1990 Subaru Legacy 90 Legacy wont start

THEWORD24

MEMBER
1990 SUBARU LEGACY
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

My '90 Legacy Wagon will turn but won't start. I disconnected the fuel filter line that goes to the engine and cranked it and fuel shot out. Does that mean I can eliminate the fuel pump and filter as the problem? I recently replaced the alternator and the radiator, water pump and timing belt because of a bad over-heating problem. I hope that I didn't blow the head gasket, but there has been no smoke whatsoever from the exhaust. How should I diagnose the problem? I really dont want to tow it to a mechanic because if its a major problem I don't want waste more money on this vehicle.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

My '90 Legacy Wagon will turn but won't start

Get a starting fluid/ether/better off gas in a spray bottle and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 in away from ground have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor /distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, ECM, Ignitor camshaft and crankshaft sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

If both correct fuel pressure and snapping blue spark is present-check engine compression could be a valve and ignition timing, issue -this will lead you to problems with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing belt/chain