High pitched whine in 2001 H6 OB

[Paul Chan]

I have a 2001 H6 VDC Outback, 75k miles on it. Bought it new off the
dealer lot so I know the full history of the car. No accidents, mods,
etc.

Over the last 3-4 months, I have been noticing a whine which seems to
come from forward of the passenger compartment. Been trying to narrow
down the cause of this but the best I have been able to do is
determine that it only comes on when the engine is under load/open
throttle. If I'm driving on the freeway, it comes and goes as I
press/release the accelerator. While on cruise control, it also comes
and goes when the car is trying to accelerate uphill, etc. Am certain
it does not correlate to engine speed. If I release the accelerator at
70mpg (and note that rpms stay high), the whine goes away immediately.

Took it to the dealer but they have been unable to trace it. They hear
the same during the roadtest but when they had it up on the rack and
doing 40-50mph, cannot find the noise.

My thoughts are that is has somehow to do with the fuel pump,
injectors, throttle and some bad grounding perhaps? Any other thoughts
or similar experiences?

Thanks!

 

[hippo]

Diff sounds like a possible starting point. Get them to test drive it while
you go along - or ride in while you drive it - then you can point out
exactly what you mean.

BTW - I assume you've left your mother in law at home on these occasions
... Cheers

 

[Skweezieweezie]

My 2002 H6 LLBean did the same thing you described
for the first 20K miles, and then stopped making the noise
all together. I do notice a bit of whine coming from my
power steering pump, but this is at low rpm.

 

[Alan]

I have a 2001 H6 VDC Outback, 75k miles on it. Bought it new off the
dealer lot so I know the full history of the car. No accidents, mods,
etc.

Over the last 3-4 months, I have been noticing a whine which seems to
come from forward of the passenger compartment. Been trying to narrow
down the cause of this but the best I have been able to do is
determine that it only comes on when the engine is under load/open
throttle. If I'm driving on the freeway, it comes and goes as I
press/release the accelerator. While on cruise control, it also comes
and goes when the car is trying to accelerate uphill, etc. Am certain
it does not correlate to engine speed. If I release the accelerator at
70mpg (and note that rpms stay high), the whine goes away immediately.

Took it to the dealer but they have been unable to trace it. They hear
the same during the roadtest but when they had it up on the rack and
doing 40-50mph, cannot find the noise.

My thoughts are that is has somehow to do with the fuel pump,
injectors, throttle and some bad grounding perhaps? Any other thoughts
or similar experiences?

Thanks!

I have on 04 OBW with the H6 3.0. I have the same problem, but have been
ignoring it. I have about 25K on the car. It is definitely related to
applying the accelerator- almost as if you are hearing the fuel pump or
injectors something. If you find out what it is, let me know- I'll do the
same.

 

[brusbrother]

I recently noticed the exact same symptoms on my 2000 legacy GT. So far no
solution and I've also posted on other sites. I'll email if possible to
keep the issue alive.

 

[brusbrother]

I posted elsewhere and one suggestion was the center diff and followed with
the suggestion that I just get used to it. I am still covered under a 100K
warranty and since it is a recent development I would like the dealer to
make it stop!

 

[k. ote.]

I posted elsewhere and one suggestion was the center diff and followed
with the suggestion that I just get used to it. I am still covered under a
100K warranty and since it is a recent development I would like the dealer
to make it stop!

Hey all. Since you haven't actually described the problem in any
significant detail, there seems to be a problem with the side-view mirrors
in most (if not all) of the Subarus that I've been in, where airflow
around the mirrors generates a horrible, heart-stopping whine at speed, or
if there's a crosswind with *just the right* speed or characteristics at
slower speeds.

I say heart-stopping because that kind of noise, heard for the first time
on a Subaru, is heart-stopping.

Try folding your mirrors in and seeing if this fixes the problem. If so,
you can rest a little easier, and work on finding a mod for your mirrors
that stops it. In the meanwhile I just fold my mirrors in when I need to
go fast(er).

The lowest speed mine've whined at is around 140kph in a stiff cross-wind
across the highway.

You know, I almost think it's a sneaky way Subaru cars were designed so
the dealer knows with good accuracy that the driver is taking the car up
to pseudo-legal speeds.

Good luck in any event!

 

[brusbrother]

I spoke to a friend who is a former master tech for SOA. While he has seen
a number of these issues with sound that indeed may be related to center
diff., it never proceeds to anything worse. If it is a minimal sound SOA
will do nothing. Nonetheless, get in on your service record if you are
still in a warranty period.
Have any of you changed the diff fluid? That gear oil smells nasty from
the start so I'm not sure how to tell when it goes "bad".
I wonder if that can really be the culprit since?

