Paranoid new owner with idle question.

naib · 07-16-2005, 02:39 PM

I've had my '05 WRX sedan for 3 days. It had about 300 miles on it when I drove it off the lot.

My question is this:
When idling there is a subtle shake to the car. I can only feel it in my seat.
It's so subtle, in fact, that I feel dumb asking. Otherwise it is almost completely silent in the cabin.

They filled the tank for me before I left the lot. Could this be symptomatic of low octane fuel? I'm about to fill her up for the first time and I'm going to try the higher octane. Just wanted to ping out. See if anyone had other ideas.

Thanks in advance.

<--Noobaru

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

Uncle Scotty · 07-16-2005, 02:44 PM

...normal.....the subie 'shake'.....kind of a random 'wiggle' every 3-5 seconds or so....right???

They all do it

naib · 07-16-2005, 02:46 PM

Maybe I was too quick to post.

Just read the part of Unabombers faq about the engine type.

"It has been described as like a VW, diesel engine, ticking, or knocking sound at speed and especially at idle"

I guess I just want someone to tell me there's nothing wrong with my brand new car.

Edit:
Thanks Scotty!
You've eased my fears.

VSG · 07-16-2005, 03:57 PM

Yup, typical of a boxer engine. When you turn off the car, you may notice that it shakes side to side instead of up & down.

Also, after you get used to the subie, driving an I-4 feels wierd

(w/ regard to idle & vibrations)

WRXFan420 · 07-16-2005, 04:27 PM

Do the Scoobymods grounding Mod or buy a cheapo grounding kit on Ebay for around $30. It smoothed out my idle on my 05 and is smooth as silk now, even with the AC on.

The DIY is here:http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...=Grounding+Mod

The Ebay kit:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...973797303&rd=1

UltimateLurker · 07-16-2005, 05:55 PM

Normal, but I don't have it. What you'll really notice in the coming days and weeks are all the peaks and valleys in the powerband, and only Engine Management can fully cure that.

Cobb Tuning AccessPort <---best $605 I ever spent on any mod for any car I've ever owned.

Chris Cuevas · 07-16-2005, 06:19 PM

Mine does it !!!
Every 3.5 seconds !!!
It weirded me out too !!!
BUt she is good !!!

2w0r0x4 · 07-16-2005, 11:30 PM

Mine has always done it. I think it adds character to the car...that being said i'm still going to do the grounding mod.

naib · 07-17-2005, 11:09 AM

Thanks for all the feedback folks.

It's too early for me to think about any mods, but thanks for the suggestions. I may look into them in the future.

This is a big change for me. My last car was a '92 Civic 3dr.
I haven't looked back.

scooby888 · 07-17-2005, 09:05 PM

I drove a 93 Civic coupe before the WRX and had that funny feeling at the beginning as well...thought I was doing something wrong with the clutch...

animes2k · 07-17-2005, 11:09 PM

I just noticed this shake tonight and was curious. Then I come across this. Good stuff, thanks

Now if I'd just break myself of trying to press the left air vent to start the car...

Scooby921 · 07-18-2005, 01:07 PM

As your A/C compressor turns on and off (clutch on its pulley) the engine idle will change.

As the engine RPM's change the engine vibrations change. The subaru engine mounts are standard conventional mounts (piece of rubber between two metals). This type of mount is basically tuned to isolate 1 particular frequency. When you change idle this frequency changes. The engine will vibrate/shake more as you move away from where the engine mount it tuned.

As you go higher in RPM's the amplitude of the vibration is less, so you don't usually feel as much. For example: idle = 12-18 Hz w/ amplitude of 0.25-0.5 mm. 3000 RPM = 140 Hz w/ amplitude of 0.01-0.1 mm.

Don't worry...your car isn't broken. That is just the way it was designed. Save money and use cheap mounts = more vibrations or larger amplitudes.

burrito007 · 07-18-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naib

I've had my '05 WRX sedan for 3 days. It had about 300 miles on it when I drove it off the lot.

My question is this:
When idling there is a subtle shake to the car. I can only feel it in my seat.
It's so subtle, in fact, that I feel dumb asking. Otherwise it is almost completely silent in the cabin.

They filled the tank for me before I left the lot. Could this be symptomatic of low octane fuel? I'm about to fill her up for the first time and I'm going to try the higher octane. Just wanted to ping out. See if anyone had other ideas.

Thanks in advance.

