90k service replaces the timing belt

was that done?

 

Sounds like valve tap.

 

What weight oil do you have in the motor?

 

90k service replaces the timing belt

was that done?

Haven't done this yet, but isn't the timing belt at 105k?



5W-30, and the oil was checked a few days ago and it was full

 

i had that noise a while back and i was about 1/2 quart low

 

Sounds normal for my car... It's been doing it for ever, It's annoying for sure but I just ignore it and car now has over 167,500 miles and still going strong.

 

Do you have bomb in a front fender? Seriously.

 

5w-30 is too light for a motor with nearly 90k miles. Fact of the matter is, with 90k miles the motor is looser than it was stock, so now it's noisy. Nothing is broken, persay, but all the little ticks and groans and creeks and bumps are going to sound louder because you're basically using water for motor oil. Temperature permitting, try stepping up to a 10w-40 or a 15w-50 (in the summer). I personally run 10w-40 in my STi with 75k miles on it but will probably go thicker for the warm weather. I let my car warm up about 3-4 minutes every time I start it cold (in the morning, after sitting more than 6 hours, etc). Just a little extra something in there to help quiet everything down and give some extra cushion on critical engine parts.

 

Do you really think 10w-40 would be feasible for sub zero temperatures though? Winters in NH can get pretty brutal, I've always been told that 5w-30 is best for our winters and anything heavier would be risking cold start damage. The problem was there in the summer/fall too, but I was using 5w-30 then as well. I'll try 10w-40 and see if it helps at all, but do you think I should wait until spring time? Temp is still getting down into the teens and 20s every night....

Thanks for the responses, it's nice to finally get some useful suggestions. I've asked numerous people/forums about this, and half the time I get "lol tighten heatshieldz noob" and the other half people just have no ideas.

 

You do still want to use a 5w for sub zero temps. Once the temps start to warm to 20's or better in the morning, you will be fine with a 10w oil.

 

Hate to be a downer or an alarmist but I think you spun a bearing... actually I all but guarantee it. For about 2-3 months when I would first start the car it almost sounded like crickets in the engine bay. Once the car warmed up...it would go away.

Then about a month ago I started getting a ticking noise at low RPM and - 25% throttle. Most specifically the noise came from somewhere on the drivers side, just under/in front of the intake manny.

The tick eventually turned into a clank. It got louder and louder and oscillates at the same rev as the engine, but mostly at extremely light throttle in lower gears. At this point it was just extremely embarrassing to drive it was so loud and crazy sounding. Like a golf ball in a coffee can.

Then, on my way to work last Monday, the rod shattered and the engine seized while I was going 30 mph down the road. :whoa:

drum roll......the new engine will be here Thursday .

I seriously hope I'm wrong but it sounds to a tee my exact situation...I too have 90k on the car.

 

It's not a spun bearing. A spun bearing is way more than just "oh hey what's that noise?" A spun bearing is, "help my motor won't start, won't idle well, drives like garbage, AND has a ticking sound."

And no, you shouldn't use a 5w oil in sub zero temps. I didn't realize you were in NH...I'm in FL so it's not a big deal. Wait till it gets no colder than 20 degrees before you go heavier weight.

~Tim

 

It's not a spun bearing. A spun bearing is way more than just "oh hey what's that noise?" A spun bearing is, "help my motor won't start, won't idle well, drives like garbage, AND has a ticking sound."

~Tim

That's after it has damaged the internals, it's progressive damge...you can drive with a spun bearing for 15k miles if you don't ever stress it too much. You said yourself: "with 90k miles the motor is looser than it was stock" . That's how bearings get spun, too much movement inside the block.

Again, I hope it isn't, but the EXACT same scenario he describes just happened to me less than 10 days ago.

Low oil is not going to make that noise that oscillates at the same speed as the engine...but whatever.

Just dump heavier weight oil in there so you can't hear it and everything will be ok Pretty sure used car salesman use the same tactics so good luck with that. I suggest you pay the $88 and take it to a dealership for diagnostics so you don't do anymore, irreparable damage "thinking" it's one thing when it's actually another.

So your in FL Tim? Have you been to any of the AWD meets we've had lately? www.floridasubarus.com you should stop by!

 

OK - this is a big departure from what the other, more experienced guys have mentionen, but here's my $.02


Turbo Wastegate.

The RPM range is right where the Turbo starts spooling on the 2.0L (I think)
WOT makes it go away
No Throttle makes it go away.
Sound disappears at higher and lower revs (when Wastegate is not in flux)


sounds very similar to what I here on my slightly used '07 (though at a different rev-points)


One other thought - when I first got my car, it sounded really loud, and I was very frustrated - until one day I was checking my tranny fluid and noticed there was a rubber buching on one of the wires as it goes through the firewall that was missing. I found that it had come out of the hole, and slid up the wire a few inches.

I slid it back down, popped it in the hole, and the volume of the sound decreased by 85%. Barely noticeable now, I am sure I am the only one who's in my car that ever hears it.




The only thing wrong with my thoery is that 4th and 5th are unaffected for you... hmm... I dunno, I guess just one more thing to think about.

 

check the standard boost controller it's next too the air box
it makes a ticking sound at around 2k rpm , not sure how to stop it.

 

Welcome to the club? Interesting choice of first posts....

 

My 2003 wrx has that same problem, it only occurs at cruising speeds and stops as soon as I either give it more throttle or let off the throttle. It has over 200k and has been doing it for at least the last 20k. Changed TB, but still does it. It also doesn't pull much anymore in 2nd although it shows full boost on the gauge. Shes a bit tired but still running. I fixed it by buying a newer one and gave the 03 to my girlfriend to drive.