[Klynn]

Hey guys, I was working on my girlfriend's '09 Forester today (stalling at idle... turned out to be a dirty throttle body) and after resolving that I was going for a test drive to make sure everything is good and noticed a noise. I've never owned a Subaru before so I don't know if this is "just how they sound" or if it's something to be concerned about. Doing some googling it sounds like it could be rod knock, could be a loose heat shield, could be a failing timing belt tensioner, or something else?

For reference car has ~112k miles, head gaskets, timing belt and tensioner were done at ~108k miles with OEM parts at the dealer (Toyota dealer though, FWIW). We've only had the car 4-5 months (the maintenance was done as a term of us buying the car) so I don't really know how long it's been making this noise or how well maintained it was. I believe about 9 months ago valve cover gaskets were done per the carfax.

The noise starts around 3k RPM and seems to be RPM dependent (higher RPM makes it faster). If I blip the gas and let off the noise persists for a second or two after I let off the gas. Sitting in neutral or park and revving the engine doesn't seem to make any sound, however.

Thanks for your time!

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

@Klynn welcome to the forum from Oregon! :biggrin:

What's the title to the video? If I can find it, I'll embed it for you. :wink:

Also...

For the best forum experience, we recommend completing your "Public Profile". Specifically, the "About Me" section (Edit Your Details). This displays every time you make a post on the forum. This will provide information members may need to reply to your forum posts. You can edit this field via the "User Control Panel", aka, "User CP.

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Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[Klynn]

Gotcha. Video is called "2009 Forester Noise"

Thanks for the help!

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

YouTube video enbedded into your first post. :wink:

As to forum permissions:

New members can "attach pictures (thumbnails)", but are required to meet the requirement below to post a for sale ad in the Member Classifieds or edit a post or to post links ... to prevent spamming.

• Time as a member = 15 days, "New User" (displayed under the user name), changes to "Forum Member".
• Forum post count = 15.

Editing is not allowed in the "Member Mishaps" sub-forum.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[Klynn]

That's the one! You can hear the sound best around 7 seconds when I hold my phone out the window.

And yeah it makes sense why the rule exists... just hard to ask "what is this sound" without people being able to hear the sound. Thanks for your help!