Rattles/Squeaks in the BRZ?

[squat12]

Originally Posted by MEP

I get my car in 3 weeks and all these squeaks and rattles are disconcerting. I'm coming from an Acura TSX which is silent in the interior - Literally nothing has rattled for 100K miles.

I've got 2500 miles on my GBS Limited 6MT, and I have not a single rattle or squeak anywhere in the vehicle. I also have none of the other issues other people have reported, like the taillight condensation, idle variation, etc, except for the nav portion of the head unit being flaky WRT satellite acquisition. I am thoroughly happy with my purchase.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by squat12

I've got 2500 miles on my GBS Limited 6MT, and I have not a single rattle or squeak anywhere in the vehicle. I also have none of the other issues other people have reported, like the taillight condensation, idle variation, etc, except for the nav portion of the head unit being flaky WRT satellite acquisition. I am thoroughly happy with my purchase.

Do you use ethanol free gas? I have a feeling people who have access to ethanol free gas has a lot fewer issues with vibrations/rattles because the engine runs smoother so nothing gets vibrate loose from the rough engine.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Chauntalei

Just posting to say I've had my car for 2 months now, and not a single rattle besides the speaker grille (which is my own fault). So, not all of us are having issues. :P

Ethanol free gas? Lucky you...

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Do you use ethanol free gas? I have a feeling people who have access to ethanol free gas has a lot fewer issues with vibrations/rattles because the engine runs smoother so nothing gets vibrate loose from the rough engine.

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Ethanol free gas? Lucky you...

[squat12]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Do you use ethanol free gas? I have a feeling people who have access to ethanol free gas has a lot fewer issues with vibrations/rattles because the engine runs smoother so nothing gets vibrate loose from the rough engine.

Every tank from brand new has been filled with 92 octane Chevron, 10% ethanol IIRC, from the same filling station near my house.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by squat12

Every tank from brand new has been filled with 92 octane Chevron, 10% ethanol IIRC, from the same filling station near my house.

Interesting, you are the 1st person I've seen/heard with decent amount of miles that does not have the chrip that uses 10% ethanol gas.

[squat12]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Interesting, you are the 1st person I've seen/heard with decent amount of miles that does not have the chrip that uses 10% ethanol gas.

I should note that my claim of no chirping is made with me having only monitored the engine noises from the cabin, not with the hood open while the engine is running. I've actually wondered if I do have the noise, and I just haven't been able to hear it, or have heard it and wasn't bothered by it. I have no plans to open the hood and test that condition, I'd rather stay ignorant in this case I think. That is unless I begin hearing that the chirping noise is prelude to some larger mechanical issue.

After hearing people complain about specific transmission/drivetrain noises, I realized that I had heard some of the same types of (muted) sounds coming from my car, but I interpreted them as normal mechanical noises, not sounds to be bothered by and worried about. Perhaps it's an issue of perception.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by squat12

I should note that my claim of no chirping is made with me having only monitored the engine noises from the cabin, not with the hood open while the engine is running. I've actually wondered if I do have the noise, and I just haven't been able to hear it, or have heard it and wasn't bothered by it. I have no plans to open the hood and test that condition, I'd rather stay ignorant in this case I think. That is unless I begin hearing that the chirping noise is prelude to some larger mechanical issue.

After hearing people complain about specific transmission/drivetrain noises, I realized that I had heard some of the same types of (muted) sounds coming from my car, but I interpreted them as normal mechanical noises, not sounds to be bothered by and worried about. Perhaps it's an issue of perception.

The chirp will get louder to where you can hear it at a stop light. But with the amount of miles you have you should have gotten to that point. Do you drive your car easy? Meaning under 4K rpm and do not redline the car?

[squat12]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

The chirp will get louder to where you can hear it at a stop light. But with the amount of miles you have you should have gotten to that point. Do you drive your car easy? Meaning under 4K rpm and do not redline the car?

I generally drive fairly easy, meaning that I don't run the car much over 4K while in town, but usually twice or so a day there is an opportunity to gun it where I'm getting on a highway, and in that case I run the engine up to 6-7K in a couple gears.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by squat12

I generally drive fairly easy, meaning that I don't run the car much over 4K while in town, but usually twice or so a day there is an opportunity to gun it where I'm getting on a highway, and in that case I usually run the engine up to 6-7K in a couple gears.

