L7NCH

Good evening all,
I'm a newbie to Subaru's.
I've recently bought my first Subaru, it's an 1997 turbo 2000.
I'd like some advice please, I have noticed a rattly (possibly a dreaded knocking!?) Noise coming from the engine.
Please see the following links:
https://imgur.com/gallery/5Ngf0gk
https://imgur.com/gallery/XMYTFR9
https://imgur.com/gallery/xUb4ToM
The car has done 117000miles with very good service history and seems to have been cared for.
The car pulls well and is very smooth throughout the revs and all gears.
Car is completely standard.
Please bare in mind, the car is due a full service and cam belt change. Before I carry out this work, I would like any advice on the engine noises... Most importantly the background noise the seems to come from the passenger side lower down.
The first link is from a cold startup (approx' 5°c). Other 2 are upto temperature.
The noise is consistent throughout the revs and is less noticeable when warmed up.
I hope it isn't the bottom end, but I hear they are a lot louder n rev' specific.
Any help or advice will be much appreciated.
Again a big Hello!!
Kind regards,
Cal

adam.pah

There are people on here with far more expertise than me who will probably have better advice. I would be looking to get a compression test though.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Can't see the links on my phone but will have a look on laptop later. Heat sheilds can make some funny noises.

Also I had the gasket go on my exhaust manifold once and make is sound rough, has the manifold been changed at all?

Both those things can make some odd sounding noises.

L7NCH

Cheers guys 👍
The last MOT did state 'minor exhaust leak' as an advisory.
As for as I know the exhaust is completely standard (and probably original) with the exception of a STI backbox.
Any other advice with be much appreciated.
Regards,
Cal

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

Check the timing belt tensioner but I don't like when you rev it the knock sounds like the bottom end even though it usually first manifests itself on the over run.
Pull the filter off and cut it open with a tin opener etc not a grinder and see if there's any white metal.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Links sorted for you Cal.SJ.
Good evening all,
I'm a newbie to Subaru's.
I've recently bought my first Subaru, it's an 1997 turbo 2000.
I'd like some advice please, I have noticed a rattly (possibly a dreaded knocking!?) Noise coming from the engine.
Please see the following links:
https://imgur.com/gallery/5Ngf0gk
https://imgur.com/gallery/XMYTFR9
https://imgur.com/gallery/xUb4ToM
The car has done 117000miles with very good service history and seems to have been cared for.
The car pulls well and is very smooth throughout the revs and all gears.
Car is completely standard.
Please bare in mind, the car is due a full service and cam belt change. Before I carry out this work, I would like any advice on the engine noises... Most importantly the background noise the seems to come from the passenger side lower down.
The first link is from a cold startup (approx' 5°c). Other 2 are upto temperature.
The noise is consistent throughout the revs and is less noticeable when warmed up.
I hope it isn't the bottom end, but I hear they are a lot louder n rev' specific.
Any help or advice will be much appreciated.
Again a big Hello!!
Kind regards,
Cal

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Right had a listen and not quite sure what it is. Best to check heat shields first. Doesn't sound like Exhaust manifold gasket, as thats abit deeper and sounds abit engine knocking. Freaked me out lol.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Hard to hear with the wind noise but that sounds like the beginning of bottom end failure to me.

L7NCH

Cheers Stonejedi 👍 much appreciated.

Thanks for all the inputs, although I'm not liking where this is going! So can this be rectified/minimised without an engine rebuild? I'm confused as it drives perfectly fine.
Any point giving it a full service? I'm looking at about £300 in parts, will it just be polishing a turd?

More inputs are very much appreciated. Are there any more vids I can take to help diagnosis?

The car is currently SORN so can't take any driving vids.

Regards,
Cal
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jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

It doesn't sound great.

L7NCH

Thanks Stonejedi 👍 much appreciated.
Ok, so I'm a bit confused. The car runs perfectly fine, is there anything I can do to rectify the problem? (Without rebuild).
I listened to vids before buying the car regarding bottom end knock / failure. They all sound loads louder than mine n very much rev specific.
I'm not sure what oil is in at the moment, could the oil be too thin?
Is there any use carrying out a full service? Or will I be wasting my money? Gunna be around £300 in parts (timing belt + water pump included).
Any more help or advice with be much appreciated.
Any other vids, that will help with diagnosis?
Car is currently SORN so can't take driving vids.
Thanks, Cal

Note: Just to add, there is a very slight shudder at idle that's felt in the car (no knocking, just a little nvh) I just put this down to 23year old car not being as smooth as a modern car.

John 37

Get one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274204665133
prod around the engine obviously being careful to avoid moving parts. Be prepared to be frightened, they magnify absolutely every sound.
Don't forget the alternator etc.

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

As above check timing belt tensioner.

L7NCH

Thank you all for all the inputs, I really appreciate to advice.
I will be carrying out a service next weekend hopefully.
I just need a timing belt kit + water pump. Any recommendations where to buy? I've looked at ICP but are currently oos.
Just to add to this thread, I had to use bog standard BP fuel (95) on my way home after picking the car up (service station) n I have since seen that any BP fuel is a no go in Imprezas.
I usually fill up with Tesco momentum 99. I'm really hoping a mixture of crap fuel, needing a service, timing belt n exhaust leak is all contributing to the rough engine noise.
Regards,
Cal
​​​​

L7NCH

Thanks everyone for your inputs, much appreciated.
I will hopefully be servicing the car next weekend. The only part I now require is a timing belt kit + water pump. Any recommendations of what to buy n where? I've looked at ICP but they are currently out of stock.
Just to add another spanner in the works.. when driving the car home after buying it, I had to put some standard BP fuel in (service station). Since then I have found numerous posts that state not to use BP fuel in Imprezas.
So, I'm really hoping a combination of poor fuel, needing a service, timing belt n exhaust leak are all linked to the rough engine noises.
Thanks again all,
Callum
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