Clogged turbo banjo screens aren't a concern for your motor, so no need to worry there. They're not really a concern for modern turbo Subaru's in general actually.
The 2.5 and 2.0 Subaru motors seem to make a noticeable amount of timing chain noise upon a dry startup (have two in the family now) perhaps that's what you're hearing. You also mentioned that you're new to Subaru's, and maybe you're just experiencing what a cold flat subaru engine sounds like?
It's a unique sound and definitely louder than most other designs and I can completely see how people would think they have a lifter tick or piston slap issue as the motor reaches operating temps, but it's almost always perfectly normal. We have a crosstrek, forrester XT and outback 3.6 in the family and they ALL sound like that when cold upon startup and are even inherently a bit louder than other designs when at temp even.
Yeah it sounds like rod knock for like .75 seconds SOMETIMES but it goes away. I only noticed it when it got cold recently. And it still doesn't do it all the time. It is ONLY on initial startup, sometimes.. which is why I just may go out and get a Fram Ultra.
I should also change the oil. Subie, you run 5W-30 in yours?
This is my first Subaru, so. I like the car, it's just really frustrating hearing a "you need a new engine" sound for ANY length of time (piston slap, lifter tick, engines with rod knock make a sound that's unnerving that's faster when they first start. But this could be a lack of lubrication thing.)
So, real quick? My engine doesn't have rod knock. Thanks.
Its driving me crazy because if my engine is fine then IMHO it should not sound like that. Hence, questions about oil filters, ADBVs, oil, etc. The Subaru it is vertical, straight up and down.
So I'm just kind of.. should I start with changing the oil. ? I'm thinking a 0W. And it's still not even cold. 34 Fahrenheit on the Google machine overnight temps, real feel more like 50 before the sun comes up and 60 during the day. Winter feels a lot like Spring now ..
I think I may possibly have an oil clog somewhere. This car did sit for a long time and then go into use. But I don't know if that checks out with reality. It runs fine and is peppy and good MPG and the 4 is peppier than the 6, weight matters . Its that SOUND. Boxer trademark? And no it doesn't do it all the time.. it is the OCD of a BITOGer.
