first i would like to say hello to everybody,can enybody help me,i have a 54 plate wrx with ppp fitted. i purchaced care in october 06, it has just coverd 18000 miles but just noticed tapping noise from engine when engine is just starting to get warm, once engine is warm noise does go but not completly.ive been told that these engines do sound a bit rattly but is mine normal or should i get it looked at, can anybody help me as this is my first scooby and i know nothing about them technicaly, but ido know they go like s**t off a shovel. many thanks.

 

I have heard and read that these engines do sound tappety, I have an 01 WRX in mint condition and my engine sounds tappety too so i really wouldn't worry! Just enjoy leaving the Porche boxter drivers to look at the rear of your car

 

THANK YOU , that puts my mind at rest, and yes i will carry on trashing those boxsters.

 

An oil change may be the order of the day. BARNETSCOOBY is correct but a change of oil may reduce the noise, sometimes quite considerably. It all depends on what oil is currently used, do you know what it is or have you had it changed since you bought the car. A lot of people on here have posted threads on this very subject, if you do a search you'll find loads. Personally I use a 10W40 in my 93WRX, try and stay away from additives that are meant to reduce lifter noise, they can clog up small oil-ways and ultimately **** your engine for good.

Dan.

 

hi dan, i havn't changed oil myself yet as i brought car from subaru dealership in october 06 and they carried out service as part of deal, however i will change it and see what happens, im just concerned as this time last year i brought a (dare i say it) golf r32 which was in vw workshop for three months because of engine trouble,in the end they brought car back off me (thank god) worst 20 grand i ever spent, so i dont want to be in that position again with the scooby as apart from the tapping noise the car is out of this world. many thanks scott

 

It's not unusual for an engine to sound a bit tappety during the warm-up period as the expansion rates of various componants differ and some clearances may actually increase slightly until proper working temp. is reached. Strangely, two engines off the same prod. line can sound different! When he had it, my sons STi was always mechanically quieter than mine at similar mileage.
Just an increase in valve clearance of a mere 0.02mm will be noticable.
JohnD

PS Don't be tempted to use a "thick" oil as a means of reducing noise.

 

Let us know which oil you choose and if it made any difference.

A lot of people reakon the dealership OE oil isn't up to much, but an OE oil filter is a deffo.

 

Let us know which oil you choose and if it made any difference.

A lot of people reakon the dealership OE oil isn't up to much, but an OE oil filter is a deffo.

 

My 03 WRX PPP is exactly the same.....since the cold weather has set in, it's a bit tappety on start up and until it's warmed up, then it sounds and goes fine!

I'm going to be changing the oil shortly to a 5-40 as the last service (3000 miles ago) had 10-60 put in which takes too long to get up to operating temperature in my opinion.

Dave

 

well thank you all for your imput, i will let you all no how i procress with this noise, once again many thanks scott

 

Hi guys, piston slap could be a possibility!. Not very common on the blob eyes, but still a possibility. Cheers guys