My Car Sounds Like A Diesel When Cold

Kevin

Kevin

Administrator
Joined
Jul 28, 2008
Messages
7,148
Location
Sydney, Oz
Car Year
MY'03
Car Model
Forester
Transmission
A/T
Per the title, there is a rattling when cold that disappears when warm; it's been there for a while now. It's not the "normal" stuff like piston slap, timing tensioner, valves etc. A Subaru trained mechanic friend had a listen and suggested it may be a water pump (replaced just 40K klm ago). He said it doesn't sound like it's deep within the motor; so can a water pump get "clattery" - I'm wondering how about an oil pump - what noise can it make when it's on the way out? Any other suggestions?
 
my car sounds exactly the same in the cold. i thought it was just the tappers? i'm up for a major service soon so i'll see if it's the water pump. although i'll have to wait till it gets cold again
 
^ Yes, I originally thought something wrong with the tappets / cams / valves but listening with a screwdriver all seems OK in that area for both sides.
 
MY'03 - 2.5 na - engine has done 108K kilometres about 65K miles
 
^ new; well, timing belt replaced just weeks ago; idler 40k klms ago and checked when belt replaced
 
Kevin said:
^ new; well, timing belt replaced just weeks ago; idler 40k klms ago and checked when belt replaced
Click to expand...


And the tensioner? and why were they not all replaced at once?


You may want to remove the accessory drive belts and see what happens to the noise. Also a loose main drive pully can make noise.


nipper
 
^ long story! :iconwink: Let's just say I'm confident the front is good. "idler" = "tensioner"
 
Same with my 2.5 NA, It sounds like a diesel when cold. I've been meaning to ask if others have experienced this. Mine's an MY06 with 51,000km. It sounds normal after about 4km, because by the time I get to the mechanic (bout 4km away) the sound is gone. He originally thought it could be hydralic lifters getting stuck, but apparently they're mechanical lifters.

Regards,

Joel
 
^ yes, mechanical via overhead cam. You could have piston slap - which is normal.

My car now runs on 3 cylinders when warm! It's somewhat akin to riding a motorbike - sounds and feels like one :lol:

Plug #4 was wet with oil when I pulled it yesterday so looks like either a piston ring, oil ring, bad valve or stem seal.

PS - or possible head / head gasket issue. Thinking about this as it doesn't get grumpy until it's warmed up.
 
OK - so, no pulling of engines yet. These guys really know their stuff: www.alldrivesubaroo.com.au

Problem 1 = cyl 4 injector circuit not behaving so replacing some plugs
Problem 2 =
11804b691c12d3e49.jpg

Yep, mud clogging the same injector! I suspect bull dust from my outback trips - it is as fine as talcum powder so it's probably getting through the air filter. I'll have to find a better filter for the outback trips.
 
How would dirty air end up in a fuel injector? Check the fuel filter.
 
Not the fuel filter. Check and make sure the air filter box is truly sealing. It is not unusual for a tab to break off the air box and not properly seal. get rid of any aftermarket air cleaners and go back to stock. Change your oil too as that stuff will end up in there also.


nipper
 
^ I agree re air filter box; I even have a self-tapper in the little drain hole to seal it up. My fuel filter is swapped regularly.

I'll be puzzled though if it is just one injector - why not all? I'm also wondering if there is a possibility that the injector was not cleaned properly when the motor was rebuilt in 2003. I can't remember which cylinder hydralocked but I'm going to check back on the pics as I have a feeling it was the same cylinder, i.e. #4
 
Kevin said:
^ I agree re air filter box; I even have a self-tapper in the little drain hole to seal it up.
Click to expand...

I thought all the drain holes were on the unfiltered side of the airfilter, or have I missed one.
If you are using a snorkel, I guess you would want to make sure that water and dust could not get in the drain holes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top