SVX community

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:08 am Post subject:

It's a '92, OBDI.
Codes for MAF and O2 sensors. MAF has been cleaned and checked by a shop, and produces the correct waveform. O2 sensors are brand new.

Have not checked for vacuum leaks or pulled the manifold, that may be next. I have checked exactly one vacuum in my life, so I have a tube with a vacuum meter on it, but basically no knowledge. Guess it's time I finally learn. Anyone want to give, or direct me to, a crash course in diagnosing vacuum leaks?

insyncro · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:22 am Post subject:

A smoke machine will pinpoint vacuum leaks quickly.

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:33 am Post subject:

Okay I've searched a bit and found this thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=461116
(funny enough, one of the top Google hits)
but I don't have a welder. Do have an air compressor though. Read on another forum that a $30 Halloween smoke machine works great. I can probably McGyver/Hardware store connections between the smoke machine and where it's going, but: where is it going?

As in, do I plug the smoke machine into some central vacuum pump area that will route to all vacuum hoses?

Also, would smoke machine smoke harm anything internal?

insyncro · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:40 am Post subject:

Smoke is being used for new car diagnosis.
Automotive smoke machines will not hurt an engine.....a non automotive smoke machine, I dont know and have no experience with that.
My smoker is a Snap On unit and hooks up to various inlets on the motor...depends upon what you are testing.

insyncro · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:40 am Post subject:

Alaric in the luxury tool thread shows a smoker in action.

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 8:10 am Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...;start=320

Looks like a really nice tool, but I don't have a G to burn on a tool. I have no idea where to start with testing once I pull the manifold. Anyone know where the vacuum pump is located?

insyncro · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 8:14 am Post subject:

I brought up smoker as most professionals will have one.
See if you can find a pro who will do a house call.

insyncro · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 8:15 am Post subject:

Most of the SVX and EG33 dedicated sites and forums will have links to the Subaru manuals for that engine.
I would find them, download them and give them a good read.

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 8:17 am Post subject:

Oh now there's an idea!
I prep, they travel and diagnose. I like it!

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 8:20 am Post subject:

I have the manuals and have done a lot of reading in the MPFI section, as those components were most suspect. Now that I'm moving on to vacuum I'll have more homework.

edgood1 · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 12:05 pm Post subject:

the shadetree way to identify a vacuum leak is to spray starter fluid over potential areas where there may be a vacuum leak while the engine is idling. If the idle rises, theres a leak. be careful doing it this way, that stuff is flammable.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject:

Can't do it that way because I need to take off the intake manifold to access all the vacuum stuff. Subaru was trying to hard at aesthetics on this engine, so they hid everything. Thanks for the suggestion though!

I think I'm going to actually look at the electrical connections to the fuel pump first though.....but I don't have the Bentley yet, or even an owners manual. Could someone be so kind as to inform me of the general location of the fuel pump and fuel relay(s)?

I'm barking up this tree because my symptoms very closely match Vanagon Syndrome. According to: http://www.benplace.com/vanagon_intermittent_syndrome.htm
the one thing that could still cause the dreaded syndrome in a subie repower is electrical/fuel delivery.

Howesight · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 4:12 pm Post subject:

I will reiterate the importance of disconnecting the four multi-pin engine connectors that sit very close to the EGR valve, cleaning them thoroughly, applying a contact enhancer, and carefully re-connecting. To be clear, I am not talking about the connection at the ECU itself, although the same procedure used on it would not hurt. The four connectors are exposed to the elements both in the factory SVX set up, and even moreso in the Vanagon SVX conversion.

Do your best to check for vacuum leaks. On a Vanagon conversion, the brake booster vacuum supply hose can be a hack job and would create a large vacuum leak if that hose is compromised.

If the above does not assist, then try these items:

1. AFM: do the factory service manual (FSM) check (part 2-7, page 68 )
2. EGR solenoid valve (FSM page 84 part 2-7)
3. EGR temp sensor (FSM part 2-7, page 100)
4. EGR system ( page 104)
5. Throttle position sensor (part 2-7, page 78
6. Coolant temp sensor (Part 2-7, page 65)

In recommending that you check the above, I am proceeding based on the symptoms you describe.

Finally, note that the ECU shuts down the fuel pump (using the fuel pump relay) if it senses voltage is below 10 volts. Bad connections and bad grounds can give a faulty voltage reading to the ECU.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

flomulgator · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 5:10 pm Post subject:

^ People like this are why I love good forums.

gears · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 1:41 pm Post subject:

If anyone can help me out of a jam, I'd appreciate it. I need the two plastic bits behind driver's side belt rollers (far right in this pic, 13533 & 13569). I can return two good pieces when my present engine is disassembled.

Edit: missing shipment of parts located (only after reordering, of course)

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

Howesight · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 1:58 pm Post subject:

Hey Gears:

I replaced those plastic items when I re-sealed the heads on my SVX. I might still have the old ones, but they had some damage. Still interested? If not, here's where I got my replacements cheaply and quickly:

http://www.trademotion.com/parts/1994/SUBARU/SVX/L...ER%20COVER

To Flomulgator:

Are you making any headway?
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

flomulgator · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 4:58 pm Post subject:

Finally got intake manifold completely off. Intake duct was a horrorshow, may not be able to get it back on.... several options there but none pleasant.

Nothing glaringly obvious yet. Just received $30 halloween fog machine today, time to McGyver a delivery system for testing. Now that I have stuff out of the way I'm going to investigate all engine connectors too.

flomulgator · Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:06 pm Post subject:

Update:
Inspected and cleaned all harness connections. Due to dust creeping in (but not past the seals) I sealed the 4 main connectors with electrical tape. I used liberal electrical contact cleaner and Q-tips. All harness and sensor connectors actually looked pretty good, but I felt it wise to take the effort to service them as best I could anyways.

Fog machine idea that everyone on the internet has but no one apparently has done: It's a crap idea. The fog is too fast and too thin. Also it condenses in a pipe fairly easily. When blown fast and hard it will make it through a system but I don't think your going to find small leaks that way (or I don't have any, the pipes looked pretty good.) Regardless, uncertain of the test results I have elected to replace all vacuum hoses to eliminate hose vacuum as a possible concern. Not sure to do about a couple preformed ones but the thin stuff is easily replaceable with auto store stuff. Also adding clamps to everything.

So, no results, just a lot of work, shopping, work and now an extra halloween fog machine (which really, I'll probably have fun with).

Mundopacheco · Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:41 am Post subject:

Can you give a more detailed account of your procedure? It condensed inside of a pipe?
Miguel

insyncro · Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:08 am Post subject:

A dedicated "automobile" smoke machine will not condense.


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