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Old 09-14-2003, 08:32 PM   #1
wlchan
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Unhappy Why does my car sound like my mom's car?

I know there are a lot of threads out there with the same issue, but I did not find the an answer that I am satisfied with.

There has been a loud ticking sound coming from the passenger side. This ticking started exactly 1 week after I changed the uppipe, downpipe, oil, and filter. It sounds like my mom's diesel mercedes. A loud ticking that gets faster as I rev the engine. I use Mobil 1 synthetic 5w-30.

I have read a lot of threads and there have been many speculations about the noise.

Leak - I don't think it is a leak because the ticking is still there after I just drove 2 hours home. The only way there is a leak if the screw I replace for the egt sensor on the uppipe came loose, but I tighten that screw and nut down pretty tight.

Injectors - The sound is coming mostly from the passenger side, around the turbo area instead of from both sides of the engine.

wastegate - I have read that if it is the wastegate, the clicking happens between mild to medium boost. Mine happens at idle and the frequency increases when reving(in neutral or in gear) up to a certain point.

timing belt tensioner - People say that this usually happens when you have a cold start and goes away when the car warms up. My car has this constant ticking noise that never goes away.

normal - I am not sure if I believe that this clicking is normal. I have driven 22000 miles before this clicking started and the sound is loud, like a diesel car. I hear this clicking start right when I turn on the car. It is a constant ticking that does not go away no matter what.

Can someone please give me some advice as to what I can do???? I don't really want to take it to the dealer ship because I'm afraid they will feed me a bunch of bs about modding my car. An putting back the stock pipes is something I want to avoid at ALL cost.

Wei
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Old 09-14-2003, 10:32 PM   #2
cooter
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Default Re: Why does my car sound like my mom's car?

Quote:
Originally posted by wlchan
Leak - I don't think it is a leak because the ticking is still there after I just drove 2 hours home. The only way there is a leak if the screw I replace for the egt sensor on the uppipe came loose, but I tighten that screw and nut down pretty tight.
I would still check that bolt. When reusing the factory EGT probe in an aftermarket uppipe, it has been known to back out, resulting in a car that sounds like an old VW Beetle. I imagine this is the same with a simple bolt.

Good luck.
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Old 09-14-2003, 11:26 PM   #3
wlchan
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I jacked up my car and checked that bolt, but the bolt is snug. I do not know what the problem is.

Wei
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Old 09-14-2003, 11:33 PM   #4
Bolster
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I recently installed a header and I get a little ticking noise in the front end too. It's normal.
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Old 09-14-2003, 11:53 PM   #5
wlchan
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I am trying to pinpoint the ticking noise, and it sounds like it is coming from the little round thing connected to the turbo. Sorry, I do know much about my car. Have you ever seen those monks on tv hitting on a hollow piece of wood? It kindof sounds a little like that.

Wei
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Old 09-15-2003, 01:25 AM   #6
eastcoastbumps
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I was told to use a tube or a stethescope with a rod to find the location of an engine noise.

Pete
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Old 09-15-2003, 02:26 AM   #7
treybomb
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Solid valve lifters?
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Old 09-15-2003, 04:51 AM   #8
ErikAnderson
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little round thing on your turbo? your wastegate actuator? i wonder why that would tick. odd.
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Old 09-15-2003, 10:22 AM   #9
wcbjr
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If it's not a high-pitched whistle and you can quickly make full-boost then you are fine. That noise is a result of taking the cats out and not having thick walled pipes and heat shields on.
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Old 09-15-2003, 03:05 PM   #10
dubRexn
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My car also makes that ticking noise a week after I put in the up-pipe downpipe and headers. I thought it may have been valvetap or something, so it isn't something to be alarmed with?
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Old 09-15-2003, 04:02 PM   #11
Turbo4Life
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I also have that same ticking sound after installing a catless uppipe/downpipe. The noise was bothering me so much that yesterday I redid my whole uppipe installaion and I still have that same ticking noise. So I guess like wcbjr suggested that the noise is a result of taking the cats out and not having thick walled pipes and heat shields on.
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Old 09-15-2003, 04:13 PM   #12
ride5000
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lots of subie owners report piston slap, especially while cold.

jm2c
ken
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Old 09-18-2003, 09:07 PM   #13
SubaruImpreza_power
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do all the engines have the problem when cold?
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Old 09-19-2003, 01:31 AM   #14
santofontana
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exhaust pulses in or leaking from uppipe gets my vote
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Old 10-10-2003, 08:50 PM   #15
Turbo4Life
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wlchan, did you ever found out what that ticking noise was? Just curious cause I still have that same ticking sound.
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Old 10-10-2003, 11:02 PM   #16
JSiwek
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That is almost definitely noise from your valves. My valves click like it's their job. Granted, I got my engine from a wrecked WRX and they almost always have bent valves... the heads were pulled and the valves were not bent, but they had been improperly shimmed at the salvage yard. They were re-shimmed to spec, and were quieter after doing so... but they still tick like crazy. I would guess that if you put your head/ears near the heads (extreme sides of the engine where the spark plugs are) you will hear the sound louder than anywhere else...

Jeremy
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Old 11-15-2003, 02:26 AM   #17
andross22
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Well, my car is stock.. i took it into the dealership for this problem, and they replaced some sensors. i didnt know if that was the problem or not, but then i got the car back 2 days later. it drove a little better, but the ticking was still there.
i also think its the valves, cuz they tick to the speed of the motor, according to the rpms.. they get faster as the car revs more. again, stock up pipe, downpipe, etc. the car is bone stock.. does the wrx have a history of weak head, or maybe valve retainers/springs, or weak valves in general? please get back to me.
ps.. i am also feeling a loss in power when this happens, are you guys?
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Old 11-27-2003, 12:58 AM   #18
wrx_snobordr
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i just picked up an 02 and on the drive home i started to notice the same ticking..... im pretty sure its valve tick... i dont think its a problem unless its to the point that its decreasing compression in that cylinder. ive heard that cylinder #3 is the most troublesome. but i still dont like hearing that noise coming from my engine... its all i can hear even if the radio is all the way up its like torture does anyone know if this can cause worse problems though? or if its the start of somthing larger?
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Old 11-27-2003, 01:14 AM   #19
CynicX
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record the sound....i think we are talking about multiple problems here, alot of stuff can tick....as for wlchan i still think its an exhaust leak...most engines will tick on a cold start till the oil circulates/injectors warm.....

wrx_snobordr - i couldnt imagine hearing valve noise over tire to road noise let alone the radio...

my roommates 02 with header/turboback/up-pipe has 0 ticking or clicking....so i dont think its "normal"
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