Hi All,

 

I just bought my first Subie, so I'm full of questions. I'll try to keep it to the big ones and you can add advice that you would like to impart.

 

I bought a '97 Impreza Outback, which is a 5speed, 2.2L and has 102,000 miles. It appears to have visited a mechanic on a regular basis.

 

What I know/don't know. I know the timing belt and water pump needs to be monitored for replacement starting about 60,000 miles. But, I don't know if it's been done. I know older Subies are known for being "less refined" than what I might be accustomed to (my '06 Honda Civic).

 

So here are my observations, feel free to tell me if these are normal or cause for concern.

 

1) The engine sounds a little "dieselish" or "clickety." It sounds more like older Porsche engines sounded. It sounds slightly louder on the passenger side than the driver's.

 

2) My intake hums. This one was totally unexpected. There is a constant humming coming from the air box on the passenger side. But, it's not audible from inside the car, only with the hood open.

 

3) I've noticed a slight "tap/click" at first when I downshift (for example from 5th to 3rd), but when I downshift a second time (from 3rd to 2nd), there is no second tap.

 

Other than that, there is every indication that this is a well-loved car. I'm considering taking it to Broadway Automotive (here in North Jersey) to ask them to drive it and put an experienced ear to the car.

 

Thanks for any input/advice!

Welcome to the board! You'll find lots of good people and good advice here.

 

As for your questions...

 

A boxer engine can sound very "dieselish". That's especially true if there is an aggressive exhaust system on the car. That's why the old Porsche's sounded that way.

 

Humming intake. Hmmm.... Not sure what to make of that other than it sounds like something isn't tightened properly. Check the 4 retainer clips that hold the airbox closed. Also check the hose clamps that secure the intake hose.

 

As for your "tap/click" on downshift...does that sound electronic or mechanical?

Scoobywagon,

 

Thank you for your input. I know the car had a new muffler put in, but not a more aggressive exhaust than that. It doesn't sound like a valve tap or knocking (both of which I am familiar with), but I've never heard piston slap, so I don't know if it's that or not.

 

The humming is really odd to me. It's not a rattle (like loose clips) and it resonates at a high, loud and constant pitch when the engine is idling. I'm going to open the airbox this weekend to see if the air intake is clogged or something is making a reed instrument out of the intake.

 

The click comes from the front on downshift. It is either mechanical or it's a VERY heavy duty relay. it doesn't sound like a loose motor mount or transmission mount (it's lighter than either of those sounds). It's hard to describe. Could it be the AWD disengaging, or similar to the sound that is made when one is making tight turns in the parking lot? (although my subi doesn't even make that sound in parking lots).

 

Thanks for the warm greeting, too. I used to be an avid member of TUNFS-"The Ultimate Nissan Frontier Site" or "The Unofficial Nissan Frontier Site." I can't wait to get acquainted with the "characters" here and become one myself!

welcome GXP

 

I've been driving soobs since 1980...and that's the one major thing I don't like about them...the boxer engine sound. It's nice in a porsche maybe...

I love the quiet purr of an inline 4...

 

As for your click on downshift...my 02 legacy GT does the same thing...not sure what it is but have other soobs that did it also....should be nothing to worry about...but I have no idea what causes it

BGambino,

 

I finally figured out exactly how to describe what that noise is on downshift. The sound is almost exactly like the sound that the A/C compressor makes when engaging/disengaging. It's not a grind and isn't getting worse.

 

Thank you for the advice about your previous subi's and my downshift click, I'll rest easier with your input about the sound, now. I'm also encouraged by the AWD system, because I can hear the AWD quietly purring to itself during tight turns and it is very quite on the road.

 

I've narrowed the sound of the "dieselish," "clackety" sound to the front, near the main drive pulley. I'm now a little frightened of a bent crank shaft (how rare would that be?!?!), because the drive pulley has a slight wobble (and by slight, I mean a 0.5 mm wobble) that appears to be coincident with the speed/sound of the "diesel clacking." I'll have a subi-experienced mechanic look at it to give his input and talk about the timing belt/water pump.

Get the wobbly harmonic balancer checked ASAP.

 

You could be on your way to a bit of a miserable and usually rather expensive repair if it is loose and it gets run that way for a length of time.