Yes my friends, my newly aquired Loyale has the dreaded "tick tick tick" that increases with RPM. From what I hear the "Mickey Mouse" shaped gasket on the oil pump is the most likely culprit. I went by Autozone this evening and they did not have a seal (not even availible) but thet did have a replacement pump manufactured by Melling. Figuring I'm going to go ahead and do the pump while I'm at it, what else can I do to fight the tick? An engine flush, with some ATF maybe? All suggestions are welcome.

Do a search on "tick of death" or "TOD".

 

Truth is Subies will run forever with the HLA tick... its more like the Tick-O-Life.

 

Gary

Does the tick move around, or is it just audible on one cylinder?

Do a search on "tick of death" or "TOD".

 

Truth is Subies will run forever with the HLA tick... its more like the Tick-O-Life.

 

Gary

 

Thanks Gary!

 

I have heard a lot regarding this common problem...it's good to have the piece of mind that it isn't serious; but since it is annoying and within my reach I will definitely take care of it. I'm wondering how hard it is to change out the oil pump now...:-\

 

Also, Autozone wants a hundred bucks for a new oil pump. I wonder if I could score one cheaper somewhere else, with a new gasket to go with it?

honestly doing the whole pump is unnessicary many people swear you have to change it evrey100k but there are equally many going 200k plus on the origonal seal with no problems

i personally just resealed mine and it's the best mod i have done to my car it runs great plenty of oil pressure even at idle

new pump n seal worked for my hatch but the old pump is still good. it was just an impulse buy. you could try an engine flush with atf, maybe seafoam.

Does the tick move around, or is it just audible on one cylinder?

 

I'll have to look into that...maybe I'll get somebody to rev it up while I stand outside of the car and listen. I only heard it run for a minute but will be bringing the car home tomorrow after having just purchased it this weekend.

Discount import around here has the OEM pumps (Parut) for like $60.

 

Here's the deal - on the EA81 they DO need to be changed every 100k or so. On the EA82 only somtimes - but doing the pump on the EA82 is a 2 - 3 hour affair IF you have done it before (timing belts and all that junk - I'm talking WITH belt covers). Personally $60 is worth it if I don't have to tear into it a second time. Oil pressure is the most important fluid spec you need to care for - followed closely by coolant temp. Having already lost an engine (blown rod) to bad oil pressure, I just don't mess around with anything I'll be keeping and driving. All my rigs - both EA81's and my EA82 have new pumps, they also ALL have hydro lifters, and nary a tick to be found.

 

GD

general i accept your peace arrangement

general i accept your peace arrangement

 

Ya - it's cool - this IS a forum and all us gear heads are entitled to our (admittedly sometimes quirky) opinions. I use the 100k as a general rule for all subaru's. The EA81 and the Justy both share this common fault it seems - biggest downfall for those engines. With new oil pumps both will last 500k+.

 

I agree that the EA82 is much better about this tho. I'm just so damn paranoid about oil pressure after losing the battle with my wagon's engine. I'm a pretty meticulous type, and to have basically caused the destruction of that engine causes me great pain. I did change the oil regularly (usually after each off-road trip). But I drowned the engine in swamp water at least 4 times, and who knows how much dust managed it's way into the crankcase on gravel roads those few summers.... the rat bastard digi-dash with no OP guage I blame for half of it. By the time the idiot light on the dash started flickering at idle it was too late.... I miss that engine - it was quite strong.

 

GD

had a similar experance on the xt-6 under the alternator comming off the main line there is a 3 inch long coolant line mine gaind a 1mm round hole in it ... while i was going down the freeway lost all the coolant and the temp sender never flickerd after an 80 mile drive it threw a rod at 5k 2 miles from my house

i also abused the heck out of that engine

so i completely understand the guilt and paranoia you have there i'm the same way about heater hoses