legacycentral bbs

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.

Remove both accessory belts and run the car that way to see if it goes away.

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.

Ill give this a shot

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.

This was happening before and after the timing belt and idlers. Going to pull the accessory belts off tomorrow and see.

The sound did not go away when removing belts

Hmm, i wonder if it has a spun bearing?

Would hope not. Just spent 900 on the engine. Cylinder walls looked fine and compression was at 170 across all cylinders

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

Were they Subaru pullies or another brand?

ALl the pulleys, water pumper, tensioner and belt. Used the Ebay kit. The sound was there before and after the t-belt was done.

Maybe try getting a video of it and posting it on youtube or something, that could help