doobiedooo

I've recently got a MY98 impreza and have heard stories of a problem with 98 models where the Pistons "knock" which is only resolved with an engine replacment!
I've become a bit paranoid since this story cos my recent purchase is out of warranty!! Does anyone know what the symptoms are of the "knocking"??

Pete Croney

It is a knocking, metalic tapping sound typically heard when starting the car from cold. It is almost always from cylinder number 4 (the one nearest the passenger seat).

You can test for this by loosing the injector plug on cyl 4 but leave it in enough that it is connected. Start the cold engine and then plug the plug off. This takes the load off the piston and if it is a "slapper" the noise will disappear until you reconnect the injector.

It can be cured by fitting a modified piston and Subaru normally do this even if the car is out of warranty, as it is a well known manufacturing fault.

doobiedooo

ahh good!! Mine ain't doin that!!

scoobyslut

does your "slap" when gently accelerating? as it can also appear then.
But even so, get it back to dealer, let him have a listen, as even if out of warranty, might get goodwill gesture, I have done so in the past, worth a try

doobiedooo

Mine's a late 98 (apparently 99 spec). D'ya know when they dealt with the problem.

doobiedooo

.....also how loud is the "slapper".

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

The 99 specs have a different engine to the 98 models (phase 1 in a 98, Phase 2 in a 99) and this has (supposedly) corrected the problem (your car will have nice crystal lights/fogs etc if a MY99)

Tony