I have just been towed home by the AA after a nice long weekend in Ireland. Over the last few weeks the car (MY98 Turbo) has had the faint rattling nose when you accelerate. It didn't do it all the time just sometimes and at various rev ranges. I just thought it was a heat shield or something.

Tonight it seemed to get noticeably louder so I stopped the car. The car seems to run okay with no smoke or power loss. If you rev to 1.5, 2 K it makes a loud knocking but when you let your foot of the accelerator and rev again it seems okay sometimes. It seems to do it at different rev ranges as well. I checked the oil and it seemed low but was still between the holes. Any ideas what it is? It does seem internal and not a loose belt.


Mods can you leave it in here for a while as I would like a quick answer.


Cheers

Jer

 

If you've checked all the heatshields (check the up-pipe one) then from what you've described it sounds like big end problems....MY98 was plagued with piston slap problems but that's only as the engine warms up.

 

It's deffo not heatshields it's far too loud. It sounds as though it's comming from the top of the engine but im not sure. It had a new short block at about 35k it's now done 105K.

 

my money is on the big ends they often sound like the noise is coming from the top of the engine

 

Think I had the same symptom on my old MY97. Was worst in 4th gear at 30 - 40 ish uphill (try driving somewhere with a tall wall either side of the road with the windows open to hear properly). Sound was like someone shaking maracas or a tin of ball bearings and I panicked. Traded in that weekend for a MY99 at local Subaru dealer - not saying which! - but it sorted the problem...

I hope it is cheap to fix for you, as I spent the money meant for the new bathroom on the swap, and have endless grief ever since (though not from the car)!

 

How much am I looking at if it is the big end?

 

A subaru dealer probably between 2600 - 3000 for a short engine probaly a lot less if not from a Main dealer or second hand ?

 

Thinking about this a bit more sympathetically (apols for previous post) it COULD be something cheap, like a loose engine mount or worn rubber bush. From my experience big end knocks don't go away as you suggest, and you grind to a halt within 100 miles.

How long have you had the problem?

 

Get in touch with API - do a search for APIdavid, surprised he hasn't popped up yet. Lot of good things been said about their service and prices.

 

It's been making the noise for about 500 miles although not as loud as tonight. I had the bonet open and revd it while standing over the engine. It sounds like piston slap but 10 times louder and it's doing it while warm.

 

If I where you I would stop driving immediately and get it looked at by someone who knows about this sort of thing,preferably at your house so you dont drive it.

API david is probably the best man to speak to about this and his prices are very reasonagle.Not saying hes cheap,but you get what you pay for and with API you will get peace of mind.

 

Pop !! Here I are !!

Give me a call if I can help you, sensible dialogue, no obligation.

BUT Stop using it. If it throws a rod it'll cost more.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza