Knock knock knock....

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by yarpirate, Jun 30, 2008.

  1. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    Sorry if this has been answered recently, but I couldn't see any similar threads or stickies.

    After parking my 05 STI at work today, I noticed that while idling I could hear a very faint knocking sound coming from the passenger side - I couldn't tell if it was in front of or behind the firewall, and I was in a rush (late) that I didn't check under the hood. I did notice that ANY amount of revving the engine above idle (even up to just 1k) would stop the knocking/rattling. I wasn't driving to work any harder than usual.

    It's not the "cooling down" pinging, and it's not a consistent knock (doesn't generate a beat you can dance to, heh); which is why I am curious as to what it might be. I'm accustomed to the normal engine sounds of my car, and this isn't one of them. I'm fairly new to owning a car with this engine - are there any quirks like this I should look out for? Any specific part of the engine I should take a look at before I drive it home?

    SHOULD I drive it home?

    Thanks for any info or advice you guys can give.
     
  2. Scuba Steve
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    Scuba Steve Well-Known Member

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    well, what does your oil look like? full/empty/new/black as mud?

    probably have someone that knows cars take a listen before you drive it around ...just my 2 cents
     
  3. yarpirate
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    The last time i filled up my oil was as about 2mm below full on the dipstick and a pretty clean... like almost poured clean. I've put 1200 or so miles on my last oil change.
     
  4. Scuba Steve
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    Scuba Steve Well-Known Member

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    nobody can really help you over the internet. However, I'd check the oil again and have someone look at it?

    how many miles? what's the history of the car?
     
  5. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    I suppose it can wait til I get home and have a close up look at it. it's got 65,500-some miles on it - i got it at a little under 64. The previous owner is an unknown, but the car doesn't burn or leak any oil that is visible on the dipstick or by exhaust smoke. The entire drivetrain is stock save for an aftermarket blowoff valve that the original owner put on.

    I was curious - I've only been able to find 92 octane in my area, and I know 93 is what the manual says to run. Could this be a factor at all? I know it's a long shot.
     
  6. wall of tvs
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    wall of tvs Well-Known Member

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    It's probably the wastegate. Is it more of a fluttering sound?
     
  7. retreif
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    retreif Well-Known Member

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    Boost Control Solenoid?
     
  8. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    Ehh, sort of. If it happens again after I get it home I'll try to record it.
     
  9. Scuba Steve
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    Scuba Steve Well-Known Member

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    wastegate opening & closing at idle. clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack
     
  10. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    Is that something to be concerned about? Sorry for the newbie question.
     
  11. tux121
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    tux121 Well-Known Member

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    Hmm this usually happens when I get paranoid about my car.
     
  12. scoobypwnz201
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    scoobypwnz201 Well-Known Member

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    the only knocking i hear is because the stupid catalytic converter heat shield half came off XD dudududududududududu ****in annoying when i accelerate somtimes...
     
  13. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    Yeah, I don't want anything to die on my current car - I don't like surprises. I have really good hearing, so it makes car ownership a tightrope walk between "ahhh this sounds beautiful" and "what was that clunk?" (And thus this thread.)


    @scoobypwnz201: I had a similar issue with my 93 legacy where something corroded inside the cat, broke off, and rattled around inside at 1.1k, 1.5k, and 2.5k revs.... 2.5k revs being about 2-lane highway cruising speeds. :mad: