My Subaru has been making a slight rattle (like marbles scrambling) under light acceleration for the last month. Brought it in thinking it was exhaust and heat shield but they didn’t notice anything. Going to be bringing it in soon. Any ideas ? See comment below for reddit video (apologies for low quality)
Rattle noise under light acceleration - not sure what it is? 2017 Subaru Impreza CVT
Mwalt
21 - 40 of 88 Posts
Joined
·
1,163 Posts
An occasional can of Techron is all you need...
I feel that adding a catch can will minimize the carbon buildup. Normally I would think that on an NA motor a catch can would not really be needed. However after seeing how much I catch in the can I've changed my mind.
ADD W1 Catch Can install - 2019 Subaru Impreza
![25351]( "25351")
ADD W1 Catch Can install - 2019 Subaru Impreza
Joined
·
226 Posts
I've said it's one of our most needed MODs for a while and I still stand by it.
Joined
·
1,103 Posts
Why are folks blaming their vehicle? ..... has anyone considered that the FUEL SUPPLIERS may be mis-representing the octane?
I measure my MPG religiously and can attest that some gasoline returns better MPG than others. I am sure this is directly correlated to lower octane which causes knocking. The knock-sensor detects and the computer compensates.
When the computer compensates for detected knocking... The MPG suffers.
What I do not understand is.... when folks are hearing knocking WHY is the computer not compensating? It would be interesting to hook up a OBDII scanner and monitor the knock-sensor, timing, and other pertinent data.
I measure my MPG religiously and can attest that some gasoline returns better MPG than others. I am sure this is directly correlated to lower octane which causes knocking. The knock-sensor detects and the computer compensates.
When the computer compensates for detected knocking... The MPG suffers.
What I do not understand is.... when folks are hearing knocking WHY is the computer not compensating? It would be interesting to hook up a OBDII scanner and monitor the knock-sensor, timing, and other pertinent data.
Joined
·
4 Posts
To add a little note on this, my crosstrek (2018, same engine) started this around 15k miles. People turning to look it was so bad. Dealer got with Subaru and Subaru said I can leave it for a bit and get a new engine or drive it till it blows and they will have notes to replace it completely anyways. 93octane wouldn't even shut it up just quiet it down slightly. I traded it at 24k for an ascent and I was told about 3k miles later it lost a cylinder and got a new engine with the new owner.
The real problem here is they made the out the box compression too high for 87oct. As they push the D-4S tech from Toyota to all the motors it will help with alot of this, but its really just a bad engine design. Cant speak if the 2.5 does the same.
The real problem here is they made the out the box compression too high for 87oct. As they push the D-4S tech from Toyota to all the motors it will help with alot of this, but its really just a bad engine design. Cant speak if the 2.5 does the same.
Joined
·
4 Posts
Chevron 93oct wouldn't help mine, nor would shell.
As for the computer compensating it cant, thats why it doesn't in this situation. Compression is fixed on our engines unlike that new Infiniti engine. Its just too high for the fuel at lower rpms. On paper 87oct really shouldn't run in anything above a 10:1 compression. They mess with timing and fueling and other stuff to push this number higher along with some stuff with knock sensors. But at the end of it all the engine should have NEVER been made at such a high compression ratio and set as 87oct.
We can use Honda as an example, king of the reliable engines. (non turbo) NEVER have they put out an engine over 9.8:1 compression for 87octane. The king "ricer" engines including the NA type r, etc. 11:1 compression. Premium fuel only, no option to run lower and have it detune. Yet Subaru decided 12.5:1 is fine for 87octane? Thats the issue were having here with so many cars, and we know its Impreza and crosstrek. Not sure if it carries over into the 2.5L or the 2.4L. I would know on the 2.4L but I got totaled out at 13k miles.
Joined
·
4 Posts
To add a little more to what I said about the crazy compression. The Honda S2000 is known as one of the highest compression factory engines out there that is reliable with pre ignition issues. It was made 11.7:1 compression. 91octane minimum but 93 recommended. It’s also an extremely expensive engine to build. Cost more to design than they made back. And it has independent 3 stage valve timing that intake and exhaust valves do what they need to without the other to “prevent” pre ignition.
Mazda does have a new 13:1 engine that gets mixed reviews but it requires 93octane. It seems to still be very new so who knows how it will be in the long run.
Mazda does have a new 13:1 engine that gets mixed reviews but it requires 93octane. It seems to still be very new so who knows how it will be in the long run.
Well, I went to Mexico and back to the Bay Area, about 1000 miles round trip, and now it doesn't make the noise anymore.
What I did, if you want to reproduce:
I filled up with 87, got the 2/3rds of my gas at a Mobil station in Buttonwillow CA (cheapest gas along the i5). Added STA-BIL 360 Marine on my fillups.
Drove aggressively and got about 27 computer mpg (My typical driving gets 33-42mpg), pedal to the metal when passing others, 90-100 was my ideal speed when the trucks didn't block the lane. Had 3 hours of idle traffic driving 18km out of Mexico in a shitshow of a freeway full of panhandlers.
I guess it melted whatever bullshit was causing the issue. Going to seafoam my crankcase and pcv intake and do an oil change in a bit.
What I did, if you want to reproduce:
I filled up with 87, got the 2/3rds of my gas at a Mobil station in Buttonwillow CA (cheapest gas along the i5). Added STA-BIL 360 Marine on my fillups.
Drove aggressively and got about 27 computer mpg (My typical driving gets 33-42mpg), pedal to the metal when passing others, 90-100 was my ideal speed when the trucks didn't block the lane. Had 3 hours of idle traffic driving 18km out of Mexico in a shitshow of a freeway full of panhandlers.
I guess it melted whatever bullshit was causing the issue. Going to seafoam my crankcase and pcv intake and do an oil change in a bit.
Sounds like an Italian tune up to me
I know sometimes this opens a can of worms but I like to do the Seafoam treatment too in the intake. The PCV hose is not the best place to introduce it though. The ideal location that will feed each cylinder runner evenly is though the throttle body. Now they make an aerosol version with an attachment to the dip tube that you can slip under the connection from the air intake to the throttle body. This will position the end of the tube to evenly distribute the spray to all cylinders more evenly. Looking at the motor there is also a nice connection right at the top of the intake above the intake that looks okay but I still think going in the throttle body is better. That also can clean the butterfly plate too.
I also think installing a catch can will minimize the risk this happening in the first place.
ADD W1 Catch Can install - 2019 Subaru Impreza
I know sometimes this opens a can of worms but I like to do the Seafoam treatment too in the intake. The PCV hose is not the best place to introduce it though. The ideal location that will feed each cylinder runner evenly is though the throttle body. Now they make an aerosol version with an attachment to the dip tube that you can slip under the connection from the air intake to the throttle body. This will position the end of the tube to evenly distribute the spray to all cylinders more evenly. Looking at the motor there is also a nice connection right at the top of the intake above the intake that looks okay but I still think going in the throttle body is better. That also can clean the butterfly plate too.
I also think installing a catch can will minimize the risk this happening in the first place.
ADD W1 Catch Can install - 2019 Subaru Impreza
Sounds like an Italian tune up to me
I know sometimes this opens a can of worms but I like to do the Seafoam treatment too in the intake. The PCV hose is not the best place to introduce it though. The ideal location that will feed each cylinder runner evenly is though the throttle body. Now they make an aerosol version with an attachment to the dip tube that you can slip under the connection from the air intake to the throttle body. This will position the end of the tube to evenly distribute the spray to all cylinders more evenly. Looking at the motor there is also a nice connection right at the top of the intake above the intake that looks okay but I still think going in the throttle body is better. That also can clean the butterfly plate too.
I also think installing a catch can will minimize the risk this happening in the first place.
ADD W1 Catch Can install - 2019 Subaru Impreza
I've got a gallon jug of seafoam, any better place youc an think to pour that than the PCV?
Also I have had an ADDW1 catch can since 2k miles, (21k now), that wasn't enough to prevent this from happening
I use to use the liquid but the aerosol is so much easier and I don't risk pouring in too much at once. I would recommend getting the aerosol and use the liquid in the tank or oil before a change. However you could aspirate some in the spot indicated here I suppose.
![25650]( "25650")
So I've been having the same issue, and I tried filling with 91 octane and the sound instantly went away completely, and then when I went back to 87 it came back as usual.
For someone who is not terribly knowledgeable in the mechanical details- what does this mean for me? I know it has to do with the compression ratio etc, but what should I do moving forward, aside from filling with 91? Is this something that can potentially damage the engine over time? I'm really stressed because I can't seem to do anything about it.
