Just picked up my96 WRX from Subaru service. The report said "Noisy Engine". So I obviously enquired what this meant. The Subaru technician started the engine and revved the throttle and pointed out that the noise was rattley at the high revs.

Well I did sort of hear something but I couldnt describe it. I asked what he thought was happening- He said that he thinks that the big end or little end are about to give. He went on to explain that he had heard engines like this before they gave out. He went on to offer to change the oil from the 5w40 to 10w40 saying that this will probably help!!

Obviously very worried now !! anyone ever hear a boxer engine before it gives up?? Can any of my Northern mates offer any help i.e listen to my engine.

The car is on 61000 miles - no engine mods at all - run on optimax

What really worried me was the fact that this subaru guy is known as a bit of a bullsh***er by some of the other subaru technicians. I think SG PETCH can go f**k themselves after this episode! Sorry feeling really wound up because of the fact -

1) Subaru never phoned up to suggest a different oil be used for the service after they heard its "noisy engine" Only after service and at extra cost. (I have recently removed all the insulation off the bonnet)

2) When I asked the guy which oil he would change it to the answer was "ummm 10 50 or something ummm let me check ... no 10 40..ummm it uses 5w40 ussally"

3) When I asked what to listen for while he revved the engine he described it as a big end sound - I did hear a reverb a brrrrrng type noise but thought it was the heat shield, they have cracked about 5 times now and been repaired.

4) When I asked what the sound was he said it was either the big end or little end or the con rod or something, not exactly a diagnosis.

Of course if my big end does go -- he was dead right and ive been a ****!! Just have this horrible feeling that I am being unneccesarily worried over nothing.

Just need some information on what i should be listening out for? Does anyone know of an engine specialist who can help me?

sounds like he was trying to get some cash out of you to me.

there is no mistaking a bottom end knock mate,its like a thudding noise.

nothing like a vibrating heat shield ;)

Had a listen again this morning - sounds more heat shield type reverb. Im going to Simpsons this afternoon and let someone else have a listen.

I had someone suggest that you are more likely to hear propblems when the engine is at idle, rather than being revved. i.e. when the engine is "looser" and not being torqued.

If its your big ends, you wouldnt be driving it, or revving it all the time to let people hear it, the engine would be knackered by now. It would also get a lot worse when revved. Just exactly how loud is it???
It sounds like something else.

Mark,
I can pop round to try to help if you want. I've also had problems with heat shields rattling on my 94WRX, it's a case of finding the revs that matches their natural frequecy and getting someone to push each heat shield in turn with a large screw-driver to find the culprit ! Also suspect the oil you've been using was too thin , should be using something like a 15W/50 such as Mobil 1 motorsport.

Regards,
John

Hi John,
Im taking you up on your offer. theres a pint in it for you :).
Just sent you an e-mail with my phone number.

Stevie - I dont think the big ends are going, but why do Subaru?

plain and simple MONEY GRABBERS.

using mobil 1 motorsport (best stuff IMHO)

Are subaru asking you to pay to repair the noise?? If so, then its about the most expensive thing your gonna have to fix. It also seems to happen way too often.

Yes very disapointed with Subaru,

I gave them a ring today and they said when I come back next week they will explain exactly what they mean... should be interesting.

Still very annoyed car has been serviced there for the last 3 years, and I must say they are really quite good. In fact yesterday she was running particularly sweet - all nice and tight right after the service.

But when a Subaru technician informs you he thinks your engine is out of shape and to take it easy because he thinks its going to chuck a rod etc.. You get well worried... especially with the history of engine failures of the EJ-20.

Just to conclude this post and to publicly slate SUBARU SG PETCH Richmond

Returned to Subaru this Saturday, after a phone conversation a fortnight ago. In the phone conversation I wished for an explanation of why my engine was being diagnosed as a potential big end failure. The manager was a bit taken a back but went on to say that the technician was "covering his back in the event that my engine failed"
I went on to explain that I was extremely worried about my engine and asked for a formal diagnosis.
I was told this would happen when I returned--

What actually happened

me "hello I have the subaru that was serviced by you, the one you said that makes a big end sound"

him "uhhh oh lets have a listen... brmmmm brmmmm nah sounds alright to me mate.. probably a heat shield"

Needless to say not very happy and will never go back again.
Extremelely annoyed that I was in a state of panick after being told my engine is going to die, then told the total opposite.

Subaru Richmond North Yorks your a bunch of money grabbing fcukwits

told you there was bugger all wrong with it mate,now you can sleep easier tonight:D :D ;)

Wouldn't do that if you like having paint on the shiny side of the bonnet :(

carl,
explain yourself!!

AIUI removing the insulating material from the underside of the bonnet makes the paint on the top of the bonnet above the 'hot spots' go all horrible/flat/discoloured/peely.

heat from engine + no insulation = hot bonnet = blistering and peeling paint (maybe)

The insulation isnt only there to deaden the sound, but to "insulate" the bodywork from the heat of the engine! How long do you think paint would last on your exhaust manifold? Put an egg in a tray on top of your engine and drive to the shops :p

Mark, mate we tried to tell you last week!

;) Sounded sweet as a nut to us, try not to worry!

Jamie

Look at this -
I have upset Steve Petchs mate

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=117972

Some times its not a good idea to complain about poor service....apparantly ;)

Mark, I think you have handled it calmly, if it was me I'm sure I would have gone back and chinned him :D ;)

Can I suggest you perhaps give Townend Garage a call next time you need a service. There up your neck of the woods (well not too far away) and they make an excellent job out of it. Like Steve Petch, they are also involved in rallying. But, unlike SGP - the owner is still in the workshop making sure everything is done to perfection, and they every customer leaves feeling like they've been well looked after.

I'm not on commission for them - I'm just really impressed with them, so I thought I'd let you know.

Just a quick question are they a Subaru UK/IM dealer if so why are they servicing grey imports ?

yes they are an official Subaru Uk franchaise. I think you would be surprised but quite a few dealers will service an import.