I test drove a 2004 TS (2.5L) tonight that I'm very strongly considering buying. Tonight was colder at about 40 degrees F. When I took the car out I noticed a tapping or soft knocking coming from the engine bay on acceleration. As soon as I lifted the noise went away. However, after a couple miles the sound just went away and I couldn't reproduce it anymore. Is this normal for a Subaru? I don't know Subarus - I'm a Honda guy who's looking to switch.I know it's not a normal sound for a stock Honda engine. The TS' engine did have a nice growl to it though.

I may be too **** about this, but I've gotten screwed over on my last two cars with slight engine sounds that blew up into big issues, so I'm a little gun shy now.

The car has 28k on it.

 

I think the noise you are describing is Piston Slap but I may be wrong - hopefully an expert will be along soon

 

If you are in any doubt mate, walk away. Not worth the hassle. Big ££££££ if the engine blows on a Subaru.

Phil.

 

Its just piston slap. More likely to happen when cold, and very common on subarus.
Its something to do with the pistons being undersized by a few thou when cold, then expanding as they heat up to fit the cylinder bore.
As long as it goes away when warm, it will be fine. Also, ask what oil is being used. If they don't know, walk away.
.

 

Mine used to do this on very cold mornings.... a very tappy on start up and stopped once warm.
My local mechanic said it was down to the oil being to thin and escaping from the hyrdaulic tappet lifters....? Car was only 10 000kms old and oil had just been done garage used 0-30W
Changed the oil for some 10-50W oil and the tapping went away!

Maybe the same problem..... ? Try to find out what viscocity oil it's running.

Of course if in doubt....... walk....... fast......


Plums.

 

It's at a dealership, so they won't know what oil was being used.

From what I've read here and on NASIOC.com, this sound is normal for a Subaru engine. I don't want to walk away from a nice car (and pretty rare around here) for what is a normal noise.

 

Usually in the service book they put the oil used.....

Plums....

 

Are they gonna put warrenty on the engine Get independant mechanic to check over for you, but as the others say if in doubt walk away
kips

 

It still hase 31,000 mile sand 38 months left on the factory drivetrain warranty. I have 5 days and 250 miles to return the car no-questions-asked, so it would immediately go to my mechanic, but I'm not sure he could reproduce the sound since it only happened on the second test drive which happened at in colder weather.

Remember, I'm coming to this from Hondas. If I walked away from any Subaru that mades noises then I'd never be able to buy one!

 

fu@@ me when are subaru the going to sort out this piston slap boll@@@s.
its embarrassing .every version suffers from the same problem.i love scoobs but this is what puts me off buying another one.we should not be saying "oh its piston slap " we should be having A GROUP PROTEST and write a letter of
unhappy piston slap owners club to subaru and all sign it.then hopefully they would spend more MONEY on better technology or replace and strengthen our existing engines.I CANT BELIEVE WE STILL PUT UP WITH ****E.

 

guy came to buy mine this morning and was put off by his mechanic brother in law who knows nothing of subaru's. mine does it and goes away when warmed up properly...it pisses me off cos it is normal but he wasnt buying it !! mine has documented full comprehensive dealer aftercare and only 69k miles but he wasnt convinced....it feels like we are trying to con people !! i wish every potential scooby buyer done his homework !!

 

from his point of view he would be thinking, if its got piston slap is the engine going to be stronger ?

 

Think the 'Piston Slap' is normal. Mine does it when starting from cold then goes away after about 5 mins. Think there was a topic on here earlier today on the exact same thing and a lot of people posted saying it's exactly the same with their cars.
See
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...off-buyer.html

 

I just want to know:

1. Will it get worse?

2. Is it damaging my engine?

 

jeez ffs piston slap IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!

 

No, but it IS extremely common on Imprezas!