legacycentral bbs

hey guys, the wifes car a 1998 legacy L wagon 2.2 automatic is running funny when it starts. like a vacume leak, idles below a G and bounces for a sec then goes back to normal. with a rich exhaust smell too .no check engine light or any other speical lights. it dosent do it all the time wich is the weired part. i did new plugs ngk with propper gap and wires. fuel filter. knock senser. could it throw codes even with no light? the car runs fine all the time. it does it when its cold and warm. any hints would help me out alot. thanks. its got like 150k on it and its an automatic, non turbo. hope thats enough info.

Any idea if the coolant temp sensor has ever been replaced? Might not be a bad idea to replace it. Your symptoms aren't exactly like a typically bad coolant temp sensor, but it can't hurt. They're about $20 from one of the online subaru dealers.

Have you checked the IAC valve or cleaned it?

I'm on it. I'll let you know what happens . My buddy works at the auto parts store, so I'm goin to a see if he can plug into it. See what happens. Thanks

negative on the temp sensor. whats the IAC valve. i noticed last night it was getting warm but when i floored it it would get a flow of coolant and go back to bout half way on the guage. im getting a thermostat tonight maybe its sticky or somthin.

Make sure you get an OEM Subaru thermostat. Do not use a generic autoparts t-stat.

GOOD CALL. i went and got one lastnight. ill take it back and get an oem one. thanks. its a job for this weekend.