What is the noise from when you first start your WRX??

Myth21 · 09-26-2012, 10:02 PM

I notice when I first start my car I hear a loud, suction type of noise that lasts for maybe 10 second then the car gets quieter.

I am trying to figure what that is from, because there is some other weird noise when I roll away and I think it may be associated with it.

PS: 2012 WRX

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YCT · 09-26-2012, 10:03 PM

I believe the newer boxer motors have an air pump. That maybe the noise you hear upon startup.

HinshawWRX · 09-26-2012, 10:07 PM

Without a video it's hard to pinpoint. Subaru's are noisy. It could be the fuel pump, it could be almost anything. You really don't hear the air pump, and they do not always run during startup.

Myth21 · 09-26-2012, 10:14 PM

Could be the fuel pump, sounds more likely. It gets pretty dead quiet and all I hear is the engine idle after 10 seconds or so.

The reason I am asking is because I sometimes hear a metal scratching noise, and sounds like it's spinning at the same time when I take off slowly. I am hoping it is not the bearing because the car drives great and I am not hearing a loud vibration or humming noise at high speed like I would if it was a bad bearing.

And I doubt it's anything with the clutch...I had the passanger side bearing replaced few month ago because I slid into a guard and that was obvious. The wheel was wiggly when lifted.

Flat 4 Motorsport · 09-26-2012, 10:25 PM

Air pump

stevejones19 · 09-26-2012, 10:51 PM

I second the air pump. When they start letting go, they can make a bit of noise. Mine is at that stage right now.

RuinerXL · 09-26-2012, 11:02 PM

Could it be the ABS self-check? Every time the car starts, the ABS system goes off as a diagnostic...sounds like the "scratching" noise you're hearing. Happens every time I get the car moving after starting it up.

Myth21 · 09-26-2012, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RuinerXL

Could it be the ABS self-check? Every time the car starts, the ABS system goes off as a diagnostic...sounds like the "scratching" noise you're hearing. Happens every time I get the car moving after starting it up.

That sounds like it too, the noise sounds like a hollowed grinding like "dunnnnnn, dunnnnn" as I roll off the first 2 seconds...but does it sound like metal..?

RuinerXL · 09-26-2012, 11:12 PM

Like others have indicated, it would be tough to pinpoint the sound without a video of some sort, but I do know that my car produces a sort of grinding sound for a very short duration when getting it going after starting, which is due to the above mentioned ABS check.

Myth21 · 09-26-2012, 11:22 PM

But I hear it not only at intital start but during in between on/offs as well. And I tend to hear it everytime I'm in some kind of covered drive thru...lol

Wraith646 · 09-26-2012, 11:24 PM

Here is your answer =

It is your air pump. You will hear the drone from the pump and the thudding sound in the cylinder heads and intake.

Tripintaz · 09-27-2012, 02:58 PM

air pump

gurusan · 09-27-2012, 10:23 PM

It's the air pump!

bdearnley · 09-27-2012, 11:39 PM

My air pump sound presents itself as a loud rattling sound coming from the exhaust after a cold start. Sounds really like a loose heatshield or something under the car or inside the muffler. Stops when the air pump turns off after a minute or so, or if I blip the throttle a bit to rev the engine gently. I have a 3" exhaust with the stock muffler (2012 hatch) so I'm hoping this is normal. Is this what others have heard when talking about the air pump noise?

luvless2620 · 09-28-2012, 12:27 AM

Not sure if it was mentioned yet but "air pump".

Mike 01Hawk · 09-28-2012, 02:37 AM

Something that might pump air?

DHRDAN · 09-28-2012, 02:43 AM

To all the morons who posted "it's your fuel pump"... you kids are buckets of stupid.

plz stop posting.

eronenris · 09-28-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdearnley

My air pump sound presents itself as a loud rattling sound coming from the exhaust after a cold start. Sounds really like a loose heatshield or something under the car or inside the muffler. Stops when the air pump turns off after a minute or so, or if I blip the throttle a bit to rev the engine gently. I have a 3" exhaust with the stock muffler (2012 hatch) so I'm hoping this is normal. Is this what others have heard when talking about the air pump noise?

yes this is normal.

bdearnley · 09-28-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eronenris

yes this is normal.

