was then running 110%.

Go check the timing properly and come back.
_________________
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Don't sleep and drive!!!

[dan the man]

Hi Kai, thanks for your reply.
First stupid question of today is is the crank bolt left or right hand thread and is the best way to undo it put it in gear with the handbrake on?
Once I've got the bottom pulley off and can see the timing marks is it obvious which marks line up with what? Haven't had to check this for a while, thanks Dan

[Kai]

Yes it's a right hand thread on the crank bolt.


There are many different methods to undoing a crank bolt and handbrake and gearbox method is how I've done mine in the past. You should be good to do it that way.

My knowledge really only covers the quad cam motors, haven't got a dual can one to play around with.

I know that there are plenty of threads out the on the net covering cam belt changes so be best to search up on it really.

Have a go and let us know what you find. It could all be a total waste of time but at least then we know the basics are being covered.
_________________
Think......

Don't sleep and drive!!!

[paulvandenton]

hi, having just spent this weekend doing this, i will tell you how easy it was to do, i put it off at first because it seemed daunting but im kicking myself now that i didnt do it sooner.

When undoing my crank bolt all i did was to put it in 4th and chock the wheels or got my mate to tread on brakes. It came off really easy, too easy as that was my problem!!!!

So take off the pulley, then the plastic covers. And have a look, it will be totally obvious if your keyway is mashed. To do the timing belt on a sohc is really easy, there are notches on the face of the cam pulleys, these all need to point up with the mark on the back cover and the crank gear has a mark on one of the lobes at the rear of the gear, these also needs to point up at the notch on the oil pump cover. Thats it, if your belt has timing marks on it, u just line them up to the corrosponding notches, that way you can count the teeth on the belt for a secondary check.

Theres loads of guides out there, the best i found was from the dude on here

http://youtu.be/nzR3-QI1hfc


Like kai said its just an hours job. Have a look. Only thing would be retightening to 140 lbfoot, i got my dad to borrow a massive torque wrench!!

[Joel]