This noise is concerning me

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
entirelyturbo
quasi-mod-o
quasi-mod-o
Posts: 6000
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2002 7:06 pm
Location: Tampa, FL

This noise is concerning me

Post by entirelyturbo »

Okay, I've remained quiet about it for a while because I wasn't sure where it was coming from. Now I'm positive as to its location and I don't like it.

I have a tapping/rattling noise coming from what sounds like inside the bellhousing. It is engine speed dependant, and I only hear it at idle and slightly above, maybe because it gets too frequent to be noticed at high engine speed. I'm positive it's not clutch related, the clutch isn't 30k miles old yet, and I just replaced the entire clutch fork system (new fork, throwout bearing, clips, etc.) It's not the throwout bearing dragging on the pressure plate due to a misadjusted cable, because the noise is there regardless of whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged.

I recall reading a little ditty in the premier Car and Driver article about the Forester XT, and I quote:

"[It was] found that the aluminum rear main bearing cap was letting the crankshaft wobble a but, opening up the bearing clearance over time and generating a rattling noise."

Granted this is the EJ25 they're talking about, but I wonder if this applies to our engines. This sure sounds like my problem :cry:

Anyone else have any comments? I wish I had a video camera so I could record the sound, but alas I don't. I've listened to other BC/BF Legacies specifically for it and I don't hear it at all in their engines... I know it's probably nothing that is detrimental to the car's function this instant, but I really don't wanna hafta tear this motor down :(
"Der Wahnsinn ist nur eine schmale Brücke/die Ufer sind Vernunft und Trieb"

*Formerly DerFahrer*

@entirelyturbo on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok
tris91ricer
Title Whore
Posts: 2692
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:19 am
Location: Valdosta, GA

Post by tris91ricer »

awww....man...
That DOES suck.
Ripping an engine down is some hardcore shit..
I know the feeling though, ..that dread that something could be horribly wrong with the one thing you love.
Good luck, and let us know what comes of it..
[b]'92 L Sedan[/b]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD

[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27926
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

If it is the bearing, there's not much you can do unless you pull apart the engine....in which case, just drive it till it pukes and then stick another motor in.
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
tris91ricer
Title Whore
Posts: 2692
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:19 am
Location: Valdosta, GA

Post by tris91ricer »

what does it look like thru the bellhousing viewing area? anything abnormal?
[b]'92 L Sedan[/b]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD

[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
entirelyturbo
quasi-mod-o
quasi-mod-o
Posts: 6000
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2002 7:06 pm
Location: Tampa, FL

Post by entirelyturbo »

I'm stupid, ignore that whole thing. I can't hear for shit.

I thought I was hearing it coming from the bellhousing, but I guess the sound was just drifting that way from the driver's side head...

Yes it's lifters. No the engine is not low on oil, I just changed it 50 miles ago.

So I'm either going to have to rebuild the oil pump or pull the rocker arms and replace the lifters. Fuck.

I probably won't, I'll just get rid of it. I'm tired of it. Two bad wheel bearings, a shot-to-hell paint job, no A/C, a loud and disconcerting clunk when I take off, blown speakers, and more I'm forgetting...
"Der Wahnsinn ist nur eine schmale Brücke/die Ufer sind Vernunft und Trieb"

*Formerly DerFahrer*

@entirelyturbo on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok
evolutionmovement
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 9809
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:20 pm
Location: Beverly, MA

Post by evolutionmovement »

Maybe you could get a used turbo for cheap.

Steve
Midnight in a Perfect World on Amazon or order anywhere. The first book in a quartet chronicling the rise of a man from angry criminal to philanthropist. Midnight... is a distopic noirish novel featuring 'Duchess', a modified 1990 Subaru Legacy wagon.
Post Reply