04 WRX pinging

[Mike M. Miskulin]

Hi,

Any other 04 owners experience engine pinging on startup? It does
eventually stop after 10 minutes or so of driving, but I'm not sure
this is normal as I've come from the V-8 world. I only put Mobil or
Exxon super in.

mm

 

[Tony Burns]

ummmm.


More details please.

What model?

What size engine?

What country are you in?

 

[Dundo]

If you are thinking of 'rattling' or 'knocking' engine sound, that
happens to me on cold (it doesn't have to be really cold!) mornings.
Sounds like a diesel engine. I drive '02 WRX wagon. 22000 miles. Can't
find a proper explanation except oil characteristics on low temperatures.
It started to happen at some 12000 miles. I try to keep engine running
idle for approx. 3-5 minutes to warm it up a little bit but it doesn't
seem to help. The sound dissapears after some 2-3 miles of driving.
Services are done by certified Subaru dealer service with oil change on
every 3500 miles.

 

[John Coyote]

Hi,

Any other 04 owners experience engine pinging on startup? It does
eventually stop after 10 minutes or so of driving, but I'm not sure
this is normal as I've come from the V-8 world. I only put Mobil or
Exxon super in.

mm

I have an 04 STi that does not knock when started cold.
It has only been down in the mid 40s here so far and
I let it idle for 90 seconds before driving. It will knock
a little if I accidentally shift from 2nd to 5th instead of 3rd.

Under no circumstances should it knock at idle.
If it were mine, I would have it spend the night at a dealer
immediately.

 

[Mike M. Miskulin]

While pondering the Universe, (e-mail address removed) (John Coyote) wrote

Under no circumstances should it knock at idle.
If it were mine, I would have it spend the night at a dealer
immediately.

This is in regards an 04 wrx wagon in the states.

And in retrospect, pinging might be the wrong word, it sounds
more like valve tapping, and only does this as I said the
first 10 minutes and is only really audible at idle and low
speeds. I suppose I could start the car and idle it and time
how long it takes to go away to be more exact.

But its most definitely not engine knock or run-on. I found
one item on google that suggests checking the plugs are
properly connected, but this is a 6 week old car.

 

[Jon]

It could just be the boxer engine rumble.

Is this your first flat engine car?

 

[Ken Gilbert]

While pondering the Universe, (e-mail address removed) (John Coyote) wrote


This is in regards an 04 wrx wagon in the states.

And in retrospect, pinging might be the wrong word, it sounds
more like valve tapping, and only does this as I said the
first 10 minutes and is only really audible at idle and low
speeds. I suppose I could start the car and idle it and time
how long it takes to go away to be more exact.

But its most definitely not engine knock or run-on. I found
one item on google that suggests checking the plugs are
properly connected, but this is a 6 week old car.

it's probably piston slap.

very common complaint re: the boxer engine.

ken

 

[Edward Hayes]

Timing belt tensioners cause this type of noise. eddie

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I'm not sure the tensioner OR the piston slap is as prevalent in the WRX
as the 2.5l . I'd try to confrim that by searching/asking at
www.nasioc.com or usmb.net . Woldn't want to dismiss it if it's
something that needs attention.(the slap probably not, the tensioner
yes. The slap will usually decrease as engine approaches operating temp.
some tensioners do , others are reported to be noisy all the time.)


Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Melvin]

I'm not sure the tensioner OR the piston slap is as prevalent in the WRX
as the 2.5l . I'd try to confrim that by searching/asking at
www.nasioc.com or usmb.net . Woldn't want to dismiss it if it's
something that needs attention.(the slap probably not, the tensioner
yes. The slap will usually decrease as engine approaches operating temp.
some tensioners do , others are reported to be noisy all the time.)


Carl
1 Lucky Texan

I have a 2003 Outback 4 cyl with 10000 miles and also hear a pinging
type noise from the motor between 20 and 30 miles when you start up,
Have tried hi grade gas and did not see a difference, I am planing on
changing to Bosh Plugs,
maybe this will resolve the issue.

 

[Mike M. Miskulin]

While pondering the Universe, (e-mail address removed) (Melvin) wrote

I have a 2003 Outback 4 cyl with 10000 miles and also hear a pinging
type noise from the motor between 20 and 30 miles when you start up,
Have tried hi grade gas and did not see a difference, I am planing on
changing to Bosh Plugs,
maybe this will resolve the issue.

I'm just wondering if its just the way these engines are.. yours is
like mine in that its fine after a short while, just a bit
disconcerting as I've never had a car do this before. Then again,
I've only driven v-8s.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Could be piston slap - well known but this is about the newest engine
I've heard of this occuring in. Good news is it won't affect the
lifespan of the motor. On the forums at www.usmb.net there are folks
with over 250K that had it the whole time.

However, I'd be concerned you have a bad knock sensor. It tells the
engine how far to move the timing before detonation is detected. Try to
buy gas at the same location every time you fill up and disconnect the
negative terminal of the battery, wait 15 minutes, hit the brake pedal a
couple of times(or wait for an hour) to clear the ECU. Then it should
learn the same octane gas and maybe not be confused.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Mike B.]

PISTION SLAP... if it is not noisy... Normal engine "slap" If under warranty
have dealer check it for free. Could be timing chain tensioner (replaced free
under power train warranty)
Want to head mine.. www.butkus.org look for subaru piston slap. Save file to
HD then run the file.

 

[Mike B.]

It won't help. Actually I had 4 new pistons to get rid of the "slap" and they
changed to "stardard" plugs after replacing pistions via SOA requirements.
I was charged $30 labor in install spark plugs when the engine was
already disassembled ? ? ? They also changed the timing belt tensioner first
to remove the start-up noise (mine was bad). Got them to replace the three
belts (timing and 2 drive belts) for just the $86.

 

[Mike B.]

Piston slap is a big problem in the auto industry. Check out "piston slap" and
you'll find GM has a big problem and the customers are really upset.

 

[Mike B.]

Never thought of the "piston slap" affecting the "knock sensor"... humm that
could affect the sensor and retard your spark. Worse gas mileage.
Pulling the fuse would be better than the battery. All your radio stations
would go too if you pull the battery.

 

[Mike M. Miskulin]

With all the comments about piston slap, tensioners, knock sensors..

wouldn't these kind of problems be reflected all the time the car is
running, not just going from cold to warm?

mike

 

[Jim Stewart]

With all the comments about piston slap, tensioners, knock sensors..

wouldn't these kind of problems be reflected all the time the car is
running, not just going from cold to warm?

Mild valve tap while cold is common, if not universal in
these boxer engines. As the engine warms up, the metal
expands and tightens up clearances and the tap goes away.

I have no idea how the other problems would go away at
temperature.

 

[Mike M. Miskulin]

While pondering the Universe, (e-mail address removed) (Jim Stewart) wrote

Mild valve tap while cold is common, if not universal in
these boxer engines. As the engine warms up, the metal
expands and tightens up clearances and the tap goes away.

I have no idea how the other problems would go away at
temperature.

So it sounds like I really shouldn't be too concerned unless I start
hearing it when the engine is warm too.

mike

 

[Jim Stewart]

While pondering the Universe, (e-mail address removed) (Jim Stewart) wrote




So it sounds like I really shouldn't be too concerned unless I start
hearing it when the engine is warm too.

I think that's safe to assume. Try using Mobil1 10w30
next oil change to minimize it.