engine tick/tap/knocks... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 08:33 AM

My motor has recently started making this noise, only I dunno what it is or how bad of a problem it is.

what is this sound?!

As you can hear it's the worst when the car initially starts up, then it quiets down a bit, but still ticks. What does it sound like to you? Thanks.

MikeK · 2006-03-08, 09:04 AM

I haven't heard the noise (I can't get to that site from work for some reason), but the fact that it mostly happens when it is cold reminds me of this notice from subaru a few years ago:

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 09:21 AM

Dang, well my car is MY96, so I guess that doesn't really apply to me. But it does it all the time. The video is in Quicktime format, don't ask me why, I don't even use that program, so that may be why it won't work.

Dean · 2006-03-08, 09:34 AM

I can't listen at work, but my guess is lifters. Time to desludge the engine...

JC · 2006-03-08, 09:46 AM

I can't listen to it either, but since everyone else is throwing out wild ass guesses... piston slap.

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 09:47 AM

Desludge? Well I'm finishing up replacing a wheel bearing and replacing an axle tonight after work. I'll let you give a listen when I bring your HD back Dean. And I'll try to make that video a different format when I get home.

sperry · 2006-03-08, 09:52 AM

I can hear it... that shit is *loud*. Doesn't sound like valve-train noise... more like "bad-things" noise.

I wouldn't drive it if you can help it until you get someone that knows more than we do about motors to look at it.

A1337STI · 2006-03-08, 10:38 AM

I had a 1996 Impreza brighton with a 1.8L (kept outdoors in tahoe) (had up to 90K miles on it ) never heard noises like that . (mine did develop some issue with the valve cover but a different noise, and only while the engine was under load)
Sorry to hear about your engine noises

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 10:38 AM

LOL, that shit is loud. Yeah for sure it is.

sybir · 2006-03-08, 10:46 AM

That sounds like terminal rod knock, man. Mine never got that bad, but I definiteley recognize the sound. For what it's worth, I swapped out my motor so I didn't have it seize on me when i wasn't expecting it

Have you let it run low on oil recently? How long has it been making that sound?

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 11:03 AM

It's been making that sound for about a month or so.

sperry · 2006-03-08, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnydaJibba

It's been making that sound for about a month or so.

JC · 2006-03-08, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Mine have been knocking since I graduated from Michigan.

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 11:54 AM

JC your car still drives right? I don't remember it making a sound when we went up Old Clear Creek that one time.

MPREZIV · 2006-03-08, 12:11 PM

DUDE! That sounds like a rod knocking, or a piston slapping. Never have I heard valve train chatter that loud! Either way, NOT GOOD!

Use a stick or long screwdriver against the motor, and the other end at your ear, (cheap stethoscope) and try to see if it's more in the top of the motor, (by the valve covers) or the bottom end (more centered, like by the oil pan). If it's the valve cover area, I'd say piston slap, if it's in the bottom end, rod knock.

JC · 2006-03-08, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnydaJibba

JC your car still drives right? I don't remember it making a sound when we went up Old Clear Creek that one time.

It was, it's just that my exhaust and intake are loud. You could hear it at cruise. It wasn't real bad though. Ya it drives fine, just down on powah.

Evo Mike · 2006-03-08, 12:23 PM

dont worry about a tapping.. that's normal haha ryan's wrx has it all the time.. and with the new clutch, and all that chattering, the motor feels like it's going to jump out of the engine bay when the light turns green!

sperry · 2006-03-08, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evo Mike

dont worry about a tapping.. that's normal haha ryan's wrx has it all the time.. and with the new clutch, and all that chattering, the motor feels like it's going to jump out of the engine bay when the light turns green!

Listen to the sound in the movie... that's *not* normal.

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-08, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

DUDE! That sounds like a rod knocking, or a piston slapping. Never have I heard valve train chatter that loud! Either way, NOT GOOD!

Use a stick or long screwdriver against the motor, and the other end at your ear, (cheap stethoscope) and try to see if it's more in the top of the motor, (by the valve covers) or the bottom end (more centered, like by the oil pan). If it's the valve cover area, I'd say piston slap, if it's in the bottom end, rod knock.

How bout I just use a real stethoscope?

I shouldn't be laughing this sucks!

MPREZIV · 2006-03-08, 12:35 PM

most people don't have a real stethoscope just lying around...

I use the screwdriver trick all the time!

Ezdno · 2006-03-08, 02:55 PM

No need for a steth/screwdriver, start looking for an engine. When was the last time you checked the oil?

sp00ln · 2006-03-09, 01:10 AM

Sp00lns guess.........

duhn duhn da-naaaaaa....

Exhaust leak. I think there is a broken gasket somewhere and as it warms up, the metals expand and it somewhat seals. Does it get faster the higher the RPMs are?

I dont think its your lifters... DSM lifters tick all the time and its not that loud... but mine came from the factory

JonnydaJibba · 2006-03-09, 10:49 AM

Yeah it gets faster, and it's coming from the top of the motor, so I think it's a fatal rod knock =(

sperry · 2006-03-09, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnydaJibba

Yeah it gets faster, and it's coming from the top of the motor, so I think it's a fatal rod knock =(

Rod knock comes from the "bottom" of the motor, which on a Subaru is more like "the middle". Piston slap would come from "top" of the motor, which is on either side nearer the heads.

