Bucking from stop when cold

1998 SUBARU FORESTER
160,000 MILES • 2.5L • 4 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
Avatar
JOHN ROBINSON2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have been experiencing bucking when starting from a stop when the car has not fully warmed up yet. Can hear the exhaust banging around when this happens. I have been getting white smoke/steam from the tail pipe for just a few minutes when cold, disappears shortly after or when I give it a good rev. I am also getting a strong fuel smell like the car is running rich, it idles fine when when cold.

Once the car has warmed up enough, the bucking does not happen. I have been lately letting the car warm up completely before driving it to avoid this problem.


Any ideas what could be the problem?

Thanks!
John
Oct 28, 2018 at 11:06 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the engine is misfiring. We should run the codes though please run down these two guides and get back to me.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-tune-up-a-car-engine

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken

Oct 30, 2018 at 1:16 PM