Starting to get worried - Engine noise

[denkigrve]

Originally Posted by sparks

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

With my engine at normal operating temp this sound happens at 60 seconds from start with AC off, and 47 seconds from start with AC on

You shared something that no everyone can see, you should change the privacy settings for that to be for everyone or upload it to YouTube.

[Laika]

Originally Posted by (K)

Does it sound like this?

Sorry for wind noise...Everything else is normal. That was a GBS Limited at idle, iPhone vid taken right above the driver's side fender where it meets the hood.

I've read that Subies are known for that tapping, but I haven't come across any tapping from the turbocharged variants.

Yes! This is absolutely it! And I've never heard that from any Subaru either and I've been around a good number of them

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by touge-n00b

You know I could have sworn I read that it utilizes port-injection at lower revs and when the engine reaches the higher rev-range that's when the direct-injection kicks in. So I was under the impression that direct-injection wouldn't be audible in neutral and low rev situations?

As I said though, as I usually am, I could be totally wrong here.

No, it does use the direct injectors a little bit at idle and low speeds. Mid-range is direct injection only and high-end is both again. High pressure fuel injectors are noisy. The Evo X has port injectors but they still make a lot of noise.

[(K)]

Originally Posted by Laika

Yes! This is absolutely it! And I've never heard that from any Subaru either and I've been around a good number of them

I caught the tapping from another thread, too. The one with the Subie engineer. It's very faint (and I'm probably imagining it), but around the 20 second mark and on, you can hear it. Kind of have to drown out the chatter between the folks in the video, but yea.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa4Fs6H9nP0"]Subaru BRZ Sighting In NEW YORK CITY - YouTube[/ame]

Anyone else with a BRZ want to confirm the tapping? G37s had a similar, VVEL related tapping issue which is common in about 1 out of every 10 cars or so in the early models. I believe the fix was switching to Nissan ester oil. I think the conclusion was that it was normal and expected, but the magic oil would get rid of it completely if it bothered the owners that much.

In all actuality, I accept it as normal operation noise. Normal, annoying, operation noise. I think you should speak up about it during your next service visit and make sure they document it.

[davisk6]

100% Normal. Boxer motors have a "tapping" noise at idle and may sound like a diesel to some. The noise you are hearing is the combination of the typical boxer "tapping" and the DI injectors. If you are really spooked, have the dealer check it out.

[FakeWhiteMan]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

If its anything like the Ecotec 2.0T engine, its just the high pressure fuel pump needed for DI. I had a Sky Redline and at startup it would click rapidly. Once it warmed up, it would click about twice a second. I remember the first time I noticed it...it freaked me out a ton!

Yeah I had a turbo cobalt SS and the DI on that was louder if I remember correctly.

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by Laika

I feel like a parent with a week old baby that just sneezed and now think that she must be horribly,horribly sick.

This. I saw your post where you already took it in to get a speaker cover replaced. Just enjoy it and stop worrying.

[PERRIN_Jeff]

Boxers in general do not make any tapping noises. The tapping from your FA20 engine is 100% from the Direct injection injectors firing. As some have pointed out, the fuel pressure is very high and when they fire the injector, it uses 80V-ish to pull the injector open. This creates the noise you hear.

What I have found is that sometimes at idle, the DI injectors are not firing at all and its much quieter. Then sometimes is firing 100% of the time at idle. Probably a way that Subaru cleans out the engine, or tests out the cats, or a lean burn situation. Who knows for sure. This creates that noise that isn't always there. That isn't good for customers as its going to create a lot of calls to the dealer over nothing.

[Tradewind]

Subaru BOXERS are not loud engines at all, in this specific case it will be the DI, there arent many quiet high pressure fuel injection systems

[Laika]

Originally Posted by King Tut

This. I saw your post where you already took it in to get a speaker cover replaced. Just enjoy it and stop worrying.

Well my car is under warranty and since it came like that it's getting fixed. I'm enjoying my car just fine.


Jeff, thanks a lot for mentioning that bit about the noise being either 100 or 0% at idle. Sounds like my cars just making usual Subaru news

[sparks]

Originally Posted by denkigrve

You shared something that no everyone can see, you should change the privacy settings for that to be for everyone or upload it to YouTube.

I changed it to Public

FYI - I sent a Quality Monitoring Report to Subaru about this and received two calls yesterday. We'll see if this is normal or an issue.

[sparks]

Post remove

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by Laika

I heard my engine ticking the first day I got my car at idle and my friends and I disregarded it as direct injection noises.

Today I swear it sounded louder. Especially when it was cold. Still just normal direct injection noises? Because I could still hear it easily when I got home from work (15 mile, 45 minute commute).

I can post a video if needed.

Post some videos.

[AzFranz]

Someone told me about the "crickets" we'll be hearing. oddly shortly after they told me this I heard a chriping sound that sounded like a cricket. Odd. The only other noise I have is simply when I downshift and the car is at higher rpm I get a slightly high pitched vibration from the front left footwell or door. The ticking sound will last forever...DI systems are just that way. I suggest dulling it down with a catback!