Why is my 2009 Subaru wrx struggling, stuttering and sluggish?
Asked by SubaruCalifornia Jun 16, 2018 at 05:32 PM about the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX Base
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Last year and a half I had to get get my block honed from the dealer due to
warpage, they said I wasn't letting it idle down in temperature, and I had to get
the transmission rebuilt and had the clutch replaced while they had access.
I hadn't driven it much since I was recovering from surgery to repair a left
snapped distal bicep tendon but now I'm back to driving it and it feels
underpowered almost starved and stutters and shutters like it doesn't have
enough fuel.
I took it back to the transmission shop and they said it was a fuel problem but,
it doesn't sputter while revving it in neutral...absolutely zero fuel feed issues
when not in gear.
It has under 80K miles and I love my car and miss how responsive it used to be
since my wife's Hyundai Accent can out accelerate my Subaru going up an
onramp.
I'm not ready to sell it since it cost me 8K to"fix" it.
Any help with my problem would be greatly appreciated.
12 Answers
Is the check engine light on? What warped? The block or the heads?
That the engine runs OK with no load means nothing. If this problem started after it sat for a year and a half the fuel system may be gummed up. Try a fuel system cleaner.
SubaruCalifornia answered 6 years ago
Thanks for your response F_O_R, They honed the block. I haven't tried a fuel system cleaner, any recommendations?
They honed the cylinders? In that case they must have installed new pistons and rings? For a fuel system cleaner I like Techron.
Another question. Are you getting full boost?
SubaruCalifornia answered 6 years ago
Hi F_O_R, I honestly don't remember about the pistons and rings, I just remember being upset that it took them over a month to complete the repair even with a loaner vehicle. As far as the boost goes, I am not sure if I'm getting full boost but, I do know that when I ask for a bit more than gradual acceleration from my gas pedal, the power is noticeably hampered and remains that way for some time but usually evens out. I can achieve the desired speed and it doesn't always bog down but, it seems to only be getting worse. I am going to rundown my tank and try the Recur in, fingers crossed.
I would run the fuel system cleaner and try to read any pending trouble codes. I wish you luck.
SubaruCalifornia answered 6 years ago
Hey F_O_R, Just an update on my WRX, I ran the thank down and added a bottle of Techroline and ran it a couple hundred miles. I'm happy to report that the sluggish, responsiveness is now gone! Unhappy to report that on my way home, we pulled over and switched drivers without turning the engine off, just a quick switch, that's when I noticed the traction control light, ABS light, and the hill hold lights were all on and the cruise control was no longer available I feel like this car is just one thing after another for the past couple of years and I don't drive it hard like I want to. I forgot to mention that I only have one speaker working as well so, crappy tunes on my long drive. I was going to fix them but, maybe an access port might serve me better than speakers would. Hope you had a good 4th of July.
