Hi all - I am generally in the older forum, but I was looking at a 97 legacy for my girlfriend and we heard an odd whistling under hard accelleration (at least that was where I could reproduce it) initally when I first started it up I thought that there might be an exhaust leak from what I heard, but the whistling almost sounds like it is a turbo sucking up air, different from the exhaust leak I heard initially.

 

Is this a common thing? - the guy said that the engine was standard which I don't think includes a turbo - I figure he would have mentioned that if there was one.

 

This car is kind of high milage, about 145000, but it is a subaru, and the mileage has been highway at night - the guy said that he worked graveyard in Portland (we were in Vancouver). Any ideas as to what this might be that I am hearing?

 

Thanks

Hi all - I am generally in the older forum, but I was looking at a 97 legacy for my girlfriend and we heard an odd whistling under hard accelleration (at least that was where I could reproduce it) initally when I first started it up I thought that there might be an exhaust leak from what I heard, but the whistling almost sounds like it is a turbo sucking up air, different from the exhaust leak I heard initially.

 

Is this a common thing? - the guy said that the engine was standard which I don't think includes a turbo - I figure he would have mentioned that if there was one.

 

This car is kind of high milage, about 145000, but it is a subaru, and the mileage has been highway at night - the guy said that he worked graveyard in Portland (we were in Vancouver). Any ideas as to what this might be that I am hearing?

 

Thanks

 

I think its easy to misalign the lower part of the airbox cover whne replacing the intake filter. maybe check for that. Some have mentioned a clogged cat convert can whistle - I'd expect that to be loudest at the tailpipe. I suppose a vacuum leak could whistle.

 

Carl

Mine does this too. Although it seems to be coming from the rear of the car but I'm not sure. It's only under heavy load acceleration.

 

Ryan

You can still afford to accelerate hard??? I miss those days. All I can smell is burning money when I get into the throttle over half way. Thanks Texas.

Of course I can afford to accelerate hard - I havn't bought the car yet.

 

dickensheets - you say you have the same thing? Has it caused anything noticable performance wise?

 

1 lucky texan - so it doesn't sound like it should really worry me much, thanks for the info

 

He wants 5700 for this car? does that sound reasonable or should I put some effort into talking him down a bit?

 

thanks

Intersting..... My 96 Whistles only under heavy acceleration AND the check engine light is on for "ineffecient catalyst" or bad cat! WOW..... Maybe I should get around to replacing the cats and see if it goes away. I've never been able to figure out what it is that makes the noise, but I figured it was exhaust related.

 

Keith

No perfomance hit on mine, nor any CEL. I'm gonna ignore it.

So I am wondering if $5700 is a good deal on this Car - It has 145000 on it, but the body and driveline seem to be in good shape. Any advice?

So I am wondering if $5700 is a good deal on this Car - It has 145000 on it, but the body and driveline seem to be in good shape. Any advice?

 

My advice would be to give your indie mech $75 and a six-pack to check the car out for you. We can only do so much guessing at a description of a noise.

 

Carl