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Piston Slap

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Is it supposed to go completely away when the motor warms up? Mine does not. It does get much quieter, but I can still hear the tick-tick-tick.

What should I do?

Oh, it's the 04 Forester that has it. Only 24,000 miles too. :(

Tick Tick Tick isn't piston slap, it's sticking HLA's.

 

I thought it was all solid lifters in 2.5s and phase II 2.2s?

My 97 Legacy has always done that tick tick tick thing. I figured it was another quirky Subie.

Looks like you are still under warranty (04 with 24,000 miles) . I would get thee soon to a dealer and pitch a bit@h.:headbang:

Is it supposed to go completely away when the motor warms up? Mine does not. It does get much quieter, but I can still hear the tick-tick-tick.

What should I do?

Oh, it's the 04 Forester that has it. Only 24,000 miles too. :(

Is it supposed to go completely away when the motor warms up? Mine does not. It does get much quieter, but I can still hear the tick-tick-tick.

What should I do?

Oh, it's the 04 Forester that has it. Only 24,000 miles too. :(

I agree! Moreover, I recomend also complaining in writing. Don't let them get away with the old, " thats just how Subarus are." My friend has a '00 outback, with 80k, 2.5, with nary a tick.

Has this just started with the colder weather? I notice that during the colder months I'll get more of a 'knock' (not really a tick) on startup that goes away.

 

I've noticed a ticking sound on my '02, but i'm pretty sure it's just the injectors... I believe that a bad timing belt tensioner might also tick excessivelyif it's bad.

 

Def let the dealer know, esp with such low mileage.

A bad new-style tensioner will sound much louder than typical suby piston slap or lifter ticking. It has a definite metal-on-metal sound that clearly comes from behind the timing belt cover. Start to diagnose the problem by listening to the engine and trying to hear where the noise is coming from.

  • Author

It's going back to the dealer tomorrow. I'll let you all know what the prognosis is.

  • Author

Well the dealer's diagnosis was piston slap. They said the tolerance was such that I will be getting a new short block in a week! Didn't even have to argue. Kinda nice.

Yippee... I love a happy ending.

Well the dealer's diagnosis was piston slap. They said the tolerance was such that I will be getting a new short block in a week! Didn't even have to argue. Kinda nice.

Glad that things are working out for you! Sounds like you have a good dealer.

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