legacycentral bbs

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

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

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..

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.

what does it look like thru the bellhousing viewing area? anything abnormal?

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...

Maybe you could get a used turbo for cheap.

Steve