Got a ticking noise from engine on nearside increases with higher rpm .
Cant hear the noise from inside but outside you can notice it . sorry for lack of info can anyone point me in right direction in any common faults. car is 2004 wrx

 

Could be the cover around your up pipe?

 

purhaps its a bomb..

Sounded like mine had.. is it louder first time you start it up.?

 

it on the other side of engine from up pipe .

 

perhaps no quiet, then when warm its noisy doesn't sound like bottom end though.

 

is it more noticeable on first start

 

quiet when cold noise apparent when warm

 

well,

Mine had a strange ticking noise, which later turned into a knocking noise, but ill say no more..

I very much doubt yours is the same though

 

just took her for a wee run sounds like a tappet . Are they adjustable on a 2004 wrx?

 

Had car up on ramp today at friends garage noise defo coming from nearside cylinder head . Can anyone tell me if tappets are adjustable?

 

Tappets (cam followers) are not adjustable as such,they would need re shimming. Highly unlikely to be that to be honest. Take the cam cover off and check the clearances to eliminate it, won't take long. If ok drain the oil through a clean cloth and check for copper particals, could be big ends?

 

drained oil through clean cloth no particles of metal in oil argh this is so annoying . Think a trip to local subaru dealer is required

 

Keep us posted if you find out , i have had a simular noise for two years not got anyworse or better though

 

After much head scratching by various mechanics(some subaru technicians) i am going to see a chap on monday by the name of Bill Greer who is ment to be a dab hand with scoobs. Will keep you posted AshBurton wrx

 

Things to check would be:
Cambelt tensioner ( tends to be more of a knock than ticking).
Slight exhaust gas leak from the headers.
Spark plug loose ( distinctive ticking noise ).
Valve Clearances too big.
As WMS said in the reply above - the valve clearances are adjusted by changing the Selective sized Buckets ( no more outer/inner shim type on the later models ) which involves removing the camshafts.

Mick

 

Loose spark plug! not looked at that cheers mate is that common on impreza ?. Have had timing belt and tensioner changed two months ago and have checked the exhaust .Thanks for your input

 

Good news my scoob is sorted and at no cost, traced the fault to a loose spark plug in the nearside front cylinder, happy days after a few days of sweating. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face. So clean bill of health

Big thanks to all scoobynetters that gave me some pointers ,Cheers

 

Bang on !!
Glad you got it sorted

 

cheers again mate . Thought she was a goner , moving house at end of month and money is tight so if was bottom end she would have been off the road for a considerable bit of time . Celebrated with a wee oil and filter change and a blast. Cheers merlin24

 

Good result . I will have to check mine now (fingers crossed)

 

I've just noticed a similar noise on my 04 wrx. I'll check my plugs and hopefully that will sort it. Cheers