2003 Subaru Outback 2.5 - missing under load, snap

[mrsilv04]

I'm trying to get out of town on vacation early on Thursday, Sis called me and said her 2003 Outback 4 cylinder just started missing under load, and there's a random sharp snapping noise under the hood.

I haven't seen it, and I'm short on time to get it fixed. But it sure sounds like a bad plug wire to me. from what I'm being told.

Is there anything else I should buy, just to be sure? I'm definitely not going to replace the plugs at this point, if I don't have to, considering it is the opposed four. Do these even have a replaceable cap?

 

[krismoriah72]

Bad ignition coil and possibly wires. Easy to do right on top of motor. 14 years of heat cycles is hard on the plastics.

 

[BAJA_05]

Sounds like it could be a bad wire also. Gonna need a new set at the least. My friends 05 Baja with the 2.5 NA was missing under load also & very hesitant. Honestly, dumped back to back treatments of Techron Complete Fuel System cleaner in it & it woke the motor right back up. Not saying your sisters does not need new plugs/wires. I recently changed the plugs on my friends Subaru with NGK Iridiums & it runs great. Note, she has 77 thousand plus on the motor. Just my two cents. Your sister must have a good mechanical ear to hear this snapping noise under the hood.

 

[Rob_Roy]

Time for a wireset.

 

[meep]

yup. they are very short wires on that engine. Easy to pull and inspect, or just swap all 4. If it's like my '97 was, it's a wasted spark ignition so the wires do double duty.