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Hi all,
I have a problem with the Idle on my 92 EJ22 auto liberty.
Once warm, and at a standstill (eg traffic lights), the idle drops down till the car starts spluttering, then after about a second it picks itself back up to around 1200rpm. then it drops back down to spluttering again. whole cycle takes maybe 2-3 seconds.

CEL is giving me knock sensor code.

Took it to subie mech. they said i have blown head gaskets, bad swaybar links and faulty knock sensor.

Things i have tried sofar...
-New knock sensor. (still get the code after leaving for 12hrs with batt disconnected, then starting and leaving til warm.)
-Compression test- all cylinders between 151 and 153 lbs/sq-Inch
-New leads
-New plugs
-Just pulled off the Air Idle control valve and gave it a sprucing with some carby cleaner. (it wasnt that dirty when i took it off though.)

Any tips much appreciated.
Tim.

read this thread it may help you

showthread.php?t=19809

TOONGA

If it is not a head gasket, plugs, or leads, or your knock sensor (i dont know anything about it).
I would say it would have something to do with the carby/airfilter, or a stretched accelerator cable.
Hope you find the problem
Cam

thanks brumbykid, I'm trying some injector cleaner at the moment, see how that goes.. injectors were cleaned about 20,000kms ago if it matters?

TOONGA: thanks for the link, might be a problem solver.. only problem now is that link flies way over my head.

I had a good look under the dash, and couldnt see the custard pllug shown in the last photo of that link.
Looks like it might be in the chassis somewhere...?

Any help, or more basic instructions would be excellent if anyone has the time.

Thanks once again for all the help you guys give us noobs. very much appreciated!

Cheers,
Tim.

Tim, yes an engine (oil) flush, and injector/carby cleaner would never go astray.
If you need help in how to do anything dont be afraid to ask.
Cam

While your at it a rdiator flush would help clean out your cooling system, and if there is a broken head gasket (i dought it) it would clean that up to. (but not fix it)
To do all this. Carby/injector air filter, oil flush/ change, Radiator flush change.
you should get a fair bit of change from $200
Cam

Cheers,
Radiator flush was done about 10,000km ago when i replaced a cracked radiator.
oil flush/change done about 1000kms ago,
air filter 10,000km ago
carby cleanered air idle control valve and all round/in throttle body yesterday.

Still worth doing?

Found this interesting thread on knock sensors...
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/sho ... post997387

realised i had put my sensor on the wrong angle, and way overtight...
Changed it to what it supposed to be, but there is a little gap like the one in the last photo of the link... maybe not that big though...

having the knock sensor on the right way may have changed my idle a little bit, but its still pretty rough....

recon i should splash out on another $75 knock sensor in 3 weeks?

Yeah, if its not running to well then you may as well.
if you are conserned that it may have a headgasket, cracked, rusted head, or anything like this even in early stages, then some chemytec would be good. if you ever do have a broken gasket and you know what your doing, dont go to subaru. for my Brumby i was quoted $2,500. Or to by an aftermarket Valve regrind kit (every gasket and seal in head)Aprox $100-200 to do it myself

As i said $200 with change for the basics!
Cam

Passenger side intake manifold gasket seems to be the problem.
Mech friend of mine found it.

Guess its always worth going back to basics

Anyone done a manifold gasket before? any hiccups.

Cheers for the help,
Tim.

thats great if that is the problem it is an easy fix

getting the gaskets is the biggest issue

between 7 and 20 dollars a gasket depending on who you get them through

the biggest hassle you will have is unhooking the wiring and associated stuff on the manifold to get it off.

TOONGA