Hello, all. Specs--2005 Subaru Forester 2.5XT, automatic, 178kmiles, I forget the code on IBDII scans but the numbers refer to fuel cap not being tight. I have replaced the fuel cap, spark plugs, battery. Daughter's car and here's how it happens:
1)stops for fuel (87 octane)
2)gets fuel
3)Car will turn over but will NOT start for 10-15. minutes. This is repeated behavior
4)happens randomly and NOT at all fuel stops nor any other short stop and restart of engine.
I theorized vapor lock but have not seen this since carbureted cars in the 60s-70s. The fuel pump has not shown any pressure issues nor problems at any other time. I had her give a little pedal depression and holding it there while trying to start it. The car started, revved for a second then died. Not throttle body as it should have remained running with the manual addition of fuel feed. This car also, occasionally, suffers from the dreaded Parking switch "wont start/out-of-gear" behavior and she and I know to put the car in N to start when this happens. Not the issue.
Like clockwork, 10-15 minutes pass with and without several attempts of restarting in between, and the car starts. She drives away safe and the car runs like a top. I had seen some report of a fuel sensor and a broken connector near the top of the engine bay but this is not a constant. It is intermittent in occurrence but 100% the same behavior when it does occur. It has happened 3-4 times the last year. She has owned the car for 3.5 years. Aside from this the car has been pretty indestructible. I'm just waiting for the heads to blow as the head gaskets are leaking (common issue for pretty much all Subs built 2000-2015). I'm just not convinced it's worth the $3k for new head gaskets at this age. A newer car with more safety equipment is about $6k.
Sadly, she is in another state for college and only comes home every few months. I had it for 3 weeks over the summer without issue. 3 months later it happened. Shrug.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Could be a problem like a bad evap canister vent valve which will flood the engine out pray it's that simple
@scottykilmer
Many thanks. I'll give it a whirl.
Many, thanks, Scotty. It was indeed the evaporator valve. Just as a warning to others, I found the 2005 Forester has the evap valve on top of the engine. Every source I found on youtube had this barrel-shaped unit in the back above the charcoal canister. that's NOT the unit you want for the 05 forester. it doesn't even exist for the 05 forester. You need the unit atop the engine. Thanks again, for the help. I'm an old school self-taught mechanic due to being broke kid with a really used 77 Accord. I tend to do my own smaller/med repairs when stuff breaks not under warranty. I appreciate an honest mechanic as you are a rare bread.