2004 WRX Power Loss? Please help...

[Sh4d0w]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and I apologize imf this question has already been answered, but I'm kinda stressed out about my new wrx.

I'm not a mechanic by any means, so please take it easy on me : /

I just purchased a wrx that I thought was in excellent shape off of a school teacher hours away from my home, on the drive home I noticed that it ran excellent, however when it was really stepped on at highway speeds the engine would almost give out for a second, and then pick back up to where it was, and kept repeating the process until I let off the gas. The first time it did the the check engine light also came on, and has been on since.

The car does not do this unless it's put under strain (not like redlining strain) and runs great for normal driving situations.

Could this be caused by the use of 87 octane fuel? Or is it a bad fuel pump or something along those lines?

I do know that the previous owner used 87 octane mores than premium, but hardly drove the car, and when they did usually didn't drive it over 3k.

What steps should i take? I added octane boost to the engine, as well as fuel injector cleaner, and about a quarter of a tank of 91 octane gas, but it doesn't seem to be helping any, and I'm down to about a quarter of a tank left.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, I'd like to be reassured my new car isn't completely screwed...

[Anub1s]

You're describing what could be severe misfire issues, or more likely boost oscillation, which can be caused by a number of things.

Was the car ever modified? If so, what was done to it?

87 octane should never be run in the car unless it's an emergency and you need to limp somewhere. It does not have enough detonation resistance for a turbocharged engine. It could be that the gas is preigniting causing detonation which can cause engine damage, but that doesn't seem like it's the probable thing.

I would take it to a trusted mechanic for a good once over. Get the plugs changed, the fuel filter replaced, air filter, engine oil and filter and maybe even a coolant flush.

Do you have maintenance records of what has and has not been done? How many miles are on the vehicle?

[Donkey]

Pretty much the problem is 87 octane.........

[Sh4d0w]

Pretty much the problem is 87 octane.........

So is it now a "permanent" problem, or a problem that after a tank or two of 91 octane it'll come out of?

I just filled it up this morning when there was about 1/4 of a tank of the "treated" 87 octane gas in it, and it still seemed to have the same issue, but I probably just hadn't given it enough time?

[Sh4d0w]

You're describing what could be severe misfire issues, or more likely boost oscillation, which can be caused by a number of things.

Was the car ever modified? If so, what was done to it?

87 octane should never be run in the car unless it's an emergency and you need to limp somewhere. It does not have enough detonation resistance for a turbocharged engine. It could be that the gas is preigniting causing detonation which can cause engine damage, but that doesn't seem like it's the probable thing.

I would take it to a trusted mechanic for a good once over. Get the plugs changed, the fuel filter replaced, air filter, engine oil and filter and maybe even a coolant flush.

Do you have maintenance records of what has and has not been done? How many miles are on the vehicle?

The car isn't heavily modified by any means, and I may take your advice on the once over, couldn't hurt anything anyways (besides my wallet). I also don't have maintenance records, though the person said they have never had any major issues with the car that needed to be fixed, and it has regular oil changes, etc.

[Donkey]

So is it now a "permanent" problem, or a problem that after a tank or two of 91 octane it'll come out of?

Fill up with 91 then reset the ECU.

[Sh4d0w]

Fill up with 91 then reset the ECU.

So I filled it up this morning with 91 octane (it was down to about 1/4 tank of octane boost treated 87 gas) reset the ECU when I saw your post, and tried it out after to no avail.

The engine still "paused" for a moment, check engine light came back on, and then had full power, and repeated. It almost seems like it stops getting gas for just a second, then continues, but doesn't have any problem with not so aggressive driving. (If my explanations of this suck, I apologize, it's hard to d with just text)

So I reset the ECU again, drove it "normal" for the evening, bought another can of octane boost and then filled it up after burning another 1/4 tank through it, and filled it up with 91 octane from there.

I haven't tested it at this stage yet, saving it for tomorrow... The car looks a lot better with the ECU reset and no check engine light. =P

Do you think it should come out of it at this point? Can you explain what you think is happening so I have a better idea?

Thanks for your help with this in advance, I really do appreciate it.

[jd92677]

What code is set in the ECU? May help to solve your problem

[Sh4d0w]

What code is set in the ECU? May help to solve your problem

Not to sound stupid, but how do you check?

[jd92677]

Not to sound stupid, but how do you check?

Take it to a garage or autozone so they can connect a scanner to it. How did you reset the ECU?

[Sh4d0w]

Take it to a garage or autozone so they can connect a scanner to it. How did you reset the ECU?

I reset the ECU by disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery, holding the brake for a few seconds, and reconnecting.

I went to the garage, they gave me the code (for free! haha I didn't think pulling into the parking lot was even free at this places >.<), it's P0244, any suggestions?

[Donkey]

Can you explain what you think is happening so I have a better idea?

Thanks for your help with this in advance, I really do appreciate it.

I think the engine is detonating with the 87. I told you to reset the ECU after filling up because that erases all the learned fuel trims and resets the knock learning and IAM. Then again I am also just speculating over the internet. For mine and my friends cars I have a datalogging cable that allows me to see live data parameters and log specific data. By using data that I can see a screenshot of what is going on and pin point problems.

P0244
Wastegate control solenoid valve malfunction (high input)
Sounds like your hitting the boost cut. Do you have a boost gauge? List all the mods done to the car.....

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/genera...-question.html

[Sh4d0w]

I think the engine is detonating with the 87. I told you to reset the ECU after filling up because that erases all the learned fuel trims and resets the knock learning and IAM. Then again I am also just speculating over the internet. For mine and my friends cars I have a datalogging cable that allows me to see live data parameters and log specific data. By using data that I can see a screenshot of what is going on and pin point problems.

P0244
Wastegate control solenoid valve malfunction (high input)
Sounds like your hitting the boost cut. Do you have a boost gauge? List all the mods done to the car.....

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/genera...-question.html

The only performance mod done to the car that I know of, (I've only owned it for 4 days) and that the person I purchased it from told me about is a performance exhaust.

Regrettably I don't have a boost gauge.

[nunez07c]

ok, guys I would like to know what gas should I be putting on my WRX, cause now I'm a little confused. To tell you the truth I've been using premium from Bp, so for that octane thing i really don't know what number. BTW if I've been putting the wrong gas type I'll change it quickly since I'm replacing the fuel filter and changing the oil sometime this week.



THanks everyone in advance .. . guys I'm really new at this. first car.

[Donkey]

ok, guys I would like to know what gas should I be putting on my WRX, cause now I'm a little confused. To tell you the truth I've been using premium from Bp, so for that octane thing i really don't know what number. BTW if I've been putting the wrong gas type I'll change it quickly since I'm replacing the fuel filter and changing the oil sometime this week.



THanks everyone in advance .. . guys I'm really new at this. first car.

Seriously? There should be numbers right on the pump. Also the highest pricest gasoline has the highest octane as well. You need to use 93 if available and if not 91."Premium" is generally 89 and "Super/Ultimate" is generally 91/93.