Engine noise when cold

[clan2_uk]

When I start my WRX engine from cold it has now started to sound like an old tappety ford engine (not quite as bad). The oil level is fine and the noise disappears after about ten minutes, the oil I use is the dealer supplied 10W 40 semi synthetic. Is this anything to worry about, it has covered 17 K miles and is still under warranty.

[wrxmania]

Time to get it to the dealer Stephen, but you may need to leave it in overnight for them to check it when fully cold.

Good luck!

Brian

[clan2_uk]

Do you think so ? Its been bugging me lately, I thought it was just me being paranoid but there is definately a noise until it is well warmed up. I will add that it has always been driven carefully when the engine was cold.

[dougster]

Piston slap??

A common problem on some of the classics but never heard of it on a newage.

I have piston slap soundfiles if you want to hear them?

[pedals]

Taken from the FAQ section of the website, may be of some use?:

3.14 Piston Slap

It seems a small percentage of the MY98 cars have had problems with Piston Slap after a period of 10,000 to 20,000 miles has been covered. This manifests itself as a knocking noise which is much more pronounced when the engine is cold. This should not be confused with a ticking/tappet type noise which is common on all Impreza engines , but a distinct knocking noise which is most noticed between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm. In the UK, Subaru have been resolving the problems by fitting an a completely new short engine (block, crank, pistons) , and this cures the problem completely. Some cars are apparently much worse than others, with very lightly driven cars being just as susceptible as those driven hard! All Subaru dealers should be aware of this problem, and offer to resolve (free of charge under warranty) if the problem exists. If your dealer denies all knowledge, then go to another dealer who may be more sympathetic to your cause. The work takes between 2 to 3 days to perform, and as well as running it in again, you most get your ownership document(s) updated with the new engine number. If the problem occurs on a normally aspirated engine, then a simple piston replacement can be used, instead of a whole new block.

[clan2_uk]

"This should not be confused with a ticking/tappet type noise which is common on all Impreza engines , "

Thats what it sounds like to me, but I am no expert. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced this with a new age.

[ANDYJDMSTI]

i thot i had the same problem too but then got it pointed out that it would be the larger injectors i had fitted

[simboy]

Afternoon, i bought my classic turbo from a local dealer a couple of months ago with a full Approved Subaru warranty and not a dealer one, well i took mine back to complain about Piston Slap with the hope that they'd maybe help me out and fix it under warranty.. No No No.. They told me it was the usual for a Scooby to have P.slap and that after 10/mins ro so it goes away, which it does, but why would you want a nice shiny Scooby with a knocking engine.. Before you say, you should have heard it on test drive, the car was warm... as soon as i drove it i signed for it. But apart from that the car is spot on.. Well maybe the fuel consumption could be better..

[=Robbo=]

Tell you what folks, the only reason I can think of to justify having built in cold piston slap, is really sh*it tolerance in the manufacturing of either the cylinder bore liners or the pistons themselves?

I could well be wrong.

Robbo.

[clan2_uk]

I spoke to the dealer this morning, they think it might be the hydraulic tappets sticking maybe caused by short journeys and low mileage. They have suggested that I leave it with them overnight and it may be a case of using an engine flush to sort it out. What do you think ? It was serviced in April about 4K miles ago.

[Iaing]

Im pretty sure its just the tappets, mine sometimes does it too from cold.

Iain

[imprezapete]

Mine does sound a bit tappety at the start in the morning. but it sounds a bit like that some times anyway but not a very noisey level like a ford.

My Engine does tend to sit about 1.3-1.6k rpm until I give the throttle a blip or 2 in the morning. Then engine settles into its normal 1k rpm tick over.

Just sounds like its nothing out the ordinary unless its very loud?

Cant say my cars tappety sound sounds any different to other wrx cars I have heard at meets or get togethers.

But its always safer than sorry in the end, hope its all ok m8