My ea82 spfi motor is tapping when going up hill's, at first i figured it was the valves (they used to tap at idle due to a fram filter >.< ) when i replaced the filter the idle tapped stoped a lil bit after, but when driving there is a loud repetive tap, i hope its not a rod, any suggestions? Forgot to mention it only does it on up-hill driving.

Hmmmm. The so called tick of death is usually there at idle -- sounds like what you had before. And, it isn't that much to worry about, ironically. A louder, more deep, and less clicky, tap, sounds more like a main bearing or rod.... and that would be more likely to get worse under load. But, subarus very rarely have lower end issues, since they have such a short stroke. Hmmm.... it doesn't sound too good, whatever it is.

 

Z

run some marvens mystery oil in it and see if that clears it up.

Is it a metalic knocking noise or could it be spark knock? Being that it only shows up under load going up hill makes me think spark knock

working over an internet connection hampers us, so fill us in on:

mileage and overall condition of motor?

what is the status on tune up stuff - plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil pump seals?

 

First step should be to change the oil. On these HLA equipped motors you can't really change the oil too often. If it's discolored at all, change it. The more often you keep fresh honey colored oil in there the better off the HLA's and your sanity will be!

 

Tapping up hill sounds like an axle issue to me, but I would think you could tell if that was an axle or engine problem. You think there's any chance it could be an axle?

 

It is odd that it's uphill. If it's the engine then I'd want to know:

 

Any oil leaks?

Has the oil pump ever been resealed?

Does it vary at all or always sounds exactly the same?

 

If it is the engine you'll want to find out if it's HLA, oil pump, or something worse related.

put some hi test gas in it and see if it helps

 

That will rule out/in

predetonation due to

carbon build up or advance ig timing.

The motor only has 127k on it, the oil pump is working great, 14 at idle, middle when warmed up and going. The oil is only 2k miles old, but the sparks plugs do need changed, i get paid today so im getting some plugs, belts, fuel filter and ill replace the oil just to get a baseline. Im sure its not a CV. hope that helps a lil more=)

Yeah... maybe it's just knock from low octane gas. Mine doesn't like the 85 on hills so I use the 87 (mid grade in CO).

 

Also, CV's can make knocking noises going up hills too.... especially if they are non OEM rebuilds (in my experience -- the cheapo rebuilts only lasted about 15k before they were knocking under hard load -- not under turns though).

 

Z

I use 89 octane fuel, thats low grade where i live.

too bad you can't get it to do it while idling, be nice to know where the sound is originating from.

 

make sure the oil filter isn't dented or something.

 

the pressure sounds good, but isn't the whole story. the mickey mouse seal on the oil pump usually gets deformed in EA/ER series engines and causes air bubbles to get in the oil, which is bad mojo for HLA's.

 

it would be very odd to have internal engine issues, like rod knock on an EA82....unless it's had some prior serious issue.