Canister purge solenoid, O2 sensor

[Tim Catton]

I have a '94 Legacy wagon with just over 200K on it. When driving short errands around town it has a tough time starting after sitting just for a short time. It almost seems like it is flooding. The check engine light comes on, although once I get going it seems to run fine. When I get in it in the morning, no lights, everything is fine, although it seems to run a bit rich at start up. It seems to be worse during hot weather. I took it to the dealer to read the codes and they said it was the canister purge solenoid and O2 sensor codes. I went throught the checks of the purge solenoid as outlined in my Haynes manual (vacuum present, although I don't have a vacuum gauge to measure it, 45 ohms across the solenoid, 12V at the wiring with ignition on). The car is running great otherwise, 30 mpg on trips. I did just have to replace the fuel tank filler pipe, rusted out at the bottom of that trap, but I don't think that would have contributed? Any thoughts?

[ericem]

Maybe you need a temp sensor(only $20 sensor). The one for the ECU not for the guage.

[Legacy777]

I'd suggest checking the codes again yourself when the light comes on. Clear the codes, and double check the same codes come back.

Instructions are on my site

www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/engine.html

The canister purge solenoids can intermittantly start to go bad. I'd recommend replacing it, as it may be sticking open, or causing issues, before continuing to diagnose further.