 

[hippo]

<<Hey all. Since you haven't actually described the problem in any
significant detail, there seems to be a problem with the side-view mirrors
in most (if not all) of the Subarus that I've been in, where airflow around
the mirrors generates a horrible, heart-stopping whine at speed, or if
there's a crosswind with *just the right* speed or characteristics at
slower speeds.>>

That would explain why it's not replicated on a hoist but *not* why it's
throttle and load sensitive on the road.

Reason I orignally suggested checking diff (particularly correct side
loadings BTW) is that it *will* be affected by load and throttle. it won't
happen on a hoist if the wheels are hanging free because there's no thrust
loading on the drivetrain like you'd get on the road. My 2c worth anyway!
Try it - it can't hurt.

Australian spec cars have scheduled change for *all* fluids at 80,000Km -
50K miles / 2 years (except oil - 12500Km), so I'd say it may be looooong
overdue if it's not been done yet. Cheers

 

[k. ote.]

<<Hey all. Since you haven't actually described the problem in any
significant detail, there seems to be a problem with the side-view mirrors
in most (if not all) of the Subarus that I've been in, where airflow
around the mirrors generates a horrible, heart-stopping whine at speed, or
if there's a crosswind with *just the right* speed or characteristics at
slower speeds.>>

That would explain why it's not replicated on a hoist but *not* why it's
throttle and load sensitive on the road.

In my case, the throttle and load changes the angle of the car and can
affect the noise significantly. When I'm right at the "sweet" (or sour?)
spot, I can tromp on the gas and start it, or let go of the gas and stop
it. Airflow is a tricky thing to modulate.

Australian spec cars have scheduled change for *all* fluids at 80,000Km -
50K miles / 2 years (except oil - 12500Km), so I'd say it may be looooong
overdue if it's not been done yet. Cheers

=]

Well, it's easier to check the mirrors first anyway, and far less
expensive.

 

[Losiho]

Australian spec cars have scheduled change for *all* fluids at 80,000Km -
50K miles / 2 years (except oil - 12500Km), so I'd say it may be looooong
overdue if it's not been done yet. Cheers

I hate to be pedantic, but Australian spec cars have their major service /
all fluids changed every 50,000km / 30,000 miles.

 

[hippo]

<<I hate to be pedantic, but Australian spec cars have their major service
/ all fluids changed every 50,000km / 30,000 miles. >>

Oops ... of course you're right. That's not pedantry on your part though -
just carelessness on mine for hitting enter without checking while I was
reading up on an 80K service for something else. Silly me. Thanks

 

[Paul Chan]

I spoke to a friend who is a former master tech for SOA. While he has seen
a number of these issues with sound that indeed may be related to center
diff., it never proceeds to anything worse. If it is a minimal sound SOA
will do nothing. Nonetheless, get in on your service record if you are
still in a warranty period.
Have any of you changed the diff fluid? That gear oil smells nasty from
the start so I'm not sure how to tell when it goes "bad".
I wonder if that can really be the culprit since?

Thanks for the heads-up folks. I'll get them to look at the diff fluid
next time. It is due for a fluid change anyway. I hope this addresses
the problem.

The dealer that I go to in Santa Cruz has actually be really nice over
the last 4 years whenever I brought my car in. Let's hope it works
this time. Will keep you all posted.

Thanks!

 

[brusbrother]

Test drive by SOA of my 2000 Legacy GT today suggests "normal" transmission
sound. Tech suggested it could be in the diff or planetary gear of the
tranny and was aware of the "condition". My diff and tranny fluid is 3K
shy of the 30K change so I will do an early change and see what happens.
It only started in the last 3 months and I'm not too thrilled.
On a bright note, covered under my extended warranty, I realized that wind
noise was associated with the mirror and they now have an updated gusset
that totally eliminated the noise on the driver's side! Next visit... the
passenger side.

 

[chanpaul2000]

I spoke to a friend who is a former master tech for SOA. While he has seen
a number of these issues with sound that indeed may be related to center
diff., it never proceeds to anything worse. If it is a minimal sound SOA
will do nothing. Nonetheless, get in on your service record if you are
still in a warranty period.
Have any of you changed the diff fluid? That gear oil smells nasty from
the start so I'm not sure how to tell when it goes "bad".
I wonder if that can really be the culprit since?

 

[chanpaul2000]

I just got back from Subaru. Transmission, front and rear diff fluids
all changed. Whine is still there as ever. I guess that eliminates on
thing.

Has anyone been able to determine if this has to do with the fuel
pump/injectors? It correlates with application of throttle and I can
only think of that right now.

Thanks.

 

[Alan]

I just got back from Subaru. Transmission, front and rear diff fluids
all changed. Whine is still there as ever. I guess that eliminates on
thing.

Has anyone been able to determine if this has to do with the fuel
pump/injectors? It correlates with application of throttle and I can
only think of that right now.

It sounds more like a fuel-related noise to me- the pump or injectors as you
suggest. Probably the pump.