Refresh me on 2002 Forester engine noise please.

[Steve Bukosky]

My 2002 Forest has piston slap below 40 degrees that clears up when
the engine warms. But in any weather, the engine has what sounds like
a collapsed lifter, most noticable when the engine is cool. I've
suspected the cam belt tensioner from what I've read here.

I just paid over $500 for the 30,000 mile service done at about 35,000
miles and always used Mobil One doing my own oil changes because I
don't trust Valvoline places to take the time to remove and replace
the plastic shield under the engine and figure they'd spill oil trying
to get the filter off without removing the shield.

The dealership said that the noise was nothing to be concerned about.
(what a surprise, eh?) I did not pursue it because I did buy the
extended warranty an figured I still have a few years for this
potential problem to develop.

So, my question is if the cam belt tensioner is the likely cuprit?

 

[Guest]

My 2002 Forest has piston slap below 40 degrees that clears up when
the engine warms. But in any weather, the engine has what sounds like
a collapsed lifter, most noticable when the engine is cool. I've
suspected the cam belt tensioner from what I've read here.

I just paid over $500 for the 30,000 mile service done at about 35,000
miles and always used Mobil One doing my own oil changes because I
don't trust Valvoline places to take the time to remove and replace
the plastic shield under the engine and figure they'd spill oil trying
to get the filter off without removing the shield.

The dealership said that the noise was nothing to be concerned about.
(what a surprise, eh?) I did not pursue it because I did buy the
extended warranty an figured I still have a few years for this
potential problem to develop.

So, my question is if the cam belt tensioner is the likely cuprit?

For our 1997 it was the dread "short skirt" slap. Our dealer had a short block installed under warrantee ($0) when the slap got really bad @ 49K miles--as in all the time. He said Subaru does it to make the gas mileage figures look better. Our '03 OB is doing it now @ 10K miles.

That reasoning sounds self defeating to me.

Don
Username munged by FixNews

 

[NitroTrike]

I doubt there is anything wrong. I have a 2002 wrx, and I bought it in the
winter. From the time it was new, it has done it, and like you said, it goes
away after about 30 seconds. It now has 70k on it (i drive it all day for work)
and does it every morning, louder when its cooler at night. As far as the
tensioner is concerned, it would of thrown the belt if there was a problem!

 

[Jim Stewart]

My 2002 Forest has piston slap below 40 degrees that clears up when
the engine warms. But in any weather, the engine has what sounds like
a collapsed lifter, most noticable when the engine is cool. I've
suspected the cam belt tensioner from what I've read here.

I just paid over $500 for the 30,000 mile service done at about 35,000
miles and always used Mobil One doing my own oil changes because I

What weight are you using? I had a lot more
clatter until I switched to 10W30. If you're
using thinner, you might try switching to it
on your next change.