Valve tap???

JaBooo · 12-02-2001, 01:49 AM

2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
I'm very new to the Subaru scene and I'm not sure if my engine is supposed to sound like it does. A friend told me Subaru engines sound different. It sounds almost like i have a slight valve tap at around 2-3000 rpms. Is this normal?
It's not loud, I can only hear it with the windows up. Engines got 23k on it and Synthetic oil is used and was used by the previous owner. I was a VW guy before this so this is all new to me.
--Justin

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Midwayman · 12-02-2001, 02:29 AM

The ej25 engine is kinda a loud engine. Its normal to have a bit of ticking, etc. Dont worry about it too much unless it get loud.

SuBart · 12-02-2001, 08:04 AM

It's very possible it's valve tap, I had valve tap.(1st engine) and blew a cylinder on my second engine and my car is currently at Subaru getting it's 3rd engine put in. It all depends on how hard you drive your car. I'm convinced my Impreza is a rally car so I drive it everywhere as if I were in a Rally.

The Impreza is such a fun car to drive that it's really hard not to drive it HARD!

Dam Subaru parts cost as much as Porsche parts.....

paulnose · 12-02-2001, 06:55 PM

Ticking... My car sounds like a time bomb on crack. Bet it's really loud right now without the headers on, but i'm not going to turn the engine over to find out

But the ticking has been there for a long time, not as bad after the car warms up a bit, so it's probably just due to some valve clearance issues.

-Paul

(With half the car in pieces on the ground)

yamarocket630 · 12-02-2001, 11:13 PM

When I installed my Cobb cams at 12,000 miles, I checked the valve clearance before I took anything apart, and there was a wide range of clearances, from almost to tight to almost too loose. (they were all in spec though) after installing the cams and adjusting the valves to the same spec (.015mm intake and .020mm exhaust) the enigine is much quiter.

paulnose · 12-03-2001, 04:37 AM

Well I picked up most of the pieces, 'couse I added the timing belt into that pile on the floor. Now I think I put it together okay, but If not i'll share the funny noise that will make with everyone.

And da** you yamarocket, now I almost feel like adjusting my valve clearances, maybe save it for next year so I can afford to get some turbo cams, and have more than one reason to pull off that cover.

HndaTch627 · 12-03-2001, 05:12 AM

is it a ticking or a knocking?? a ticking would prolly just be valve clearance...a knocking IIRC there was a bulletin for a bad timing belt tensioner.

jeremy

paulnose · 12-03-2001, 10:46 AM

i didn't know there was a bulletin for the timing belt tensioner, cause when I took mine belt off that tensioner wouldn't compress for anything, Had to use a vise and allen key hold the tensioner down, and then it really didn't seem to go back to the normal position afterwards, dang it, maybe I need to take a trip to the stealer, although they will probably make me pay for the damn thing since I took the damn belt off, will have to inspect it. Thanks for the warning though.

fabulous12 · 12-03-2001, 11:02 AM

I've got the same ticking, im pretty convinced it's a valve clearance problem through reading up in a bunch of threads on the ticking issue... anyone know how much it would cost to have this adjusted? I wouldnt even know where to begin if i were to do it myself... I'm getting tired of hearing this ticking though, it can be pretty loud at times, especially at low rpm acceleration (between 2k and 3k), and idle.

outback bosco · 12-03-2001, 12:02 PM

I get a ticking too.

I was getting a misfire in my #2 cylinder. i replaced the spark plug wire and this annoying ticking started. It is isolated on the left side of the engine. The ticking for me does not stop it just gets faster with the engine.

Does that sound farmiliar.

I wish I could offer a solution but right now I am just as confused as you.

BW

JaBooo · 12-03-2001, 08:12 PM

It's a tick. I have noticed that you can hear it better when its cold, like in the morning. I'm not low on oil, and there is no engine work. I guess I'll get it looked at. I just hope warranty covers it.
--JaBooo

12-02-2001, 01:49 AM	#1
JaBooo Scooby Newbie Member#: 12898 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North NJ, the Real NJ Vehicle: 2004 WRX Java Black Pearl	Valve tap??? 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS I'm very new to the Subaru scene and I'm not sure if my engine is supposed to sound like it does. A friend told me Subaru engines sound different. It sounds almost like i have a slight valve tap at around 2-3000 rpms. Is this normal? It's not loud, I can only hear it with the windows up. Engines got 23k on it and Synthetic oil is used and was used by the previous owner. I was a VW guy before this so this is all new to me. --Justin * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-03-2001, 12:02 PM	#10
outback bosco Scooby Newbie Member#: 12075 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Garage, messing w/the XTs Vehicle: 2K OBS blue/silver Lobotomized 86 & 87 XT	TICKING I get a ticking too. I was getting a misfire in my #2 cylinder. i replaced the spark plug wire and this annoying ticking started. It is isolated on the left side of the engine. The ticking for me does not stop it just gets faster with the engine. Does that sound farmiliar. I wish I could offer a solution but right now I am just as confused as you. BW

