I've got a 2005 rex wagon with a Cobb turboback exhaust and some form of reflashed ecu (done by previous owner). Car has been inspected previously without discovering anything out of the ordinary other than the fact that the previous owner had, at one time, installed a blow-off valve, but later took it off. Anyway, car runs just fine, boost peaks around where 16psi should be on the stock boost gauge, and there's never been any check engine lights. However, the engine just doesn't sound right to me. This is the first Subaru I've owned, so I'm not accustomed to all the quirky sounds they make. The most prominent one that bugs me is this metallic-y sound that I really only hear at low/just-above-idle RPMs. Tried to duplicate it in the second video but you can't really hear it that well. Otherwise, there's a sound coming from the passenger's side that you can hear in the first video. My first thought is an exhaust leak or something of the sort, but I'm no expert. Any feedback is appreciated!
i found this, it doesn't clearly show what the motor itself sounds like. but maybe its worth taking a peek at?? i know little to nothing about the new subaru's, so for all i know it may be normal. but i know on mine (95) if i run lower octane below 91 it makes that noise your motor does.
lol I've actually watched that video a couple times before. Not sure if it sounds exactly like mine, and mine doesn't go away after it's been warmed up, pretty much stays the same, maybe more pronounced when cold but that's it. I've never abused it when cold, always let it warm up for a while before playing around. Also, it's made that sound ever since I got it about a year ago, and hasn't changed really.
but it goes away once you start to drive correct? and have you stumbled upon the one with rod knock? its a blue wrx/sti that sounds horrid, at least it doesn't make THAT noise.
Yeah once I'm going I don't hear the metallic sound that bugs me (almost sounds like something rattling, but idk...), but I can hear what sounds to me like an exhaust leak from the front passenger's side when I'm driving/accelerating. It's not a harsh sound like rod knock or piston slap or anything, just doesn't...sound good. I wish I had someone near where I live that could listen to it for me. I've had it at the Subaru dealership for numerous things (oil changes mostly, but I did change the rear diff there and had it inspected after I bought it) and they've never said anything about it, so who knows.
Maybe try recording the sound with something that isn't a phone. The clacking sounds like typical Subaru valvetrain noise. What oil are you running?
Yeah, forgot to mention...sorry about crap audio quality. Thought maybe it'd turn out better. I've been using the standard 5w-30 syn that they recommend at the dealer since they've been doing the oil changes.
I guess I'd really just want to hear it either in person or with a better microphone. Subaru engines aren't known for being quiet.
No new updates on my car, but I found this video which pretty much exactly shows the sound I've been trying to figure out, this metallic-like ticking sound at low-RPM/first gear driving. I guess the gasket on his up-pipe was blown, he fixed it and now it's fine. Perhaps this would also account for my louder-than-normal engine sound on the passenger's side in the front? How difficult would it be to check this on my car? Or should I just take it to a shop and have them check it out? If I wasn't a full time student/employee I'd just dig in right now, buuut yeah. Thanks!
Same thing happened to me. Really quite easy. Jack it up, put it on jack stands, take the tray off, start it up and crawl under. You will hear and feel it if it is that. It is a just a couple bolts. Slide it out and put a new one in. I got a picture somewhere of the gasket.
