SUBARU3 Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 I have a co-worker that has a 2.2 Legacy 1995 AWD. Her "new boyfriend" said he heard a knock in her car. (It has 71K) I think he hates Subarus! At any rate, she asked me to listen to it. I compared it to 2 of my EJ engines and it sounds identical, except she gets a slight knock/tap at low idle. No noise above idle, under load, deceleration, or acceleration. If you rev the engine up and then let it settle back to idle it takes a few seconds for the tap to start again. The tap is very faint, but noticeable. Does this just sound like a lifter? She had the timing belt, seals and h20 pump done 4 months ago. Nothing done to the oilpump however. There are no performance issues with driving and the car has been maintained VERY well! (mobil 1 since new) I told her it's no biggie. Every engine sounds a bit different. Your Thoughts?? Thanks, Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasquatch Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 The lash adjuster is probably just sticking a little...nothing to worry about...it'll probably free itself up....pretty easy to check once you have the valve cover off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Long screwdriver stethescope trick time. Isolate the sound to a side, cyl, or part of the block. Does this one have the adjustable valve lifters? Some people dont believe me but there are some that do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 Guys, I think this has hydro -lifters. I guess one might not be pumping up? Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Guys, I think this has hydro -lifters. I guess one might not be pumping up? Todd if it has HLA's, then yup they can make noise. sometimes a grade thicker or thinner oil will help, though i consider that a band-aid more or less. or try some sea foam added to the oil. this can clean the HLA if it's build up related. oil pump would have been a good maintenance item with all that timing belt, water pump stuff too. it has seals and screws on the backing plate that come loose. not saying that's the cause but good to take care of "while you're in there". and the guy saying engine knock is probably wrong. is it me or does every diagnosis from people that know nothing about cars involve either "the catalytic converter is clogged" or "it's like it's not getting any fuel so it's the fuel pump". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 Funny, it doesn't do it from cold, only after it warms a bit. Happens only below 800rpm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 try a little heavier weight oil if she's using the really thin snyth's now. if it's is an HLA engine change the oil often (relatively speaking of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 Yes, she has synthetic 10 30 I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 that should be fine, i was thinking she might be running that really light stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Todd, the possibility exists that whomever did the T-belt replacement did not tension the belt properly and it is "flopping" around at idle. As the RPM build the centrifugal force keeps it from flopping I like the mechanics stethoscope idea Shawn has, if it is a tension problem it has the potential for skipping a tooth and causing some drivability issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 How would one adjust the tension? Once you pull the pin on the adjuster, it's automatic. It presses against the tension pulley and pushes the belt down. Slapping belt make sense though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted January 14, 2006 Author Share Posted January 14, 2006 bump on the belt tension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 Would not be the first time a so called specialist forgot to relase the tensioner fresh belt was tight and has loosened up some when warm it has enough slack to hit the belt cover ?? stethescope can be a very good friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Clark Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 You can use about 5 feet of fuel hose to pinpoint noises better than using a screwstick. Buy the bulk stuff so it isn't coiled up tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 TC is right on but I find your typical garden hose fits my elephant sized ear better. LOL Placing a dowl or other cirular object in the working end will provive a means for pinpointing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 Have a listen to this: http://www.geocities.com/vik2r/Sube/mp3/warmstart.mp3 It's my previous car, a 1990 Legacy 2.2 with the same engine as the 95. It's equipped with hydraulic valve lifters, just like the one you are talking about. I know that recording doesn't have the engine idling for too long, but you can hear a slighty rattle in there somewhere. At the time of the recording the engine had 120k miles. Car is still running with 200k miles on the clock :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 the later 2.5 engines were known to have "piston slap" at idle The piston skirt was to blame could we be hearing this in both examples There was reportedly no cause for concern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted January 14, 2006 Author Share Posted January 14, 2006 That recording kinda sounds like it. Her's is not quite as noticeable. She had an oil change and went to 10 w 40 from 10 w 30 and she reported it has all but stopped. Hmm....I think it's a sticky lifter now. Thanks all for your input. You are all great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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