2000 Outback "loud" following LOF

M

Mike Hardiman

I recently took my 2000 Outback in for an oil and air filter change. After
getting it back, I noticed that the engine was quite a bit louder- but only
when "flooring" the engine while in gear (4th gear?). Once the engine
shifts back down (cruising), it sounds fine. The noise is basically just a
very low (as in bass) "loudness" either from the engine or the exhaust
system.

When I took the car back to the mechanic, he explained that it was probably
the new air filter, since the old was was well clogged up with dirt (not
surprising given the climate here in El Paso) and now with the clean one, I
was getting increased airflow. I accepted this reasoning at the time, but
am questioning it again.

I've also noticed quite a bit more dust than usual is making its way into
the cabin from the fan/heater...

Could this condition possibly result from a *missing* air filter, or perhaps
the wrong sized air filter, or as the mechanic suggested, it is just normal?

Note that the engine does not make the noise when being "floored" in
neutral.

Any thoughts on what this could be, and perhaps what I should do next? I'd
hate to bring it to a mechanic if it is something completely benign.

Thanks.
-Mike
 
Was this at a Subaru dealership? Your regular mechanic?
Occasionally folks, even mechanics, make mistakes when it come to all
the fluids in a Subaru. I would definitely double check ALL fluid levels
in case he removed fluid from the diff or something. Also, it is
possible the replacement filter either doesn't fit well, or is a brand
that has a different pleat #/config. Other things could've happened when
it was up on the lift, maybe an exhaust connection is leaking.
Once you 'get his attention' he'll probably find something.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan
 
"Mike Hardiman" said:
I recently took my 2000 Outback in for an oil and air filter change. After
getting it back, I noticed that the engine was quite a bit louder- but only
when "flooring" the engine while in gear (4th gear?). Once the engine
shifts back down (cruising), it sounds fine. The noise is basically just a
very low (as in bass) "loudness" either from the engine or the exhaust
system.

It sounds to me like the box that holds the air filter was not closed
properly. Assuming it's the same as the one on my 01 Impreza, you have to
make sure the bottom is latched before you close the clamps on the top.
Usually the only way to get it right is to take out one of the bolts that
secures the box.
 
Finally, something I can probably help with.

Sounds EXACTLY like the sound I had when I replaced my air filter.
Ultimately the problem was that the air filter box was not put back in
properly - and it's a bit trickier than you might think. I'm not surprised
that a mechanic might get it wrong (although someone who knows Subaru's
probably shouldn't)

The problem - I bet that the 'lower' wedges on the filter box are not
clipped on. When this happens the box vibrates at high revs, making a very
low sub-woofing sound.

Here's a full description of my problem:
http://www.subaruforester.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256&highlight=air+filter
 
Wow, this sounds like it could be it. Another way to describe the noise is
it sounds like I have a "performance" muffler on tha car.

I'll check this out tomorrow morning once it is light outside.

Thanks,
-Mike


SpurryMoses said:
Finally, something I can probably help with.

Sounds EXACTLY like the sound I had when I replaced my air filter.
Ultimately the problem was that the air filter box was not put back in
properly - and it's a bit trickier than you might think. I'm not surprised
that a mechanic might get it wrong (although someone who knows Subaru's
probably shouldn't)

The problem - I bet that the 'lower' wedges on the filter box are not
clipped on. When this happens the box vibrates at high revs, making a very
low sub-woofing sound.

Here's a full description of my problem:
http://www.subaruforester.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256&highlight=air+filter
 
Sure enough, that was exactly the problem. I had to completely remove the
air filter housing in order to get the two pieces to clip together. The air
filter's rubber frame was about 1mm too wide, so when you stuck the wedges
on the bottom into the slots, it wouldn't seal at the top (the rubber would
bulge out)... After taking the whole thing out, I was able to use my
fingers to squeeze the rubber frame back in and finally get the thing to
close together.

Now... the car sounds absolutely fine! What a difference!! From now on,
I'll be changing my own air filter!

Thanks for the help!
-Mike


SpurryMoses said:
Finally, something I can probably help with.

Sounds EXACTLY like the sound I had when I replaced my air filter.
Ultimately the problem was that the air filter box was not put back in
properly - and it's a bit trickier than you might think. I'm not surprised
that a mechanic might get it wrong (although someone who knows Subaru's
probably shouldn't)

The problem - I bet that the 'lower' wedges on the filter box are not
clipped on. When this happens the box vibrates at high revs, making a very
low sub-woofing sound.

Here's a full description of my problem:
http://www.subaruforester.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256&highlight=air+filter
 
Now you should go back to the original mechanic, when his service counter or
waiting room is full, and give him some grief.
..
Doing it wrong the first place is dumb, but perhaps excusable. When a
customer has to bring a car back, and THEN the "pro" mechanic doesn't find
something as obvious as this, strong negative feedback (at best) is
appropriate.

No first-rate mechanic I've dealt with could miss something like this when they
restart the engine after the filter is changed. They would be VERY concerned
about a customer having to return because of a perceived problem. Even if some
distraction allowed the car to go out wrong, it should have been fixed on your
first return.

Give the mechanic some polite negative feedback and their response will let you
know if this was an isolated instance or proof of fast-buck attitudes.
 
A mechanics' helper should not be that dumb and the service writer/manager
should have rechecked the returned car before letting it back out. I very
much like the idea of giving some strong neg feedback if you can get another
dealer. HaHa eddie
 
Well, it wasn't a Subaru dealer, and Subarus, frankly aren't a very popular
car in this town. The mechanic was a Firestone place, and I had a coupon
for a $15.00 oil change.

This whole thing has me wondering if I should trust the place even with the
oil change, but it is a good price. (Perhaps you get what you pay for
though!)

Midas is reasonably priced as well, but everywhere else seems to think an
oil change is worth $40. (US dollars, that it).

The air filter, however, will be changed only by me from now on, and I'll be
sure to forbid any mechanic from opening that case up to check it out!

-Mike
 
I had the same sound problem after changing the air filter about 6 weeks
ago. Checked and reinstalled the air filter yesterday, under your
guidelines, and now problem solved.

Thanks for the info.....bg
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
13,856
Messages
67,266
Members
7,327
Latest member
daver4716

Latest Threads

Back
Top