Looking at an extremely well-priced WRX wagon today (with cash in hand....) the only issue with the car is that it has a CEL and a code for misfire in #1 cylinder. Is this going to be easy or difficult?
It does look like the car was de-modded, but it is very clean.
Depends on what is causing the misfire.
Sometimes after I reflash a map on mine it will misfire and throw a code. This happens as soon as I start the car up then it runs fine. I clear the code and it never has a miss till the next time its flashed. Also I've only noticed the misfire problem after flashing when its cold out.
Too bad you are not closer to MA. Thinking about selling my 07 WRX.
What year is it? Does it have a lightened crank pulley or lightened flywheel (or both)? That often throws misfire codes.
Had a Forester do the same thing
It was two issues
1 bad coil pack
2 bad coil pack was caused by a dead short from the #1 piston coming apart and fussing the spark plug electrodes
Might want to remove the plug on the #1 cylinder. It ran fine, no smoke or anything, up until the piston came completely apart.
02 Wagon, stock pulley and flywheel.
It has a new hood, clutch, timing belt, and fluid changes. The marker lights are smoked with STi decals, the hatch is de-badged, and the radiator shroud is a polished aluminum piece, which all point to a previously modified car.
I have a scan tool & laptop, should I bring them?
In reply to Javelin:
Absolutely bring the scan tool and laptop. It's too bad you don't have a Tactrix cable, because you could download the map that's on there and see if anyone messed with it.
Look to see if the heat shield is around the turbo. It often doesn't get put back when people modify the wrx's. If missing, it's a big indicator that it may have had non stock tuning at some point.
If the heat shield is there look to see if it has been trimmed or if there are any bolts missing since they like to break when you try to remove them. I'm running a 3" downpipe with the OEM heatsheild and catback exhaust. Car looks stock at a quick glance.
Okay, will do. I did some Google fishing and found older pictures of the car. It had a Injen short-ram intake at one point in time (stock airbox in there now). It also still has a Subietech radiator shroud on it.
I will drag my AutoTap and laptop with me to diagnose the CEL/misfire, as well as a good flashflight and clothes to tromp around under it.
I changed the plugs in my nephew's '05 last weekend. He had complained that it had been down on power. I found that the electrical connector on one of the coil packs was not fully engaged and I suspect that it was the source of a misfire. Check for a positive connection on the side of each coil.
sachilles wrote: Look to see if the heat shield is around the turbo. It often doesn't get put back when people modify the wrx's. If missing, it's a big indicator that it may have had non stock tuning at some point.
Yep, you and Pseudosport are right about the heat shield. It doesn't fit around aftermarket downpipes (except for the flat plate HKS one) so people either mod them to fit or just toss them out.
Another thing I thought of: Also look at the hoses going to the intercooler and everywhere else, and make sure they are all securely on. they might have had an aftermarket inlet or intercooler y-pipe on there, and by not tightening the clamps up, it could have been sucking wind and leaned out or something crazy like that which may have caused a misfire.
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