This ticking is scaring me..

[robertpaige]

Lifters? Piston slap? Usually only happens when cold. Then near operating temp it just goes away completely. like tick tick tick tick ti---------- I recall it doing it once while warm, more subtle. But lately it's only on a cold start. And it's making me worried. Maybe some Seafoam will help? I just wanna know what this is. Click the thumbnail and it takes you to a video.

[Laura]

ouch... That was extremely painful to listen to.

I would say yes to lifter issue. I would not suggest Seafoam. (I'm not a fan of quick fixes.) I would do the obvious of making sure my Subie had a good amount of oil.... Then get ready to fix some lifters.

[Legacy777]

There are several different noises in the video. Obviously the deeper noise is the exhaust, however the other just sounds like lifter noise, and normal boxer engine noise. Does the noise go away once warmed up?

What are your ambient temps like and what brand & weight oil are you using?

[robertpaige]

Noise goes away completely when warmed. And what do you mean by ambient temp?

[SILINC3R]

Check your oil. That is a main sound/sign when oil is low. Or atleast for my car it is.

[robertpaige]

Oil is full. My old wagon used tick loud for me when it was getting low.

[randomiam]

if its the lifters and the oil is fresh/full then some of the lifters may need to be bled, its pretty easy

[robertpaige]

I'll take a look this weekend. I just am praying this motor doesn't go out on me any time soon.

[Legacy777]

Ambient temp = Temp outside

If you notice this more when the outside temps are lower that could mean some of the lifters need to be bled or you may not have as high of oil pressure as you need. I'd start with bleeding the lifters. When you do this, you'll also be able to tell if you have any bad lifters. After bleeding them, they should not compress at all. If they do, that lifter is bad and should be replaced.

If bleeding the lifters doesn't help, then you may want to try and verify oil pressure. If it's low, the oil pump backing plate may need to be resealed.

How long has it been since you changed your oil & filter?

[robertpaige]

Outside temp is usually 39 to 45 degrees i'd say.

I haven't changed it and i'm not sure when the PO changed the filter, he said he put new oil in it like a week before I bought it which was a few weeks ago now, I think. I don't have enough money right now to do a oil and tranny fluid change + oil filter. When I do, what grade oil do you think I should be using?

I need to get an alignment really bad, the steering is loose. I also have to fix a stripped axle hub stud, it needs new plugs and wires, and also up/downpipe gaskets. $$$$$$$$$ I don't have.

[SUBYLUV871]

Mine did that when i pulled my motor. they have hydrolic lifters i was told. after presure was built up it went away. with it happening when its cold. you might be losing oil presure somware.

[lucas]

change your oil man, my car does that when the oils to dirty

[robertpaige]

Now i'm leaking coolant, awesome

[Laura]

You get what you pay for
(sorry I had to)

Leaking from a hose or the radiator?

[robertpaige]

I think the turbo coolant line has a leak on the bend of the hose, I have a spare from my wagon so i'll throw it in and see. But it was also leaking from the lower radiator hose area when it was on jacks, it was small drips off that plastic pan, I got under and looked and didn't see where it was from so it may have been from the radiator, might have a small crack somewhere. I added a bottle of coolant conditioner from Subaru a couple days after I saw that. Then this morning I was under the hood when I got to work to check and make sure it was sounding okay and saw and heard some sizzling, looked under and it was dripping a bit from about where the intercooler would be under the car.

And my headlight went out. And a bunch of other things cropping up

[Laura]

Oh, the hose is good news. The sizzling, I would assume, without looking at the car, is just runoff from the leak and the metal is just burning it off.

[CAV3MAN227]

-I've always wondered what this was. Mine has been doing it for the last couple years. During winter it comes and goes, just as you described... when cold then goes away once warmed up and at normal idle. Pending on if I drive it everyday, doesn't happen as often, but letting it sit over a couple days, the ticking shows up. Never have caught it during summer though.
-If this is considered a major issue, then we need to get it fixed I suppose. I personally don't see an major issue. Just smog-ed the car a couple weeks ago and passed the first time, no issues, even with a vibrant high flow cat.
-I personally don't think I loose that much oil, 3 quarts had to be added in a 8-10 month period, using royal purple 5-w30. I now have switched to mobile 1 10-w30.
-I wonder, if left like this, what is the outcome? Can it get worse? motor failure?
-I personally believe in seafoam. I did it to my car though the breather, just to the side of the TB, last summer and it actually was a difference I was able to feel. Plan on doing it again once the weather warms up.

-Joe

[Legacy777]

How does the oil look on the dipstick? Is it very black and smell bad, or does it look lighter in color?

I'd suggest running 10w30 on these motors.

[robertpaige]

Josh, Oil is dark brown, ready for a change. Once I get paid next week that's definitely first thing i'm doing, then we'll see how it acts with fresh 10w30.

CAV3MAN227, I don''t think it will destroy a motor, but I wonder the affects over time. Also what exact hose did you use the Seafoam for? I've heard different things

[Legacy777]

Seafoam can be used in many different ways.

It can be sucked into the engine via the engine's vacuum. I suggest putting it in via the PCV valve since it's centrally located. You can also put it in the gas, and you can put it in the oil, however with the oil, I'd just run it for a little bit in the oil before an oil change. I wouldn't leave it in there.

[robertpaige]

I've used it before, but put it thru the brake booster line. I've heard things about how it only runs to two cylinders and what not.

If I unscrew the PCV valve and put a small funnel and pour Seafoam in slowly that way, it will be fine?

[kimokalihi]

Maybe give kreen engine treatment a shot. It cleans your engine like you wouldn't believe!

http://www.kanolabs.com

http://geometroforum.com/topic/5087096/1/?x=25

http://geometroforum.com/topic/4843490/1/?x=25

[Legacy777]

I've used it before, but put it thru the brake booster line. I've heard things about how it only runs to two cylinders and what not.

If I unscrew the PCV valve and put a small funnel and pour Seafoam in slowly that way, it will be fine?

You don't need to remove the PCV valve. Just take a rubber hose a few inches long on the PCV valve, fill that with sea foam, and then put your hand over the open end of the hose. This will cause the PCV valve to open and suck in the sea foam.

[kimokalihi]

Seafoam certainly yielded results for me on multiple cars. Its quieted lifters and smoothed idle and even increased my vaccum a couple inches. I've used it in gas, intake and oil. I wouldn't hesitate to run it in my oil again for a 1,000+ miles. That's where I saw the increase in vacuum. I can only assume the rings sealed better afterwards? The geo guys are mostly against seafoam and they rave about kreen which is only sold to businesses so you need to make up a business name to order from their website which is the only way you can purchase it. I've yet to try kreen because its expensive but the pictures and results I've seen on the geo forum intrigues me so I'm going to try it eventually.

[robertpaige]

Josh, got it.

Kimo 1,000+ miles!? I've heard like, 300 MAX.. Hmm. I am gonna do 1/3 intake, 1/3 oil, and 1/3 can into my gas and see how that turns out. From the topics you posted Kreen looks like a miracle worker.. Not sure how I feel about putting it in my engine though without some more reading up. I feel like it's one of those things that is awesome for awhile but somehow destroys you.. heard about that with Uncle Scottys Cocktail