MPREZIV · 2006-03-09, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Use a stick or long screwdriver against the motor, and the other end at your ear, (cheap stethoscope) and try to see if it's more in the top of the motor, (by the valve covers) or the bottom end (more centered, like by the oil pan). If it's the valve cover area, I'd say piston slap, if it's in the bottom end, rod knock.

Funny... I think I just said this...

2006-03-08, 08:33 AM	#1
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	engine tick/tap/knocks... My motor has recently started making this noise, only I dunno what it is or how bad of a problem it is. what is this sound?! As you can hear it's the worst when the car initially starts up, then it quiets down a bit, but still ticks. What does it sound like to you? Thanks. __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

2006-03-08, 09:21 AM	#3
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	Dang, well my car is MY96, so I guess that doesn't really apply to me. But it does it all the time. The video is in Quicktime format, don't ask me why, I don't even use that program, so that may be why it won't work. __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

2006-03-08, 09:34 AM	#4
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I can't listen at work, but my guess is lifters. Time to desludge the engine... __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2006-03-08, 09:46 AM	#5
JC Ask me about dubs! Real Name: JC Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 2,895 Car: 2013 Triumph Speed Triple R	I can't listen to it either, but since everyone else is throwing out wild ass guesses... piston slap. __________________ Actually, I am a rocket scientist.

2006-03-08, 09:47 AM	#6
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	Desludge? Well I'm finishing up replacing a wheel bearing and replacing an axle tonight after work. I'll let you give a listen when I bring your HD back Dean. And I'll try to make that video a different format when I get home. __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

2006-03-08, 09:52 AM	#7
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	I can hear it... that shit is loud. Doesn't sound like valve-train noise... more like "bad-things" noise. I wouldn't drive it if you can help it until you get someone that knows more than we do about motors to look at it. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2006-03-08, 10:38 AM	#8
A1337STI EJ205 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,840 Car: Impreza and an Impreza Class: AS / CRS PerfStock "pedal on the right"	I had a 1996 Impreza brighton with a 1.8L (kept outdoors in tahoe) (had up to 90K miles on it ) never heard noises like that . (mine did develop some issue with the valve cover but a different noise, and only while the engine was under load) Sorry to hear about your engine noises Last edited by A1337STI; 2006-03-08 at 10:47 AM.

2006-03-08, 10:46 AM	#10
sybir The Don Real Name: Aaron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,097 Car: '97 Legacy / '05 FXT Class: low	That sounds like terminal rod knock, man. Mine never got that bad, but I definiteley recognize the sound. For what it's worth, I swapped out my motor so I didn't have it seize on me when i wasn't expecting it Have you let it run low on oil recently? How long has it been making that sound? __________________ Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

2006-03-08, 11:03 AM	#11
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	It's been making that sound for about a month or so. __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

2006-03-08, 11:54 AM	#14
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	JC your car still drives right? I don't remember it making a sound when we went up Old Clear Creek that one time. __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

2006-03-08, 12:11 PM	#15
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	DUDE! That sounds like a rod knocking, or a piston slapping. Never have I heard valve train chatter that loud! Either way, NOT GOOD! Use a stick or long screwdriver against the motor, and the other end at your ear, (cheap stethoscope) and try to see if it's more in the top of the motor, (by the valve covers) or the bottom end (more centered, like by the oil pan). If it's the valve cover area, I'd say piston slap, if it's in the bottom end, rod knock. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2006-03-08, 12:23 PM	#17
Evo Mike EJ251 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 513	dont worry about a tapping.. that's normal haha ryan's wrx has it all the time.. and with the new clutch, and all that chattering, the motor feels like it's going to jump out of the engine bay when the light turns green! __________________ I Can't Believe My Friends.... Drive WRX's....

2006-03-08, 12:35 PM	#20
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	most people don't have a real stethoscope just lying around... I use the screwdriver trick all the time! __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2006-03-08, 02:55 PM	#21
Ezdno EJ251 Real Name: Dean W. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: So close to hell you can see Sparks! Posts: 541 Car: 1992 F250 1T Monster Class: none They were all dead when I got here!	No need for a steth/screwdriver, start looking for an engine. When was the last time you checked the oil? __________________ Don't interupt me while I am ignoring you!

2006-03-09, 01:10 AM	#22
sp00ln EJ205 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,196	Sp00lns guess......... duhn duhn da-naaaaaa.... Exhaust leak. I think there is a broken gasket somewhere and as it warms up, the metals expand and it somewhat seals. Does it get faster the higher the RPMs are? I dont think its your lifters... DSM lifters tick all the time and its not that loud... but mine came from the factory __________________ Turbo is a decent with modification.

2006-03-09, 10:49 AM	#23
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	Yeah it gets faster, and it's coming from the top of the motor, so I think it's a fatal rod knock =( __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Free Track Day?	cody	Motorsports Chat	94	2006-10-25 08:31 AM
R&T - Best All-Around Sports Car Comparo - MUST READ	ArthurS	Off Topic Chat	9	2005-04-06 08:31 PM
New Engine	Bob Danger	Off Topic Chat	3	2005-01-26 09:04 AM
$10,000 Engine Budget what to do?	tysonK	Technical Chat	29	2004-09-15 09:46 AM
WaterCar - Powered by STi Engine	ArthurS	Off Topic Chat	9	2003-10-18 06:39 PM