Serious WRX Engine Question. PLEASE HELP!!!

[iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU]

Today I went and looked at a MY02 WRX I'm looking to buy. First off I went to the place where the WRX actually was, an auto shop. It was being worked on because it had a slight knocking noise in the engine. It was really bad when engine was cold. It was located towards the lower part of the engine (pics included). But whenever it would get warm the knocking/clinking would go away. You could barely hear it. The oil pressure was fine, it drove fine (I have owned one before). Shifted perfect and smooth.

It hasn't been on the actual car lot because of this knocking or whatever. Which to mean was very, very hard to actually even hear. I've had two mechanics say something about the rods/pistons/bearings or whatnot. I'm not really a mechanic so I'm here looking for some help on whether or not it would be worth purchasing. The salesman and I got in to a yelling fight because he thought I was just there looking for some fun. Then I left and I actually called him back to tell him he was rude to me to which he actually hung up on me.

Finally I told him there is no way in hell anyone was going to pay 12k for that car. But if somebody can tell me where should I start looking to figure out if it is worth the buy (I convinced him to drop it down to 9k or lower because I told him that the bottom end of the engine was going to go boom soon. Not that I really know though, I was just looking for a deal).

So, what should I look for as signs as to what can be wrong. I'm postinp up pics and pointing out where the slight knocking is coming from. Any help is greatly appreciate it. If you want to talk to me directly, PM me and I'll give my phone number. I really need help. I think I can get a good deal from this.

I made a pink circle around the area with the most knocking sound. There is NO WAY you can hear it from the inside. I wouldn't even call it knocking. But idk. I hope for some help here guys. Thanks so much.

Here is VIN if somebody wants to check it out.
jf1gd29682g507251

C/N: Fought with car dealer, nobody and their mom knows what is wrong with this car. PM and I'll give you my phone number if you really think you can help me.

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[rkramer]

what year? looks like maybe 02?

subaru engines are just plain noisy, without an audio clip, it is impossible to say. it could be injector noise, piston slap (relatively common), rod knock, idler pulley, or a bearing gone/going out. (so the range is from harmless to catastrophic) also might depend on what oil is in it. some suby engines are very loud on 5-30.

[flukewrx]

Hmmm...In the first pic, why is there corrosion/rust on the Battery Tie down? Also in the last picture, what is the white stuff that is all over the Intake Plenum (or at least I believe that is what that is)?

[flukewrx]

Hmmm....why is there rust/corrosion on the battery tie down in the first picture? Also, what is that white stuff that looks to be all over the Intake Plenum in the last picture?

[iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU]

Originally Posted by rkramer

what year? looks like maybe 02?

subaru engines are just plain noisy, without an audio clip, it is impossible to say. it could be injector noise, piston slap (relatively common), rod knock, idler pulley, or a bearing gone/going out. (so the range is from harmless to catastrophic) also might depend on what oil is in it. some suby engines are very loud on 5-30.

Is it expensive to fix the bearing going out? Or a rod knocking? Is that expensive? I'll put up more pics of the engine bay. I just need to know if something is really wrong with this car. If it's not, then I'm going to basically be able to steal this car from him because he doesn't have any idea what is wrong. When I drove it (I've driven lot's of WRX's and it sounded find, gears were smooth. Not abnormal noise. He says when it's cold it makes this LITTLE knocking noise. As for the corrosion, I don't know. Is that serious? I'm almost thinking I can get this car for 8.5k-ish if I can tell him that it's just screwed unless I rebuild the motor. Which I DON'T want to do. His mechanic doesn't even know what is wrong. I just don't want to end up getting it and then it dying a month afterwards. If it's something that can easily be fixed, I'm going to take this guy to town. So, any more advice is very, very welcome. I'll post more pics.

[iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU]

Originally Posted by rkramer

what year? looks like maybe 02?

subaru engines are just plain noisy, without an audio clip, it is impossible to say. it could be injector noise, piston slap (relatively common), rod knock, idler pulley, or a bearing gone/going out. (so the range is from harmless to catastrophic) also might depend on what oil is in it. some suby engines are very loud on 5-30.

Which of those possibilities would cast the most to repair btw?

[Smoby]

I have heard of the tensioner for the timing belt makes this noise

[Steve455]

if it was a rod the noise wouldnt go away when it warmed up,it would get louder as you gave it more gas.

[iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU]

When it's cold it does the ticking/knocking. However when it warms up it's fine. That's what the mechanic said it does. He has spent some time messing with it but he's not really sure what the hell it is. So, I'm guessing it MIGHT not be a rod problem?

[Steve455]

sounds like it could be a lifter,not sure if they are hydraulic or solid on this motor.

[seanski06]

im guessing ilder or another timing belt pully

[nick04263]

What is sounds like to me is a car that could be a BIG headache in the near future.

[Steve455]

dont pay more than $6000 for the car.

[nick04263]

Originally Posted by Steve455

dont pay more than $6000 for the car.

Yeah, I have to agree, You don't want to pay much for this car because everyone is best guessing what the problem may be but you could end up dumping a few thousand into it fixing this and replacing that until you get the car to sound right. Even then, your motor could go BOOM one day.

[JeffrWRX]

run away

[djerickd]

leave it alone, the salesman ruined it for me...

[Magnum626]

Just walk away from it man. The fact that there may be even some form of problem you're looking at a new block if not worse. Calculate that into the price.

I don't know if I'd even wanna pay 6k for the car.

[Fused]

pfft, if its the noise i beleive it is, its piston slap, and is harmless, most JDM engines do it as they get older, especially if they've lived outside for a while. I'd not worry too much, unless USDM engines are soooo much more rubbish than JDM, its nothing to be concerned about, use it to your advantage, but subie engines are normally noisy...

[iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU]

Thanks guys. I knew ya'll would help me out. I was going to trade in my perfectly working 2002 Civic SI for this, now I'm going to the back tomorrow to look into loans for a used 2002/2003 Yamaha R6.

[dug-e-fresh]

Originally Posted by Steve455

if it was a rod the noise wouldnt go away when it warmed up,it would get louder as you gave it more gas.

Not true.

def

[dug-e-fresh]

Originally Posted by iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU

Which of those possibilities would cast the most to repair btw?

Rod knock IS a bearing going out and WILL be a costly repair. It qould be cheaper to find a used shortblock and swap it in over rebuilding the one thats in there.

I light rod knock can/will occur when cold and virtually be unheard when warm... but the damage is there and will propogate. It just wont go away. It is a ticking time bomb. It could run 500 or 5000 miles. It depends how often you change the oil and how aggressive of a driver you are.

Severe rod knock is one that you hear when cold or hot and will get louder as you rev the motor... at this point failure is eminent. A car with severe rod knock is one that will leave you stranded... and it will be a catastrophic failure. Do not drive it.

I'd steer clear of this car unless you get a REALLY good deal or have some serious plans for it... ie- builtmotor or whatever... but even still, you don't want to pay that much.

Good luck!

def

[dug-e-fresh]

Originally Posted by iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU

Thanks guys. I knew ya'll would help me out. I was going to trade in my perfectly working 2002 Civic SI for this, now I'm going to the back tomorrow to look into loans for a used 2002/2003 Yamaha R6.

NOOOO!! Don't do it!! Bikes are death!



Seriously, I would kill myself on one... but to each their own.

def

[Steve455]

get the R1,you will be wanting a bigger bike in 2 weeks.

[iKILLEDmy1stSUBARU]

Originally Posted by Steve455

get the R1,you will be wanting a bigger bike in 2 weeks.

I know better than to get an R1. It's a bit much for me. I would love it though. And I would kill myself on it

[Mayor McCheese]

Whats with the copper tubing running to the bottom of the coolant tank?