noisy engine when starting

[Robert]

I just "found" this group and it is good to find some Subaru owners and
fixers I have a sound like hydraulic valve when I start the engine.
It goes away fast and is less obvious when starting the car with the
engine warm. Also a ticking at speed when cruising. Less when
accelerating or slowing down. Has anyone had these symptoms and managed
to narrow them down to a cause. This has been going on for over a year
without getting worse. Dealers want to remake or replace the engine.
Noise is also loud when fast idle in neutral. I am pretty sure this has
been brought up before! The ticking could be THAT piston slap.


Patrick

 

[Funkadyleik Spynwhanker]

Ticking could be piston slap, it could be something worse though.

The "hydrolic valve" sound is it a whine or more like a hiss? The hiss is
supposed to be the fuel pump preasurizing the fuel line. (You can get that
by turning the key to the notch just before it starts and listening.)

If its a whine that goes away after a bit then you might have your
alternator checked. Mine did that in the cold and finally blew.

 

[Robert]

Thanks for the input. By the hydraulic sound I meant the noise you hear
when the hydraulic lifters are sticking or your oil pressure is low. It
sounds exactly like low oil pressure at start up, then a few seconds
later it goes away. The info I have been able to pick up is the valves
have solid lifters, so I have ruled that out EXCEPT some places say in
the 97 model year they used hydraulic lifters on some models. The road
speed ticking is more than likely piston slap. If is is low oil pressure
it could be that oil pump O ring I have read about! Still not sure. DO
you know of any 97's with other than mechanical valve lifters?

Patrick

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Thanks for the input. By the hydraulic sound I meant the noise you hear
when the hydraulic lifters are sticking or your oil pressure is low. It
sounds exactly like low oil pressure at start up, then a few seconds
later it goes away. The info I have been able to pick up is the valves
have solid lifters, so I have ruled that out EXCEPT some places say in
the 97 model year they used hydraulic lifters on some models. The road
speed ticking is more than likely piston slap. If is is low oil pressure
it could be that oil pump O ring I have read about! Still not sure. DO
you know of any 97's with other than mechanical valve lifters?

Patrick

I don't recall which years are involved - but a noisy TB tensioner is a
know problem with a few soobs. See if it seems to come more from the
front of the engine.

try also searching for piston slap and noisy tensioner at www.usmb.net

Carl

 

[Rick Courtright]

have solid lifters, so I have ruled that out EXCEPT some places say in
the 97 model year they used hydraulic lifters on some models. The

Hi,

IF your engine turns out to be one w/ hydraulics, the noise you heard is
so common w/ Subies (at least the earlier ones) it's even noted in my
owners manual ('90.) Their only advice is basically "if the noise
doesn't go away after a few minutes, see your dealer." In other words,
as long as the noise goes away fairly quickly, you're doing ok.

Many "cures" have been prescribed, but you can start with simple stuff.
Get an OEM oil filter. Some owners (myself included) have noted a
reduction in startup noise w/ OEM filters. Don't ask why, it just
happens! If I had to guess, I'd go with better anti-drainback valves for
starters.

"Doctor in a can" treatments sometimes help if the lifters are gummy:
Rislone and Marvel Mystery Oil have been suggested and reported to help.
I've used Rislone in the past, and did note some improvement for a
while.

Leaky O-rings on the oil pump are often implicated, but that's much more
work to cure, and isn't guaranteed any more than other ideas.

Now, if you engine's got solid lifters, have you checked the valve
adjustment? My experience w/ loose valves indicates the noise will
usually still be present when the engine warms up, which sounds like
something you've experienced, too?

Piston slap may be on the list, too, but I'd look at simpler
explanations first.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[Robert]

Thanks Rick,

The noise goes away quickly, a couple, maybe 5 seconds. Just loud! I
also read the timing belt tensioner could be the problem, it appears it
gets it's tension from oil pressure. Thicker oil, like a can of
"restore" seems to make a difference for a while. I'll try a some
detergent should the gum on the valve works or the tensioner be the
problem. Thanks for the help.

Patrick

 

[AS]

Not sure that this applies to your car but in my wife's car, the loud
engine was caused by a worn out o-ring that goes where the oil pump
sump/strainer tube assy. meets the engine block. The flattened/worn-out
oring would somehow allow for the oil to be drained back to the carter
or for air to be sucked in.

Replacing the oring, a p.i.t.a for having to remove the carter, took
care of the problem magically.

Good luck.

 

[pheasant]

I just "found" this group and it is good to find some Subaru owners and
fixers I have a sound like hydraulic valve when I start the engine. It
goes away fast and is less obvious when starting the car with the engine
warm. Also a ticking at speed when cruising. Less when accelerating or
slowing down. Has anyone had these symptoms and managed to narrow them down
to a cause. This has been going on for over a year without getting worse.
Dealers want to remake or replace the engine. Noise is also loud when fast
idle in neutral. I am pretty sure this has been brought up before! The
ticking could be THAT piston slap.

My 86 GL started this about a week ago. Gonna tear it apart next week and
try the o ring bit. If that doesn't cure it then it's part out time.

But still beats staining the house for a vacation project.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My 86 GL started this about a week ago. Gonna tear it apart next week and
try the o ring bit. If that doesn't cure it then it's part out time.

But still beats staining the house for a vacation project.

Be sure to offer your parts to the guys at www.usmb.net - they love to
keep older soobs on the road.

good luck

Carl