Subaru Forrester 03 - Lots of noise on start up

[needsducktape]

Hello - BITOG !

My Mom has a 2003 Sub Forrester with 102K, She recently had the head-gasket replaced as we found out it was leaking.
(Did not overheat or break down)

Her mech. did the timing belt, waterpump and plugs and wires.

All of this was done a few weeks ago.

I drove the car yesterday and I noticed VERY loud ticking. This lasts apx 1 minute while it warms up and then it as as quite as ever. -I also think this is why my mom did not notice as within that amount of time it quiets down.

Aside from poor mileage the car warms up fine and drives as normal.

I am 100% positive that the ticking WAS NOT THERE before the head gasket replacement as I drove it BEFORE it went in.

What could cause the ticking?
Is it engine knock ?
More importantly what did my mech do improperly that would cause this. ?

Since I brought it up, she is in panic mode and want to trade the car in.

 

[mopar_monkey]

does this engine have hyd lifters? if so it could be a bad lifter if not it could be a mis adjusted lifter

 

[needsducktape]

I am unsure- I know its the 2.5 motor. Could our mechanic mis aligned them during the headgasket replacement?

 

[dparm]

I'd take it back to said mechanic.

 

[Mark_Walk]

How's the oil level?

 

[needsducktape]

Originally Posted By: Mark_Walk
How's the oil level?


Oil is fine - I hang out on BITOG !!!

 

[needsducktape]

Anyone??

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
Anyone??


Just a wild a** guess but are you using a Subaru branded oil filter? Brief ticking sounds like an oil filter that did not hold the oil in the filter, ie, poor ADBV. Lifter ticking after a minute of start is usually a bad/clogged lifter or restricted oil passages.

Whimsey

 

[crazyoildude]

Bring it back and see what he says and if he has no answers ask him to change the oil and filter using 5w30 and see what happens...
Some of these guys seem to go deaf when asked about a tick or knock on a new or rebuilt engine, if you hear it and it was not there before than it is a problem

 

[Eddie]

+1 on changing the oil filter and make sure it has 5w30 oil in it. This engine does not have Hyd lifters.

 

[Kira]

Hello, +2 on the proper oil and filter as STEP #1. My friends have essentially the same car-a 2001 w/108K. It has a tick which goes away at ~1200 RPM. The correct oil quieted it down some. I was there. Kira

 

[Dakota1820]

Agreed with doing oil change with a good filter wix or purolator. I just did the oil on my car and used a fram on sale and everytim I'd start it it would tick and rattle until it was warm changed filter and now there's no noise

 

[needsducktape]

UPDATE:

Turns out my Mechanic installed the wrong spark plugs -in fact they were Chrysler branded! He also NEVER changed the fuel filter....

Un friggin' believable.


Just wanted to let everyone know that the car is MUCH improved - We took it to a Subaru specialist. He Also said we should be running premium gasoline. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[Mark_Walk]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
UPDATE:

Turns out my Mechanic installed the wrong spark plugs -in fact they were Chrysler branded! He also NEVER changed the fuel filter....

Un friggin' believable.


Just wanted to let everyone know that the car is MUCH improved - We took it to a Subaru specialist. He Also said we should be running premium gasoline. Has anyone else heard this?


NO on the premium, unless it's a turbo.

 

[needsducktape]

This is what we thought too - however he thinks Subarus tend to not do as well with all the ethanol.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
This is what we thought too - however he thinks Subarus tend to not do as well with all the ethanol.


Premium gas still contains ethanol too.

 

[rjundi]

A few things.

Subaru's with this lovely 2.5L non turbo have piston slap sometimes especially in cold weather. It sounds like what you describe.

Another possibility is the timing belt tensioner or failing pulley makes this sound.

Get it checked out.

 

[porcupine73]

Subaru stopped with hydraulic lifters after 1996. Sometimes if the valve clearance was not checked/adjusted properly after a head gasket job there can be miscellaneous ticking.