Whiny Engine

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Baddog
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Posts: 256
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 2:59 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Whiny Engine

Post by Baddog »

So I have noticed ever since we bought the girlfriends 92 Legacy it has always had a whiny noise from the engine. We have just recently done cams and all the seals as well as timing belt + new idlers.

This has also gotten the 2nd gen alternator installed within the past 3 weeks.

What is the cause of this noise? Ive heard it on other ones.

Power steering? But it happens at idle with no turning of the wheel and it gets louder as you accelerate.
1996 Subaru Legacy L
1993 Subaru Legacy SS
1992 Subaru Legacy L
1990 Subaru Legacy L
ciper
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Re: Whiny Engine

Post by ciper »

Remove both accessory belts and run the car that way to see if it goes away.
Legacy777
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Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Legacy777 »

Ciper's dead on with his suggestion.

Also, check the rotation of the power steering and alternator pullies to make sure the spin freely. It wouldn't hurt to check the AC & AC tensioner pulley as well.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Baddog
Second Gear
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 2:59 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Baddog »

Ill give this a shot
1996 Subaru Legacy L
1993 Subaru Legacy SS
1992 Subaru Legacy L
1990 Subaru Legacy L
monkeyposeur
First Gear
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Re: Whiny Engine

Post by monkeyposeur »

Hi Baddog, lol!

My second gen leggy engine is whiny ever since I replaced the timing belt. I bought a cheap ebay kit which I now regret. I should have gone with Gates. Anyway, the subaru FSM says that timing belt noise could be a result of a loose timing belt. I may have not done the screwdriver trick where you crank it over to the passenger side before tightening the bolts on the tensioner as it was my first time doing the timing. My noise is less noticeable when I get to higher gears and rpms, or if the radio is on. I am planning on replacing the belt and tensioner in a while and see if the noise goes away. I don't think that it is my ac or power steering belt.
93 SS - SOLD
03 WRX 22T/205 20GXT 350 whp
06 OBXT
95 BK - Sold to my neighbor.
Baddog
Second Gear
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 2:59 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Baddog »

This was happening before and after the timing belt and idlers. Going to pull the accessory belts off tomorrow and see.
1996 Subaru Legacy L
1993 Subaru Legacy SS
1992 Subaru Legacy L
1990 Subaru Legacy L
Baddog
Second Gear
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 2:59 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Baddog »

The sound did not go away when removing belts
1996 Subaru Legacy L
1993 Subaru Legacy SS
1992 Subaru Legacy L
1990 Subaru Legacy L
cj91legss
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Re: Whiny Engine

Post by cj91legss »

Hmm, i wonder if it has a spun bearing?
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
Baddog
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Posts: 256
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 2:59 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Baddog »

Would hope not. Just spent 900 on the engine. Cylinder walls looked fine and compression was at 170 across all cylinders
1996 Subaru Legacy L
1993 Subaru Legacy SS
1992 Subaru Legacy L
1990 Subaru Legacy L
Legacy777
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Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Legacy777 »

Did you replace all the t-belt idler pullies and gear? What about the water pump?

Were they Subaru pullies or another brand?
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Baddog
Second Gear
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 2:59 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Whiny Engine

Post by Baddog »

ALl the pulleys, water pumper, tensioner and belt. Used the Ebay kit. The sound was there before and after the t-belt was done.
1996 Subaru Legacy L
1993 Subaru Legacy SS
1992 Subaru Legacy L
1990 Subaru Legacy L
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
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Re: Whiny Engine

Post by cj91legss »

Maybe try getting a video of it and posting it on youtube or something, that could help
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
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