Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Factory 2.5L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.5L Turbo)

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-06-2012, 10:59 PM   #1
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default Lovely Engine Noises! Audio INSIDE!

So i have recently been hearing this ticking noise coming from the engine bay. Its only between 2k-3k rpms. Does not get louder when going through the 2/3krpm range, and goes away after 3k rpm. Oil was recently changed with 5-40w rotella. Also had a compression test done recently 128-130 across the board. car runs fine, idles fine, pulls like a champ. Just had my tuner touch up my tune, everything is running perfectly, except this ticking noise is driving me nuts.

Its synced with the pistons i think. Its not loud by any means, just noticeable.

car has 72k miles.

I tried recording it with my iPhone, but i don't think its loud enough to be captured on the microphone. When the car is in neutral and i have the someone rev the engine it doesn't happen. only seems to be under load.

I will try and upload a video of the recording, since that seems to help peoples responses. It there is anything im leaving out let me know or any questions that would help. thanks
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by rymaggi; 11-09-2012 at 11:35 PM.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 11-07-2012, 01:11 AM   #2
UK-Wagon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 232430
Join Date: Dec 2009
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: On the Left side
Vehicle:
555 XTi
1 AW & 1 CGM

Default

Built engine, stock engine? details like that would help
UK-Wagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 01:53 AM   #3
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Stock engine.

Vf39
Spearco TMIC
Wally
GM Ebcs

Pro tuned.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 02:02 AM   #4
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rymaggi
Stock engine.

Vf39
Spearco TMIC
Wally
GM Ebcs

Pro tuned.
It's not violent and loud like a spun rod or knock. There's Is 0 knock.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 05:57 AM   #5
Decipher
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 262760
Join Date: Nov 2010
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise
Vehicle:
2011 WRX Hatch Limtd
Satin White Pearl

Default

It happens all the time, or only when the engine is cold? Piston slap, perhaps?
Decipher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 07:32 AM   #6
VTSubieRS
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 90608
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Vermont & St. Simons Georgia
Vehicle:
2005 STI, '08 3.0R
05 2.5RS, 92 Legacy L

Default

sounds like piston slap, or rod knock starting, but hard to tell just from description.
VTSubieRS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 10:28 AM   #7
MikeG4936
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 260561
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Dallas, TX
Vehicle:
2006 Impreza WRX Ltd
Grey

Default

I think I'm having the same problem, and I think it's rod knock (or the beginning of rod knock).

I have the same exact symptoms as you, but it is unnoticeable when the engine is cold.
MikeG4936 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 12:45 PM   #8
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeG4936
I think I'm having the same problem, and I think it's rod knock (or the beginning of rod knock).

I have the same exact symptoms as you, but it is unnoticeable when the engine is cold.
Mine doesn't matter. Hot or cold. It's there. And it's not loud like all the rid knock videos. It's been making this ticking for a while. Hasn't gotten any louder and I have done plenty of pulls.

Trying to make a audio clip.

Just drove around and tried recording it with my iphone recording underneath the pedals. Its something u cant hear when driving during the day, with the music on 4-5 volume. If you have no music on, during the day, you can slightly hear it. But at night when its calm and not loud out you can hear it. Its not there when you rev the motor, but under load only. It is steady, and does not get louder no matter how fast you go through the 2k-3k rpm range, its mainly while cruising through residential is when ill go "what the ****... is ... that..."

Last edited by rymaggi; 11-07-2012 at 02:14 PM.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 04:49 PM   #9
BrandonDrums
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 118630
Join Date: Jun 2006
Chapter/Region: South East
Vehicle:
2005 Wrx wagon
Red

Default

Could be a cam pulley or timing belt tensioner or a stuck valve or a noisy injector too.

My 00 ouback has a little clackety clack going on with my timing belt pulleys or the left side valvetrain. The other day it was louder than the rod knock my WRX currently has. Scared me to death so I shut it down. It was gone when I started back up.

If you don't have gold flakes in the oil then I bet the bearing in one of the pulleys on either your accessory belt or on the timing belt is going bad or you're just experiencing the normal farm tractor valve train sounds subie motors tend to make. I feel like the noises get louder with thicker oil too.

There's a few videos on youtube where guys with belt/pulley ticks put up that might be good comparison.

Also, if it's any consolation, the ticking on my outback got much louder just after switching to Rotella, I'll be switching back to high mileage Pennzoil on the outback as a result. Rotella despite being 5w-40 is much much thicker than a regular 5w-30 when cold, it really should be rated 10w-40 when used in gasoline engines with lower oil pressure IMO.

Last edited by BrandonDrums; 11-07-2012 at 04:57 PM.
BrandonDrums is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 04:55 PM   #10
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrandonDrums

What worries me though, the fact the knocking sound is only from 2-3k is not the best sign. If it were a pulley, it'd be everywhere. Rod Knock is most commonly present when a bearing first fails from 2-3k.
That's what scares me also. Is there anyway to be sure you have knock. Last week my tuner did some logs. Showed absolutely no knock anywhere.

In the audio u can barely hear it. And I know the exact in listening for an I can barely see it. So intel I fine a better way to capture this noise. No clip!

The runs and pulls like a champ. And this noise has been around for like 2-3 months. Hasn't gotten any louder. I did recently have some misfires recently in cylinders 3/4 due to my super conservative tune and temp drop.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 04:58 PM   #11
MikeG4936
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 260561
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Dallas, TX
Vehicle:
2006 Impreza WRX Ltd
Grey

Default

Please find a way to get that on video. I really do think we have the same thing, and I would very much like for it not to be rod knock. Since it is happening between 2k-3k RPM, I'm not holding my breath, tho...

