Off to Advance Auto to pick up a filler neck and stethescope in hopes I can get a better idea where engine rapping (loud when cold, eases up once warm)  I have seen other threads suggesting HLA problems, and I'm thinking maybe have a look at the timing idler.

 

Will the $10 stethescope help?  Any advice how/where to look will be appreciated.

 

Are after market valve cover gaskets ok, or should one stick with oem?

 

Is removal of rocker arm assembly required to diagnose HLA problems.

 

Vehicle was purchased 3 years ago at 94,000 miles from a shop that *thinks* they replaced the timing belt.  Now at 150,000 miles I have my doubts.

 

Thanks.

if they didnt "know", then they didnt do it. that rapping is your tensioner pulley bouncing around. time to order a timing belt kit before you bend valves when it breaks.

if it's timing related - 1997 EJ22 is interference, so best to repair soon.

 

 (loud when cold, eases up once warm)

that is classic piston slap symptom.  loud rapping noise that goes away as engine warms up.  it's benign and nothing you can do about it. well you can disassemble the block, replace the pistons or modify them, but few people do that since it's labor intensive for symptoms that cause no issues.

 

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Vehicle was purchased 3 years ago at 94,000 miles from a shop that *thinks* they replaced the timing belt.

 

there's room for honest mistakes but a new timing belt is a good selling point not easily forgotten by mechanics wanting to sell a car.

 

that being said - just the belt doesn't mean much at this age/mileage.  the pulleys and tensioner need replaced and would be the most likely cause of noise, not the belt itself.  unfortunately Subaru only requires "belt" replacement, so technically speaking the mechanics are following Subaru's recommendation by only replacing the belt. 

 

pull the drivers side timing cover - three 10mm bolts and look at the tensioner to see if it's bouncing.

 

yes - the stethoscope can help narrow down timing gear, valves, block, accessory bearing, exhaust ticking...etc.

 

1.  timing tensioner (drivers side under the plastic cover - which is easily removed in a few minutes

2.  timing pulleys - drivers and passenggers side and centerl/down low

3.  piston slap

4.  valve train - i would expect this to get better as it warms up, but who knows...

5.  cracked flexplate

I second it's probably piston slap. My car sounds like it's gonna put a rod through the block when it's cold. After it's warmed up, sounds perfect. It's a subaru thing.

I have a '98 2.2 engine and it does tick a lot for the first couple of miles, then quiets down- most likely piston slap. Also doesn't have to be high mileaged- it had it when I bought it at 89K miles (102K now- no better or worse).