T1000

After taking the car out yesterday and putting my foot down a few times but otherwise gentle driving it now makes a strange noise.

The noise is a metallic sounding tapping/rattling coming from this part of the engine bay:



Am I right in thinking that the turbo is in this part of the picture? Not sure what parts of the engine are shown in this photo but the sound is definitely coming from here. The noise is always there now too.

Does anyone know what the problem is likely to be? I also have a problem when my check engine light comes on when accelerating - am wondering if this is due to the same problem

IRC450STI

Hi mate are you losing power or does it drive ok with good boost

T1000

It still has boost but doesn't seem like I have as much power for some reason

IRC450STI

Is the tapping loud and have you done any high speeds lately

T1000

yes and yes - I work next to a private airfield so I went very fast on friday after work. cheers for your help

IRC450STI

Well it could be that your bottom end has gone which would mean a engine rebuild, worst case and if you keep driving it, it will cause more damage, so i would get someone to look at it soon just in case, scoobs do not like high speeds i should know ive been there mate like i said this is worst case, but if you have lost power thats all i can think of so get it looked at soon as, others on here may have other ideas mate good luck.
ps that is your turbo in photo

dan83590

It could be loads of different things. There is no way to diagnose on here with no sound. Just pop it to a garage, they'll be able to tell you within minutes.

doshwrx2007

try having a look at the front pulley ( the one that spins and powers the power steering and alternator ) as mine had a simillar noise and thought it was fooked but all it was is that the front pully had come loose and was tapping against the cam belt cover , cost quit a bit to fix but not as bad as a rebuild.

doshwrx2007

forgot to menioin when the car is ticking over the bottom pully shouldnt wobble if it does then you have the same problem as mine did.

IRC450STI

Would this problem cause you to loose power.

doshwrx2007

did on mine and eventually came off while driving and lost power steering and alternator charge. he needs to have look at it asap as i didnt spot mine till it was too late , it sounds like the engines crumbleling apart but all it was, was a pully .

T1000

Will definitely take to garage next week just to make sure. Hoping it doesn't need a rebuild - bank loan here I come!

here is a video of the noise if it helps?

thanks

MOV00001-1.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

IRC450STI

Good to know, hope its that and not the bottom end, hope its good news for you T1000

IRC450STI

Just had a listen and hope im wrong but sounds like bottom end knock to me but then again so many things sound similar like Tappets,injectors,valves etc if it is bottom end then it will start to get louder the more you run it, how close are you to a garage cos it maybe worth it to have it taken on back of truck rather than drive it, just to be save.

T1000

Am only 1 or 2 miles away from a Subaru main dealer in Aylesbury so will give em a call tomorrow :-S

If it is caused by driving it at high speed the other day, why is that? Is it because if there is already heavy wear on the block, the stress on the internals at that speed will make matters worse?

as355f1

sounds like my escort diesel van, have you checked the oil level ? sound like top end to me possible hydraulic lifter

T1000

Hi yep, oil level is fine. After looking at the car again with the engine running it looks like there is a manifold heat shield beneath the turbo which is very lose. This could even be the cause of my prob! - I hope. Just to make sure, will book it in at the garage anyway as I want to make sure the car is alright. cheers for all the help

IRC450STI

High speed driving in a scoob they dont like it if its for a long time especialy at rev limit cos engine gets to hot thats how you get bottom end damage, loose heat shields are a common fault with classics thats why alot of people remove them cos they do rattle but i dont think that is the noise youve got, defo sounds like a tapping or a knocking but hope im wrong mate good luck

T1000

cheers mate. There is definitely a tapping noise in the engine, but without ever hearing another Impreza engine before I'm not sure whether it's normal or not. After some fiddling around earlier with the heat shield, it was definitely the culprit for the metallic racket coming from the turbo area. After sticking a cable tie on it temporarily, it doesn't make the sound anymore. Took it out for a run earlier too and it drove faultlessly so I'm guessing it is ok. Will get Subaru to run diagnostics etc this week anyway as it's best to be safe than sorry.

The car has only got 50 ish thousand miles from new and has had full subaru service history so I think it's been well cared for. Will update this thread as soon as I get news, fingers crossed

m_reed1

I had ths same noise with my old wrx and it was the crank pulley mate, the bolt came loose, but dont driving until tightened mate.

Mark

T1000

ok cheers, how much was that to fix on yours m reed1?