Maybe I'll try to get some video up too...
MikeG4936 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 05:06 PM   #12
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeG4936
Please find a way to get that on video. I really do think we have the same thing, and I would very much like for it not to be rod knock. Since it is happening between 2k-3k RPM, I'm not holding my breath, tho...

Maybe I'll try to get some video up too...
I'm trying. My iPhone makes m4a files. And movie maker doesn't accept those files.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 05:16 PM   #13
VTSubieRS
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 90608
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Vermont & St. Simons Georgia
Vehicle:
2005 STI, '08 3.0R
05 2.5RS, 92 Legacy L

Default

could be lifter tick. old ej motors are notorious for it, i'd be surprised with one as new as yours. although my 05 RS had some. ever run it low(er) on oil? and issues with the car before?

Last edited by VTSubieRS; 11-07-2012 at 05:46 PM.
VTSubieRS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 05:41 PM   #14
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VTSubieRS
could be lifter tick. old ej motors are notorious for it, i'd be surprised with one as new as yours. ever run it low(er) on oil? and issues with the car before?
Oil: not that I can think of. I'm pretty religious about keeping maintenance up. I wash the damn thing like 2-3 a week.

No, zero issues.

A tick is exactly what it sounds like. Tick tick tick tick
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 05:46 PM   #15
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VTSubieRS
could be lifter tick. old ej motors are notorious for it, i'd be surprised with one as new as yours. ever run it low(er) on oil? and issues with the car before?
Well actually. When my tuner did my turbo project install n such. He noticed I was about 3/4 a quart low on oil. (Mobile 1) and filled it for me.

I do not remember having this exact noise previous. Things always ticking....
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 06:34 PM   #16
sam0218
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 315130
Join Date: Mar 2012
Default

You say it does not do it at idle? I guess revving the motor with the hood up won't help. Look at the fitment of the hood. Touching the Intercooler? Is it loose? Look for other loose things under the hood. I had the I/C problem and had a noise like yours coming from the A/C lines on the firewall. Hope this helps
sam0218 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 06:41 PM   #17
slightlysublime
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 306007
Join Date: Jan 2012
Default

i have an 06 wrx, bone stock with 125xxx with an spt sri. only a few days ago i noticed at idle the car makes same sort of ticking sound (and i know boxers are noisy in general) it seems to have gotten more noticable. when u lightly give it gas and up the rpms it seems as if the ticking goes with the rotations but to a certain point it smooths out and disapears. you also hear a water flowing sound from what i'm assuming is the water pump. i went to a subaru dealer by me and they said everything checks out but they didn't leakdown/compression test my car. and then 2 days after i went to subaru i hear that dreaded faux supercharger whine. i'm guessing that would be the a/c tensioner pulley? and/or alternator on its way out.? i'm just conerned that i have a bearing on it's way out or something such as a lifter problem?
slightlysublime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2012, 09:18 PM   #18
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sam0218
You say it does not do it at idle? I guess revving the motor with the hood up won't help. Look at the fitment of the hood. Touching the Intercooler? Is it loose? Look for other loose things under the hood. I had the I/C problem and had a noise like yours coming from the A/C lines on the firewall. Hope this helps
Well my spearco had to be "custom" fitted. The 2 hard lines that screw into the OEM TMIC are just resting in front of it. There pretty secure. But not totally secure from tapping the spearco I guess. The spearco is a beast. I had to remove my stock shroud.

Tmrw ill see if there is anyway to make them Rick solid against the cooler and check any other lines that could be tapping on something.

Hope that solves the problem.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2012, 11:30 PM   #19
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

figured out how to upload it, and captured it on audio, will post when its done uploading.

It seems to mainly bee first gear while cruising threw parking lots, and seems to be almost separate from the engine. Once i get going and driving the engine and exhaust overcome it. The engine at idle sounds perfectly fine its just around 1.8krpm to 2.5rpm anything after that u can even hear it.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2012, 11:34 PM   #20
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default


This was in first gear at around 1.8rpms, driving through a parking lot. During regular driving its only really there in first gear. otherwise the engine i think over comes the ticking
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2012, 12:43 AM   #21
MikeG4936
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 260561
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Dallas, TX
Vehicle:
2006 Impreza WRX Ltd
Grey

Default

Yeah, that's not rod knock. The ticking isn't changing speed with RPMs, so it must be something else.
MikeG4936 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2012, 01:13 AM   #22
rymaggi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 253442
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeG4936
Yeah, that's not rod knock. The ticking isn't changing speed with RPMs, so it must be something else.
Thank god.
rymaggi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2012, 07:27 AM   #23
ThunderousProduction
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 282899
Join Date: May 2011
Default

Its not very telling, no real pattern to RPM or anything. Usually to diagnose things like this I place a shotgun microphone around until the symptoms get loudest then I look from there.
ThunderousProduction is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2012, 09:29 AM   #24
1wrxtra
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 316364
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2012 WRX

Default

Mine makes a weird ticking noise around this rpm range too but it's more of a rattle. It occurs audibly in 1st and 2nd but is not noticable in 3rd/4th/5th. My guess is UP heat shield?

Haven't had time to check it out yet.
1wrxtra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2012, 11:19 AM   #25
UK-Wagon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 232430
Join Date: Dec 2009
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: On the Left side
Vehicle:
555 XTi
1 AW & 1 CGM

Default

Definatly a sound we dont hear quite often, could even be clutch related. Since it doesnt change with RMP its difficult to say its engine internal related at all. Almost sounds like a throw out bearing issue. Ive herd some that sound exactly like that.

Can you hear this noise at idle?
UK-Wagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.