wrx03ppp

Hi

At and above 120mph (under controlled conditions of course) I get a very loud and disconcerting noise which is not from the passengers. I'm sure it's wind related ;-) and is a sort of whistling come harmonica sound. Scared me to death first time I got it as I thought I was about to be passed by a low flying Larry Adler.

Any ideas what could cause it?

scoobyslut

Could be either the door mirrors or the front screen moulding for a guess, these are quite common for noises, but also depends on which "area" of the car it comes from as you dont say exactly.

wrx03ppp

Hi

It was a bit hard to tell exactly where it was coming from as I was concentrating rather on the road last time it happened. I think over from the passenger side though so I guess it could be the windscreen seal in that area, or even the door seal I suppose.

MadMark

Nope I'll bet - it's the window seals - mine does it on the drivers side - but only when I'm over 135mph - deafening by 150mph (allegedly) ....

Jza

Wing mirrors! Does it on me if theres a side wind.. i think the wind gets under the glass of the mirror and then creates a pan pipe effect.

Scared me to death too

Jza

Jolley

Mine does it at exactly 120mph as well (only on a private airfield!).

I just assumed it was the passenger side seal over the window.

Whichever it is, why does it always seem to be on the passenger side?

unrealboss

mine too ok up to about 135 usually differs on wind condition @ that time

MadMark

Hmm - put it this way if you open the window a crack - it goes away! It's the curl of the bonnet that gets me every time .....

fastfrank

I had a weird noise at 30mph, especially when I had my driver's windows down. It was a kinda loud whistling noise although it went when it started raining. Totally confused me :-#

Guess what it was...

There was a part number sticker on the back of the mirror hinge which was hanging off but only obvious when the mirror was folded in. When it rained the stick got soggy and didn't vibrate. When dry it oscillated so much as to create this frustrating noise.

Fix. RIPPED IT OFF.

Jobs a gooden...

Monkeh

Mine made this noise the other night at 125mph, on my private runway

shocked me as i wasnt expecting it, and to be so loud as well

Mr DJ

Mine to at about 120 sounds like some one on their hooter trying to pass me! very disconcerting.
driver side mine i think door seal or wing mirror maybe it`s going back monday to have the ppp checked only 242 bhp on rolling road, so will ask about this.

Regards

wrx03ppp

Can't quite believe the response to this, looks like a definite problem with this model. I reckon it's gonna be hard to get the dealers to check and fix.

Maybe I'll just get that bloke from the gas board to have a look as he found every sodding miniscule leak in my flue.

Jolley

I might try testing with the wing mirrors folded back and see if it still does it (it should change the flow of air). Though if opening the window soves it, it must surely be the door seal?...

I assume that previous models do not suffer from this then?

Has the wing mirror shape changed from the bugeye to the MY03?

Missile Man

Yes the mirror housings were redesigned for the MY03, in an effort to try and improve airflow in bad weather. Anyone who has driven a bugeye in wet conditions will know how quickly the mirror glass gets dirty, when there's spray around.

IMO the redesign has partially but not totally cured this problem for the MY03.

Haven't heard any strange noises from my MY03 STi PPP yet, which I've "only" taken up to 140, but my last car, a bugeye, had a very loud noise at an indicated 145mph on the autobahn (yes, honestly), which I can only describe as being similar to the noise from driving over a cattle grid at high speed.

[Edited by Missile Man - 12/11/2003 1:54:55 PM]

Thehut

Yeah, get the same noise on my MY98, freaked me right out.
Sounded like it was from the windscreen/dash area, guess it must be the windscreen seals ,as I only hear the noise when going over 100 and it gets worse if there is a strong wind. Opening the side window helped too but any ideas on how to fix permanently?
Cheers.
T

Thehut

Guess I'll keep the noise for a bit longer then.

Mr DJ

Took my car back to subaru (dealership) today and asked if they had any others reported, yes was the answer but not any problems according to subaru UK, the wing mirror was re-designed on the 03 car.

I feel a leter of complaint to head office coming on.

minister of speed

Happen's on bug eyes too (from 130 -135 +)

I thought it was the air forcing its way through the vents on dash?

But didnt try opening a window to solve it - next time.

explorewrx

had no probs with my03 doing 125mph on my own runway (M1) lol

MowbrayWRX

Mr DJ, how did the PPP test go. Was there any discrepancy between the claimed 265 ps that Prodrive state and what you saw on the RR.

I am interested as my 03 had PPP fitted today.

Tony S.

Sorry missed your latest thread hence edit.

Tony S

[Edited by MowbrayWRX - 12/15/2003 9:49:52 PM]

Tiny

Get a Tsl Firestorm cant hear a thing then!!

Tiny,...

yoza

They all do that sir.......

Along with clutch judder, failing 02 censors, small birds singing behind the dash, clunking noises from R/R suspension, liquid sound from dash upon startup, over sensitive ABS, tin foil body panels, and supersoft superthin paint.

But we still love them.......

FLAT ERIC

iTrader: (1)

PMSL at Tiny.Yes very true & nor can I when i'm behind you.

Panto mode on { He's behind you. } {Oh no he isn't } Panto mode off

Mark

[Edited by FLAT ERIC - 12/16/2003 2:05:05 AM]

Nigel H

Yoza - spot on mate

I've just aquired the liquid dash. All was fine until the 30 000 service and then it just started I just thought that there was some residual air in the coolant.

I too have had the strange noise, but not at those speeds, not having my own runway More like 100 with a stong cross wind.

MadMark

Mr DJ - re: PPP - would be interested to hear what they say as I have seen quite a few that only deliver 240-250bhp!
- I was thinking of doing mine .....

wrx03ppp

Going in for Prodrive springs and 10K service on Friday at Holdcrofts Widnes, I'll see what they have to say. But from what Yoza says, I'm pretty lucky so far with the ambient noise level so maybe I shouldn't temp fate.

Also, interesting comments about the ABS. I feel mine coming on braking over small bumps or ripples when there's no real need. It then stays pulsing for maybe 1/2 a second.

zilch

Hut, had the same on my classic, the dealership had to undertake an extensive mod to the mirror housing , the put some black mastic/sealant on the housing that buts up to the corner of the window , and hey presto it was cured. Check to see if there is a joint on the housing, thats where it was getting in on my MY98 and was well known attribute of the car

Cheers

jim

Mr DJ

Madmark and Mowbraywrx.
I took my car back to dealer who put in on their plug in thing and gave it a full bill of health, but phone subaru uk to ask if any other pobs with this model only some acuator valve or somthing like that which they changed. they will be taking it up with the area man and if no joy then Prodrive.
this may not be till next year now but will post a note when i hear.
regards, Darren

towzer

keep accelerating, it'll go away eventually.

Phil