Well, keep us posted if you hear anything.

[WRXGuy1]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Do you use ethanol free gas? I have a feeling people who have access to ethanol free gas has a lot fewer issues with vibrations/rattles because the engine runs smoother so nothing gets vibrate loose from the rough engine.

Seems to me that most of the vibrations are causing from normal road vibrations, and not so much from the engine. At least in my case 99% of the rattles are coming from the rear.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by WRXGuy1

Seems to me that most of the vibrations are causing from normal road vibrations, and not so much from the engine. At least in my case 99% of the rattles are coming from the rear.

Mine seems to have lots of vibration from the engine/transmission area in higher rpms. Not sure if it's got something to do with the 10% ethanol gas or just how the FA engine is at high rpms.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

I made a thread for the clicking/ticking noise coming from the rear, which actually is from the rear deck.

***************
* Rear Deck Noise *
***************

Note: This is not the 3rd brake light housing rattling noise.

[Chauntalei]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Ethanol free gas? Lucky you...

I'm in the Bay Area, so I do have ethanol I believe. I just haven't heard anything other than the occasional speaker rattle when I crank the tunes. I'm closing in on 3k miles, and I followed 1k mile break in, but after that I have taken it up to redline numerous times.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

People who don't hear any weird noises could be just because they have their stereo on? Maybe you'll start hearing noises when you drive with no music. I hardly have my musics on when I drive.

[Chauntalei]

Originally Posted by Sigh-on-Rice

People who don't hear any weird noises could be just because they have their stereo on? Maybe you'll start hearing noises when you drive with no music. I hardly have my musics on when I drive.

Stereo off the majority of the time. I've seen the idle issue, I've had issues with Bluetooth in the stereo, but I've had no odd noises or rattles or anything. It's possible they're happening during the short times I have the radio on, but I might just be lucky.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Originally Posted by Chauntalei

Stereo off the majority of the time. I've seen the idle issue, I've had issues with Bluetooth in the stereo, but I've had no odd noises or rattles or anything. It's possible they're happening during the short times I have the radio on, but I might just be lucky.

I see. You're the lucky one.
On a good time, my noise free ride is about 5 minutes.
I don't really mind the rattles. Most of the cars have some type of those noises. I just can't stand the ticking/clicking noise from the rear.

[brzmass12]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

I have a feeling what you are hearing is the tweet sound from the AC compressor kicking in. Next time turn off and on you AC when you are driving and see if it comes on. My AC compressor makes that exact noise you are describing.

You are a freaking genius! I shut the A/C off during my ride home and it was quiet as can be. As soon as I turned the A/C on it kept making the squeak noise.

Now I just have to go to the dealer and see if they can fix it as it can get awfully hot in the northeast in the summer.

Thanks again!!

[NRGBalanced]

Originally Posted by brzmass12

Now I just have to go to the dealer and see if they can fix it as it can get awfully hot in the northeast in the summer.

I wish you luck - I took mine to the dealer with the same issue and they made a big deal that they had tightened the belt up using the idler pulley adjustment. It didn't change anything. If you want it fixed, you'll have to be forceful.

[brzmass12]

Originally Posted by NRGBalanced

I wish you luck - I took mine to the dealer with the same issue and they made a big deal that they had tightened the belt up using the idler pulley adjustment. It didn't change anything. If you want it fixed, you'll have to be forceful.

I saw that you are from Boston as well. Mind if I ask you the name of the dealer?

[Subie]

Originally Posted by NRGBalanced

I wish you luck - I took mine to the dealer with the same issue and they made a big deal that they had tightened the belt up using the idler pulley adjustment. It didn't change anything. If you want it fixed, you'll have to be forceful.

Call Subaru. For the benefit of not only you but the community at large we need to make sure issues like this one are addressed.

[NRGBalanced]

Originally Posted by brzmass12

I saw that you are from Boston as well. Mind if I ask you the name of the dealer?

PM'ed. They're who I purchased from in the Waltham area and they don't have a stellar service reputation.

Originally Posted by Subie

Call Subaru. For the benefit of not only you but the community at large we need to make sure issues like this one are addressed.

Thanks for the advice. What is the protocol for this? Is SOA looking for technical issues, or are you suggesting I comment on my lack of satisfaction with the service I received?