Ok Now that I have your attention let me tell you about my car.

 

My Subaru is my winter beater and parts hauler. I don't give it much love, basically just change the oil and it never complains.

 

A few weeks ago I started up the car and I heard an audible ticking sound almost like rod knock but not really. Either way it scared the crap out of me. I immeadiatly turned off the car checked the oil and confirmed it was full and started the car again. Noise gone.

 

This am same exact situation.

 

Any ideas?

1991? I would assume an EJ22 engine? The sound was likely a sticky hydraulic valve lifter. If it's gone, don't worry.

 

(A rod knock will usually get louder as the engine oil heats up and thins out.)

Anything I can do to free up the lifter? Change oil weight? Flush crancase?

Timing belt tensioner's can sometimes make that sound too. How may miles are on it and was the tensioner changed at the same time as the belt?

 

If it's a sticky lifter, sometimes it's as easy as switching to a different brand of oil. I wouldn't include Penzoil as an option if it were me...

Try a 5W-40 oil and use a genuine Subaru filter.