Is this engine or tranny issues?
 

I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced this before, maybe its a normal thing for these Boxer drivetrains to do. About 80% of the time when I am driving at a constant speed (typically I use cruise control on distance drives), when I need to slow down to a stop sign or for traffic, I engage the clutch, the RPMs go to idle once in neutral, then hear a light chattering noise happen. I'm not sure if its coming from the transmission or engine. Has anyone experienced that chattering noise when engaging the clutch. I could also be explaining it differently, or not using the correct words.

The chattering is a normal thing when the engine goes below a certain RPM. I hear it when the AC comes on, or if the idle just dips. Been happening for the life of the car! I think it's tranny noise since it will go away immediately when you depress the clutch pedal..

When I first started driving this car I noticed an odd metallic "chattering" that I don't recall hearing on other MT cars.
When my son drove it, he made the sound in a different way.


Turns out it was the Torsen Diff, and different driving styles makes the sound more/less pronounced.

What about the chattering when you're stopped at a light and the idle dips?

Oh ok cool. Glad to know that you all knew at least what I was referring to haha

I get a chatter when I am slowing down (off the gas) between like 2500-750 rpm. It might be the same sound you are getting. To me it sounds like rocker noise, done it since day one never had an issue. Might I add mine is an automatic.

The chatter is normal below 600rpm but I was able to eliminate it. Check out TSB "S-SB-0040-13 : Intermittent RPM Drop" on this thread:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21868

You'll need to go to Toyota for a reflash

The chattering means that the cmashaft is loose and your pistons are slapping against everything! This is NOT NORMAL! RUN! RUN AWAY FROM THE SUBARU ENGINE!

Now that I've had my fun.. It's a totally normal thing. It'll bug you, but I've noticed it in every subaru I've owned. All the little mechanical noises coming from our cars are amplified due to the fact we don't have any sound deadening.

Thanks for the momentary heart attack.

Eh. Typical subaru engines.. what can I say? lol but this is the FA over the EJ. Hated the EJ and I've heard the FA should be much more rewarding. Thats also another reason why I have my fr-s.. Sold my wrx for it because of the EJ series engine... Well.. That, and my ej warped it's head at 116k miles and needed a total rebuild.