Thank you. It's so alarming I'm surprised there isn't more discussion about it on various forums. Faark it's loud! And also surprising that a downpipe and midpipe, which barely makes the exhaust louder when driving can amplify this sound so much compared to the stock exhaust. It would be good if there was a way to disable it with an ecu tweak rather than having to remove it if you want to get rid of it.

Dirtrace95 · 09-28-2012, 11:27 PM

LOL :-) My air pump sounds like shictz

Mike 01Hawk · 09-29-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdearnley

It would be good if there was a way to disable it with an ecu tweak rather than having to remove it if you want to get rid of it.

You can pull fuses when the valves are closed. Also have to clear the CEL codes.

bdearnley · 09-29-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike 01Hawk

You can pull fuses when the valves are closed. Also have to clear the CEL codes.

Interesting. So I assume the valves are closed when the engine is warm, correct? Also will the CEL keep coming back once cleared? Will the engine run rough or are there any other negative side effects?

Mike 01Hawk · 09-30-2012, 10:07 AM

Warm = closed. CEL codes will have to be erased by a tweak of your ECU. No side effects to performance/mpg/etc, your cats will just be inefficient on start-up which is a moot point if you are now running with a catless DP. Read the Air Pump Delete thread(s)

HinshawWRX · 09-30-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdearnley

Interesting. So I assume the valves are closed when the engine is warm, correct? Also will the CEL keep coming back once cleared? Will the engine run rough or are there any other negative side effects?

If you "tune out" or turn them off via a tune, they will not come back. If you simply pull fuses, they will stay on. The air pump is for emissions only, and DO NOT RUN AT EVERY START UP. (Some people, especially in here seem to forget this) It does not affect how the motor runs. There is an entire thread about removing the air pump on 06+ motors, read it.

bdearnley · 09-30-2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike 01Hawk

Warm = closed. CEL codes will have to be erased by a tweak of your ECU. No side effects to performance/mpg/etc, your cats will just be inefficient on start-up which is a moot point if you are now running with a catless DP. Read the Air Pump Delete thread(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HinshawWRX

If you "tune out" or turn them off via a tune, they will not come back. If you simply pull fuses, they will stay on. The air pump is for emissions only, and DO NOT RUN AT EVERY START UP. (Some people, especially in here seem to forget this) It does not affect how the motor runs. There is an entire thread about removing the air pump on 06+ motors, read it.

Thankyou both. I will think about doing this.

09-26-2012, 10:02 PM	#1
Myth21 * Banned * Member#: 246851 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Anacrime Vehicle: 2007 UGM 2012 LR	What is the noise from when you first start your WRX?? I notice when I first start my car I hear a loud, suction type of noise that lasts for maybe 10 second then the car gets quieter. I am trying to figure what that is from, because there is some other weird noise when I roll away and I think it may be associated with it. PS: 2012 WRX * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-26-2012, 10:03 PM	#2
YCT Scooby Specialist Member#: 122167 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Dirty South Vehicle: 07 Acura TL TypeS Kinetic Blue Pearl	I believe the newer boxer motors have an air pump. That maybe the noise you hear upon startup.

09-26-2012, 10:07 PM	#3
HinshawWRX Lil' Ron Moderator Member#: 140114 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Jolly ol York of VA Vehicle: 06 18G Semi Built SGM WRX	Without a video it's hard to pinpoint. Subaru's are noisy. It could be the fuel pump, it could be almost anything. You really don't hear the air pump, and they do not always run during startup.

09-26-2012, 10:14 PM	#4
Myth21 * Banned * Member#: 246851 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Anacrime Vehicle: 2007 UGM 2012 LR	Could be the fuel pump, sounds more likely. It gets pretty dead quiet and all I hear is the engine idle after 10 seconds or so. The reason I am asking is because I sometimes hear a metal scratching noise, and sounds like it's spinning at the same time when I take off slowly. I am hoping it is not the bearing because the car drives great and I am not hearing a loud vibration or humming noise at high speed like I would if it was a bad bearing. And I doubt it's anything with the clutch...I had the passanger side bearing replaced few month ago because I slid into a guard and that was obvious. The wheel was wiggly when lifted.

