60 views and not one reply, that's what you get for trying to be helpful ;)

Great work Charlie H,

Def put my mind a rest.


Mel.

I think the phrase is:


Nuff Said.


Thanks dude.

Nice one. Very helpful :)

Nice one Charlie.

I'm still in the same boat as you with these fricken tappets.

Have tried an option using a pint of ATF into the oil to see if it frees up the hydraulics. Has taken the edge off the noise but have to give it a chance (till next oil change 2500 miles time) to see if it completely works.

I'm no doubt gunna get my ass flamed (I can't afford a horse) for adding strange fluids to the oil but it came from a reputable source!

Spookily I now have an oil leak to get sorted but I don't think its related to the ATF (fingers crossed.) More likely an over tightened oil filter or seal problem.

If the ATF does work I'll let y'all know in good time.

Once again thanks for the info.

Ste.W.

Legacy heads are totally diffent in the cam follower design to Impreza heads.

I've stopped worrying, as the sound isn't too bad, for me.

Paul

goodwork

nuf said!!!!!

Still need another car of similar model and vintage to guage what is noisey. Mine seem to tick all the time but it could be the injectors. So what caused them to get worn then, my car has been treated with more respect than my girlfriend (she would argue).
I think these engine are relitively noisey anyway (in a tick tick kind of way)

I wouldn't worry too much, MY 02 Sti clicks from the engine and has done since new - I guess they are a bit ' tappety ' for want of a better word.

Ian

Now thats the post I wanted to see, that reasures.
:)

mine is quiet as a mouse!, honestly it's the quietest car i've owned tappet wise, doesn't even tick when it's first started!:D

James

My 02 WRX is noisy as hell. Mind you, I am in Ottawa and it was down as low as minus 26C one morning last week ;)

My MY01 clicks like it's dancing the flamenco!
About 120 clicks per minute (increases as revs rise)
Plan to mention it at next service. They are about once a month anyway!:rolleyes::D

Paul

Most if not all imprezas ive heard are very quiet. Legacys do have problems, but they are ususally only on higher milage cars, that havent had the oil changes to keep the system clean. Either way the legacy heads arent as good, and can be noisy.
As for the article...does it say they all do it??? Unless I read it wrong, it says if there is a noise, then something is wrong.

I just wonder if many of you are actually hearing the injectors, as they can be a little noisy when the bonnet is open. Tappets are much much louder.

no - it says "if the noise is still there when the engine is warm, then something is wrong"

My clicking also goes away when warm but have noticed during the colder weather recently (in UK) that the clicking is much louder.
Several days later with warmer air, the clicking is back to its normal level.

Nick

This can be because of crap around the valve stems. Apparently today's 'cleaner' fuels leave quite a bit of residue which can cause the tappets to be a little 'sticky' when cold. Try one of the good quality fuel treatments like slick 50 or Forte. I have in the past found a significant improvement. Remember - fuel treatment NOT oil.

my 96 is loud when cold and after a drive usually quite quiet but its on quite thin oil....

If you have problems, before considering changing the lash adjusters (which is pretty expensive), try using an oil flush prior to your oil change.

Using the above my high mileage legacy used to quieten right down for a few thousand miles before getting gradually worse nearer oil change time (ebvery 3000Miles). It helps to cleans out all the sludge from the oil channels for the hydraulic lash adjusters.

Tried using other additives and different oils prior to the above but didn't get much difference in noise (even tried the treacle like stp before having seconds thoughts and flushing it out).

Rich

58GT : is the slick 50 Fuel additive OK to use ?

I bought some, but after reading the threads about the slick 50 Oil additive i was reluctant to put it in :)

My scooby also clicks at start up, until its warm, thanks for the post, i was a little worried , now im not :p

Flushing agents can also dislodge deposits, and relocate them to other parts of the engine, such as small oilways in the lifters, making the situation much worse.

Mine does it for about 2 seconds when started from cold.
Cheers Charlie.
94 STI

How is that putting my mine at rest??! :(

I can hear mine from the back of the car when warm over my full decat on tickover!! but then what do you expect with 118,000miles on the clock! :)

Waiting for something big to break so I can replace the complete engine including the ticking tappets!

JGM :)

Found the following section in the workshop manual for early impreza's. Hope it will put some peoples minds at ease

"Hydraulic valve lash adjusters may make clicking noise once the engine starts. It is normal if clicking noise ceases after a few minutes.
If clicking noise continues after a few minutes, check engine oil level and add oil if necessary. Warm up engine for five minutes, then operate it at approx 3,000rpm for twenty minutes. If noise still exsists, conduct diagnostics procedures in accordance with the following table"

The table then states
"Type of sound = regular clicking sound"
"Condition = sound increases as engine speed increases"
"Possible cause = Valve mechanism is defective - *Broken lash adjuster, *worn valve rocker, *worn camshaft, *broken valve spring or *worn valve lifter hole"


So when they say "they all do that sir" they mean it :D

[Edited by Charlie H - 2/4/2003 9:42:49 AM]

Mine is loud enough to hear from inside when cold but quietens off when warmed up, therefore I am satisfied that the noise I am getting is normal. I have had the car for 2.5 years and only noticed this noise since I started using Mobil 1 15/50 so I plan to switch oils and see if it makes a difference, but I won't worry too much about it now :)

[Edited by Charlie H - 2/5/2003 9:30:15 AM]