How can I describe this to my dealership? To help them maybe pinpoint or understand it better? All I know is to tell them that its rattling under light acceleration especially uphill or in hot temperatures, at specific RPM ranges. I've taken it in so many times and of course they can never replicate it in their 5 min test drives
For someone who is not terribly knowledgeable in the mechanical details- what does this mean for me? I know it has to do with the compression ratio etc, but what should I do moving forward, aside from filling with 91? Is this something that can potentially damage the engine over time? I'm really stressed because I can't seem to do anything about it.
How can I describe this to my dealership? To help them maybe pinpoint or understand it better? All I know is to tell them that its rattling under light acceleration especially uphill or in hot temperatures, at specific RPM ranges. I've taken it in so many times and of course they can never replicate it in their 5 min test drives
Joined
·
974 Posts
It could mean there's carbon buildup in the combustion chamber or on the piston tops. When that occurs, the carbon stays hot and results in fuel ignition from the carbon before the ignition system can purposely ignite the fuel. Higher octane is a temporary fix, but more carbon buildup will eventually get a larger heat mass and drive the need for higher octane again. The engine may need carbon buildup to be cleaned out of the combustion area. Subaru has a periodic use engine cleaner. There's another thread on using it.
www.impreza5.com
Impreza 2019 service frequency
Hey all, Getting my first service of my 2019 Impreza, decided to go to a reputable Subaru mechanic rather then my dealer (due to various reasons). They've advised that I should be servicing the car every ~5000kms or so as the boxer engines chew up oil, but Subaru has capped servicing every...
www.impreza5.com
Is it possible that carbon buildup can start making these noises as early as 20-30,000 Km? Because it started happening around then.. I bought it brand new and wasn't expecting something like that to happen so quickly. (I do drive frequently and racked up 30,000 km in a few monthsIt could mean there's carbon buildup in the combustion chamber or on the piston tops. When that occurs, the carbon stays hot and results in fuel ignition from the carbon before the ignition system can purposely ignite the fuel. Higher octane is a temporary fix, but more carbon buildup will eventually get a larger heat mass and drive the need for higher octane again. The engine may need carbon buildup to be cleaned out of the combustion area. Subaru has a periodic use engine cleaner. There's another thread on using it.
Impreza 2019 service frequency
Hey all, Getting my first service of my 2019 Impreza, decided to go to a reputable Subaru mechanic rather then my dealer (due to various reasons). They've advised that I should be servicing the car every ~5000kms or so as the boxer engines chew up oil, but Subaru has capped servicing every...
Joined
·
974 Posts
There's a lot of factors that go into it. Fuel quality, engine operating temperature, and air filtration quality can all affect whether there is stuff that gets burned in the combustion chamber and left behind as carbon deposits rather than being exhausted out as normally cleaner exhaust products. You can check the inside lip of your tail pipe to see if there are alot of sooty deposits (the finger test). A weak ignition system at one or more cylinder can also result in poor combustion making excessive carbon.
So I tried that tailpipe test and my finger was charcoal black after running it on the pipe. What should I be doing at this point? I'm really worried because the sound is getting more and more common and every dealership I go to is hopeless in ever replicating it even though I hear it every day driving.
Joined
·
974 Posts
Have you had the engine carbon cleaner treatment done? That's a place to start. The 3 part kit is mentioned in this thread:
www.impreza5.com
Impreza 2019 service frequency
Hey all, Getting my first service of my 2019 Impreza, decided to go to a reputable Subaru mechanic rather then my dealer (due to various reasons). They've advised that I should be servicing the car every ~5000kms or so as the boxer engines chew up oil, but Subaru has capped servicing every...
www.impreza5.com
I finally stuck a tascam recorder into my engine bay secured by almighty zip tie and went for a 15 minute ride. Trimmed it down to 30 seconds.
The noise I'm talking about will be heard in sputters at:
4s, 9s, 11s, 14s
Then you can hear it post 18s after a stop sign acceleration with feather foot on gas at 1k RPM
The noise I'm talking about will be heard in sputters at:
4s, 9s, 11s, 14s
Then you can hear it post 18s after a stop sign acceleration with feather foot on gas at 1k RPM
Hey everybody....i just recently bought a used 17 impreza and this is my first subaru. I am experiencing this same rattling sound like marbles rolling around. Usually around 40km per hour at 1100 rpm. So around 25mph. I came across this video on YouTube. It seems like there is something with the timing chain tensioner that might be causing this issue. I am pretty close to then end of the warranty period so i will take it to the dealership to check out.
Thanks
Thanks
21 - 40 of 88 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
