Sputtering backfires and bogging

I've had my 2008 WRX for about a year now and ive been having throttle problems since last fall. It stated with needing to let the bike idle for a few minutes before setting off or it would cut out as soon as i blipped the throttle. It then turned into starting to bogg down horribly the first few times accelerating from a stop on a ride, but after that it was all good.

Yesterday i went out for a ride because it finally got above 50 and the bike cut out twice trying to leave the parking lot (even after letting it warm up). It did the bogging under acceleration as usual for the first stoplight but when i got in the frontage road and opened her up to full throttle it started rapid backfiring horribly through several gears and i had to pull off the road.

I started off again and something felt really wrong during high RPMs. It had no power and was prone to backfiring after anything above about 6000. Then it kept dying while idling and cutting out when i tried pulling away from a stop.

I pulled into a parking lot and tried to mess with the FMF programmer but nothing helped (its always been on the settings they recommend for my mods).

I eventually got it home having to hold RPMs when stopped and being absurdly slow and easy with the throttle when pulling away. Today i disconnected the programmer but it does the same thing with stock programmer (dying if i try to do any throttle before its been idling for a few minutes, dying if i throttle quickly, and backfiring like a sunabitch once i get above 6000RPM or so.

The only thing i can think of since its not the programmer is that the jets need to be cleaned. I might try finding some fuel additive to try and clean them becuse getting the throttle body out is a pain in the a** and i dont have the time or tools up here at college.

Any advice yall have would be greatly appreciated. I use this bike to get to class and really need it up and running.

Can you pull the fuel pump and take a look to see if the filter is plugged up?

Maybe i will have time next weekend to do it. If it is clogged up what could i do to ensure it doesnt again?

Hey mate i would start off by replacing the spark plug....Cheap and relatively easy to replace + several others with similar symptoms have solved the issue with a new plug.

How many miles on the ODO overall, also how many miles have you done since ownership ? ( Have you ever inspected / replaced the plug ? ).

Cheers.

The bikes got around 23000 i think (havnt noticed in a while). Got it with 20k. I rebuilt the top end over the summer and the spark plug didnt look too bad but it'd be worth replacing while ive got the tank off to check the fuel filter. Thanks for the input!

Heres what the plug looked like last july:

Not sure if the filter is serviceable on the fuel pump. I don't think so.

I do have a pump assembly from my 2012 that has a broke outlet tube - broke it when I made a bonehead move removing the tank.

PM me if you should think you would need it.

Thanks for the offer, Ill keep it in mind.

I got out and rode it today despite being in the 40's outside. It felt a lot better, not as prone to cutting out and only did the backfiring thing twice. I think in going to get some Seafoam and put a little in the tank and see if it helps any. I just don't have the time or facilities to do much else till spring break.

Ill update here whenever something new happens.

Texan Dude wrote:

Heres what the plug looked like last july:

What a few have found is that the ceramic on the plug has cracked......so the "check your spark plug" suggestion is just that. Just inspect it for broken/cracked ceramic. Of course, you'll need to remove it to do that so checking the condition of the electrode isn't a bad thing to do either.   

Replaced the spark plug and shes good as new. it wasnt all that bad looking but the cathode? (middle part) looked worn or kinda eroded at the tip.

Thanks for the help guys
-Colt

Always nice when it turns out to be something simple.

Thanks for the follow up & outcome Colt......

It is often too easy for any of us to "overlook" some of the basic things that would almost seem too simple to consider. But obviously on a single cylinder Hi-Comp engine, the ignition system & spark plug are absolutely critical.

Anyway glad that you got it sorted with minimal fuss mate.

Cheers.