09-26-2012, 10:25 PM	#5
Flat 4 Motorsport NASIOC Vendor Member#: 295846 Join Date: Sep 2011 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Crook County, Illinois Vehicle: WRX FP HTA GT3076R Sexual Chocolate	Air pump

09-26-2012, 10:51 PM	#6
stevejones19 Scooby Specialist Member#: 275250 Join Date: Feb 2011 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Lacey, WA Vehicle: 2006 WRX White	I second the air pump. When they start letting go, they can make a bit of noise. Mine is at that stage right now.

09-26-2012, 11:02 PM	#7
RuinerXL Scooby Newbie Member#: 69300 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Vehicle: 2012 WRX WR Blue Pearl	Could it be the ABS self-check? Every time the car starts, the ABS system goes off as a diagnostic...sounds like the "scratching" noise you're hearing. Happens every time I get the car moving after starting it up.

09-26-2012, 11:12 PM	#9
RuinerXL Scooby Newbie Member#: 69300 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Vehicle: 2012 WRX WR Blue Pearl	Like others have indicated, it would be tough to pinpoint the sound without a video of some sort, but I do know that my car produces a sort of grinding sound for a very short duration when getting it going after starting, which is due to the above mentioned ABS check.

09-26-2012, 11:22 PM	#10
Myth21 * Banned * Member#: 246851 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Anacrime Vehicle: 2007 UGM 2012 LR	But I hear it not only at intital start but during in between on/offs as well. And I tend to hear it everytime I'm in some kind of covered drive thru...lol

09-26-2012, 11:24 PM	#11
Wraith646 Scooby Newbie Member#: 311865 Join Date: Feb 2012 Chapter/Region: SCIC Vehicle: 2005 Subaru Silver	Here is your answer = It is your air pump. You will hear the drone from the pump and the thudding sound in the cylinder heads and intake.

09-27-2012, 02:58 PM	#12
Tripintaz Scooby Specialist Member#: 245218 Join Date: Apr 2010 Chapter/Region: South East Location: FL Vehicle: 2013 STI Limited Ice Silver	air pump

09-27-2012, 10:23 PM	#13
gurusan Scooby Newbie Member#: 258165 Join Date: Sep 2010 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: PDX Vehicle: 2006 WRX Wagon WRB	It's the air pump!

09-27-2012, 11:39 PM	#14
bdearnley Scooby Newbie Member#: 36788 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Vehicle: 2012 WRX hatch	My air pump sound presents itself as a loud rattling sound coming from the exhaust after a cold start. Sounds really like a loose heatshield or something under the car or inside the muffler. Stops when the air pump turns off after a minute or so, or if I blip the throttle a bit to rev the engine gently. I have a 3" exhaust with the stock muffler (2012 hatch) so I'm hoping this is normal. Is this what others have heard when talking about the air pump noise?

09-28-2012, 12:27 AM	#15
luvless2620 Scooby Specialist Member#: 190566 Join Date: Sep 2008	Not sure if it was mentioned yet but "air pump".

09-28-2012, 02:37 AM	#16
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	Something that might pump air?

09-28-2012, 02:43 AM	#17
DHRDAN Scooby Specialist Member#: 204358 Join Date: Feb 2009 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Santa Paula, CA. Vehicle: 01 2.5RS W/ EJ257 Black	To all the morons who posted "it's your fuel pump"... you kids are buckets of stupid. plz stop posting.

09-28-2012, 11:27 PM	#20
Dirtrace95 Scooby Newbie Member#: 231315 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Oregon Vehicle: 06 WRX Wgn Black	LOL :-) My air pump sounds like shictz

09-30-2012, 10:07 AM	#23
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	Warm = closed. CEL codes will have to be erased by a tweak of your ECU. No side effects to performance/mpg/etc, your cats will just be inefficient on start-up which is a moot point if you are now running with a catless DP. Read the Air Pump Delete thread(s)