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12-02-2001, 02:29 AM	#2
Midwayman Scooby Specialist Member#: 1997 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Prospect Heights, IL Vehicle: 2006 Acura TL 6spd STMGM6 alumni	The ej25 engine is kinda a loud engine. Its normal to have a bit of ticking, etc. Dont worry about it too much unless it get loud.

12-02-2001, 08:04 AM	#3
SuBart Scooby Specialist Member#: 2956 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Jerzey Vehicle: 06 Sti-white Stg 2 98RS-rally blue	It's very possible it's valve tap, I had valve tap.(1st engine) and blew a cylinder on my second engine and my car is currently at Subaru getting it's 3rd engine put in. It all depends on how hard you drive your car. I'm convinced my Impreza is a rally car so I drive it everywhere as if I were in a Rally. The Impreza is such a fun car to drive that it's really hard not to drive it HARD! Dam Subaru parts cost as much as Porsche parts.....

12-02-2001, 06:55 PM	#4
paulnose Scooby Newbie Member#: 4348 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Fairfield County, CT Vehicle: 2001 2.5RS Silverthorn	Ticking... My car sounds like a time bomb on crack. Bet it's really loud right now without the headers on, but i'm not going to turn the engine over to find out But the ticking has been there for a long time, not as bad after the car warms up a bit, so it's probably just due to some valve clearance issues. -Paul (With half the car in pieces on the ground)

12-02-2001, 11:13 PM	#5
yamarocket630 Scooby Specialist Member#: 9436 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: My member# is lower than yours Vehicle: 05 Saab 9-5 Aero	When I installed my Cobb cams at 12,000 miles, I checked the valve clearance before I took anything apart, and there was a wide range of clearances, from almost to tight to almost too loose. (they were all in spec though) after installing the cams and adjusting the valves to the same spec (.015mm intake and .020mm exhaust) the enigine is much quiter.

12-03-2001, 04:37 AM	#6
paulnose Scooby Newbie Member#: 4348 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Fairfield County, CT Vehicle: 2001 2.5RS Silverthorn	Well I picked up most of the pieces, 'couse I added the timing belt into that pile on the floor. Now I think I put it together okay, but If not i'll share the funny noise that will make with everyone. And da** you yamarocket, now I almost feel like adjusting my valve clearances, maybe save it for next year so I can afford to get some turbo cams, and have more than one reason to pull off that cover.

12-03-2001, 05:12 AM	#7
HndaTch627 Scooby Guru Member#: 6551 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Carol Stream, IL Vehicle: '01 GC8 Dinged STM '09 Concours 14 ABS Black	is it a ticking or a knocking?? a ticking would prolly just be valve clearance...a knocking IIRC there was a bulletin for a bad timing belt tensioner. jeremy

12-03-2001, 10:46 AM	#8
paulnose Scooby Newbie Member#: 4348 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Fairfield County, CT Vehicle: 2001 2.5RS Silverthorn	i didn't know there was a bulletin for the timing belt tensioner, cause when I took mine belt off that tensioner wouldn't compress for anything, Had to use a vise and allen key hold the tensioner down, and then it really didn't seem to go back to the normal position afterwards, dang it, maybe I need to take a trip to the stealer, although they will probably make me pay for the damn thing since I took the damn belt off, will have to inspect it. Thanks for the warning though.

12-03-2001, 11:02 AM	#9
fabulous12 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6831 Join Date: May 2001 Location: philadelphia Vehicle: 98 impreza 2.5RS black	I've got the same ticking, im pretty convinced it's a valve clearance problem through reading up in a bunch of threads on the ticking issue... anyone know how much it would cost to have this adjusted? I wouldnt even know where to begin if i were to do it myself... I'm getting tired of hearing this ticking though, it can be pretty loud at times, especially at low rpm acceleration (between 2k and 3k), and idle.

12-03-2001, 08:12 PM	#11
JaBooo Scooby Newbie Member#: 12898 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North NJ, the Real NJ Vehicle: 2004 WRX Java Black Pearl	It's a tick. I have noticed that you can hear it better when its cold, like in the morning. I'm not low on oil, and there is no engine work. I guess I'll get it looked at. I just hope warranty covers it. --JaBooo