95 Legacy Starting Problem

[RyanW420]

95 subaru legacy L wagon 2.2 litre AWD single overhead cam. The problem i am having is when my car sits for a peroid of time (mostly when i park it at work and im leaving) the car will not start it will turn over consantly if i hold the key over it will eventually rumble and start or start and stall... after 1-3 try's it will start up but when i go to go forward and completely let of the clutch it will hesitate and have no power for a second and then it will just kick in and drive normal..... any idea's what this problem could be? or could anybody tell me the various things that could cause this so i can replace it before it totally goes. Thank you
Ryan

[freakray]

Check your head gasket, sounds like you have moisture getting into the cylinder.

[RyanW420]

Originally Posted by freakray

Check your head gasket, sounds like you have moisture getting into the cylinder.

how would i check for this? is there any additive i could buy to get the moisture out or condition my head gasket? seems like a rather exspensive place to start

[RyanW420]

I never have this problem in the morning it is usually ONLY when i go to leave from work and it sits for an 8-10 hour peroid

[freakray]

Check the radiator coolant to see if it's milky, if the fluid is milky or otehrwise cloudy in any way, this could indicate a head gasket leaking. Secondary to this check your plugs for corrosion.

You say it only happens at work and I see you're in NH, do you keep the car in the garage at home? If you do it could be a consequence of the cold effecting the car.
Check the battery too, it could be getting old.

[RyanW420]

no my car is always parked outside i had just boughten the car a few weeks ago and it seems like it was kept up very well but the battery looks like it could be pretty past its time... i was also thinking of changing the spark plugs and wires.
thanks for the advice i will also check the coolant

[4Wheel]

Fuel delivery or ignition problems possible and less expensive for the symptoms you described.
Could still be moisture fouling as freekray pointed out.
Check your fuel pressure, or have it checked as this is a high pressure system.
You're correct in changing your secondary ignition components it's inexpensive and a common cause for starting problems.
Always check the plug gap before installing new spark plugs. Use a round wire gauge they are the most accurate and the correct way to gap any plug.
Good luck

[RyanW420]

Originally Posted by 4Wheel

Fuel delivery or ignition problems possible and less expensive for the symptoms you described.
Could still be moisture fouling as freekray pointed out.
Check your fuel pressure, or have it checked as this is a high pressure system.
You're correct in changing your secondary ignition components it's inexpensive and a common cause for starting problems.
Always check the plug gap before installing new spark plugs. Use a round wire gauge they are the most accurate and the correct way to gap any plug.
Good luck

Thanks for the replys i am currently going out to get the wires and plugs today so we will see how that works i will keep u informed thank you