<--Noobaru

its called a subaru ... deal with it

no seriosuly they all do this i think its the boxer shaking back and forth slowly because the pistons are... well.. "boxing"

07-16-2005, 02:39 PM	#1
naib Scooby Newbie Member#: 90911 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2005 WRX Sedan	Paranoid new owner with idle question. I've had my '05 WRX sedan for 3 days. It had about 300 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. My question is this: When idling there is a subtle shake to the car. I can only feel it in my seat. It's so subtle, in fact, that I feel dumb asking. Otherwise it is almost completely silent in the cabin. They filled the tank for me before I left the lot. Could this be symptomatic of low octane fuel? I'm about to fill her up for the first time and I'm going to try the higher octane. Just wanted to ping out. See if anyone had other ideas. Thanks in advance. <--Noobaru * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-16-2005, 02:44 PM	#2
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	...normal.....the subie 'shake'.....kind of a random 'wiggle' every 3-5 seconds or so....right??? They all do it

07-16-2005, 02:46 PM	#3
naib Scooby Newbie Member#: 90911 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2005 WRX Sedan	Maybe I was too quick to post. Just read the part of Unabombers faq about the engine type. "It has been described as like a VW, diesel engine, ticking, or knocking sound at speed and especially at idle" I guess I just want someone to tell me there's nothing wrong with my brand new car. Edit: Thanks Scotty! You've eased my fears.

07-16-2005, 03:57 PM	#4
VSG Scooby Specialist Member#: 19435 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC	Yup, typical of a boxer engine. When you turn off the car, you may notice that it shakes side to side instead of up & down. Also, after you get used to the subie, driving an I-4 feels wierd (w/ regard to idle & vibrations)

07-16-2005, 04:27 PM	#5
WRXFan420 Scooby Newbie Member#: 72643 Join Date: Oct 2004 Vehicle: 2005 Impreza WRX WR Blue Pearl	Do the Scoobymods grounding Mod or buy a cheapo grounding kit on Ebay for around $30. It smoothed out my idle on my 05 and is smooth as silk now, even with the AC on. The DIY is here:http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...=Grounding+Mod The Ebay kit:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...973797303&rd=1

07-16-2005, 05:55 PM	#6
UltimateLurker Scooby Guru Member#: 82488 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Missouri Vehicle: 06 Lotus Exige Storm Titanium	Normal, but I don't have it. What you'll really notice in the coming days and weeks are all the peaks and valleys in the powerband, and only Engine Management can fully cure that. Cobb Tuning AccessPort <---best $605 I ever spent on any mod for any car I've ever owned.

07-16-2005, 06:19 PM	#7
Chris Cuevas Scooby Specialist Member#: 75547 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX P&P'd VF39+NOS+SRP= PWND!	Mine does it !!! Every 3.5 seconds !!! It weirded me out too !!! BUt she is good !!!

07-16-2005, 11:30 PM	#8
2w0r0x4 Scooby Newbie Member#: 56759 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: CT Vehicle: 2004 WRX WR Blue	Mine has always done it. I think it adds character to the car...that being said i'm still going to do the grounding mod.

07-17-2005, 11:09 AM	#9
naib Scooby Newbie Member#: 90911 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2005 WRX Sedan	Thanks for all the feedback folks. It's too early for me to think about any mods, but thanks for the suggestions. I may look into them in the future. This is a big change for me. My last car was a '92 Civic 3dr. I haven't looked back.

07-17-2005, 09:05 PM	#10
scooby888 Scooby Specialist Member#: 64226 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX World Rally Blue	I drove a 93 Civic coupe before the WRX and had that funny feeling at the beginning as well...thought I was doing something wrong with the clutch...

07-17-2005, 11:09 PM	#11
animes2k Scooby Newbie Member#: 91141 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: OCD Detailing Land Vehicle: 2005 WRX Wagon WRB 2000 S2000 Silverstone	I just noticed this shake tonight and was curious. Then I come across this. Good stuff, thanks Now if I'd just break myself of trying to press the left air vent to start the car...

07-18-2005, 01:07 PM	#12
Scooby921 Thanks Sir Alex! Moderator Member#: 88606 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Clarkston Vehicle: 2011 GMC Sierra 1990 Miata	As your A/C compressor turns on and off (clutch on its pulley) the engine idle will change. As the engine RPM's change the engine vibrations change. The subaru engine mounts are standard conventional mounts (piece of rubber between two metals). This type of mount is basically tuned to isolate 1 particular frequency. When you change idle this frequency changes. The engine will vibrate/shake more as you move away from where the engine mount it tuned. As you go higher in RPM's the amplitude of the vibration is less, so you don't usually feel as much. For example: idle = 12-18 Hz w/ amplitude of 0.25-0.5 mm. 3000 RPM = 140 Hz w/ amplitude of 0.01-0.1 mm. Don't worry...your car isn't broken. That is just the way it was designed. Save money and use cheap mounts = more vibrations or larger amplitudes.