Twice in the last 2 weeks I've heard a knocking sound when I start my 99 Forester..goes away in 1 or 2 seconds..only on starting..not getting oil upstairs?? anyone else had this happen?? fortelling of bad things to come. ??.Justine, my 88 Justy is still awaiting a carb so this noise is troubling...

Is it a knock or a valve chatter? My Mother-in-laws 98 Outback valves will tap if extremely cold or she's due for an oil change.

 

Have you checked your oil level lately?

Dnag near every 2.5 seem to get to a point where they slap on startup. This is just piston slap usually and seems ok if it goes away when warm. This is currently a problem with a lot of manufacturers due to short piston skirts with new EPA regs. Do a search on piston slap and you'll feel better. My 99 Forester has been doing this for 40,000 miles now.

25+ yrs of air cooled vw's taught me to check oil..try to change it .too heavy noise for valves..I can live with piston slap..when I bought FOREST she had 80,000+ and you couldnt hear her idle unless you got next to her..gradually getting louder..105,000+ now..still love her but when the JUSTY gets her new/old/mailorder/pig in a poke/$140.00 carbutator FOREST can take a well deserved rest..(I HOPE)..thanks for the input.. MIKE