startup engine clatter

[ebaker]

I just recently bought an '06 Tribeca. The engine sounds kind of like a diesel at startup in the morning decreasing steadily for about a minute or so. I thought it was the thin break-in oil, so I switched to Mobil 1 10W30 with the same issue. Any thoughts on what this is? Are there hydraulic lifters or some other oil-pressure activated systems such as those for the variable cam timing/lift that might be causing the rattling noise for the first minute or so at cold start?

My '02 WRX never sounded so noisy at startup.

Thanks for any insight,
Eric

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[HB_Dad]

Mine does the same thing. Funny, I likened it to a Diesel sound as well.

Probably just a cold engine. Even in summer here in HOT Southern California, a night off for an engine is still a night off.

Oh yeah, your WRX has a 4-banger while the Tribeca is an H6. Different engines, especially stronger ones, probably sound a bit different. However, if anyone else has any ideas, I'd love to hear it.

[Foxbat]

I think all Subie engines ( after '98) use hydraulic lifters which tend to be noiser on cold engine.

[erik99]

Originally Posted by ebaker

I just recently bought an '06 Tribeca. The engine sounds kind of like a diesel at startup in the morning decreasing steadily for about a minute or so. I thought it was the thin break-in oil, so I switched to Mobil 1 10W30 with the same issue. Any thoughts on what this is? Are there hydraulic lifters or some other oil-pressure activated systems such as those for the variable cam timing/lift that might be causing the rattling noise for the first minute or so at cold start?

My '02 WRX never sounded so noisy at startup.

Thanks for any insight,
Eric

You should be using 5W-30. It is slightly thinner and will flow to the lifters more quickly. Subaru does not recommend synthetic oils either.

[Peaty]

Subaru does not recommend synthetic oils either.

Not sure where you heard that but that is not true. My dealer even offers it. They don't reccomend oil additives (stp oil treatment etc.) but Synth oil is fine as long as it meets the specs called for.

Subaru does not use break in oil. Myself I don't switch to synth till 10K miles. I use dino oil till then. In the winter I use 5W-30 and in the summer 10W30. I just changed my oil in the B9 (At 7K) to the 10W30 and have no start up sound issues. I'm using the Wix filter right now.

[erik99]

I'm only repeating what my dealer said in regards to synthetics. I am not sure what the warranty states.

[Peaty]

When you say dealer do you mean the salesman?

[erik99]

The salesman was reading from a well rehearsed script.

Do you have any documentation saying synthetics are OK?

[Peaty]

Yes I'll look for it. also there was a documented conversation with Subaru on Edmunds and the question was asked. They said it was fine as long as it met the requirements.

However if you look in the owners manual (section 11-7) on oil changes. It says nothing about Synth either way. If it was not good to use they would say so.

[erik99]

Interesting. There must be something to it if the salesman was required to warn me.

I am going dino for the first oil change (as soon as it cools off outside!).

My Forester liked to burn full synthetic but wouldn't use a drop of dino.

[BajaT05]

I use synthetic (Mobil1 5W-30) in the Turbocharged Baja and I change it every 5K or so often. The car has been using the oil since 3K miles and 20K later it doesnt use a drop..... The dealer also recomends synthetic and the only thing they care about is the filter being Subaru Branded for warranty purpouses....


Alex

[Peaty]

The dealer can not require a Subaru Brand filter for warranty unless they provide it to you for free. This is another thing they try to push at some places. Don't get me wrong they are not bad filters but they can not deny warranty if they see another filter. The type of filter you use just has to on the box it "meets or exceeds OEM specifications"

Magnuson Moss Warranty Act

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...2----000-.html

(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if—

(1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and

(2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.

The Commission shall identify in the Federal Register, and permit public comment on, all applications for waiver of the prohibition of this subsection, and shall publish in the Federal Register its disposition of any such application, including the reasons therefor.

Tom and Ray agree too

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...0/July/04.html

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum.../April/01.html

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...97/May/09.html

On the oil if you read through the owners and service manual all it says is that the oil needs to meet API SL or SJ grade classification nothing about synth or dyno.