MY 94 Subaru HAS DEVELOPED A LOUD TICKING NOISE

ARTGAL

MEMBER
1994 SUBARU LEGACY
90,000 MILES

MY 94 SUBARU HAS DEVELOPED A LOUD TICKING NOISE. IT GETS LOUDER AS I ACCELERATE. I TRYED AN OIL CHANGE WITH 1 QT RISLANE ADDITIVE, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP. NOW ITS STARTING HARD, ONLY THE 1ST START OF THE DAY. AFTER THAT IT STARTS RIGHT UP THE REST OF DAY. CCOUPLE OF PEOPLE SAID ITS PROBALY THE LIFTERS. AND HARD TO GET AT WITHOUT REMOVING ENGINE?

CAN THIS BE FIXED? How much$$
IS IT FATAL if I ignore?
Thank You!

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,328 POSTS

It is hard to tell you if the engine will die without knowing what the problem is. Can you tell me if the noise is coming from the engine? When do you hear it? Is there anything that makes is worse?

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Tuesday, February 5th, 2013 AT 2:08 AM

ARTGAL

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4 POSTS

I hear it all the time. When starting. It is quieter, and gets louder as I drive. Sounds like its the front of car. Engine I think, yes

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Tuesday, February 5th, 2013 AT 2:17 AM

ARTGAL

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4 POSTS

It sounds like ticktickticktick

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Tuesday, February 5th, 2013 AT 2:19 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,328 POSTS

Do this, take the car to a mechanic and have them just listen to it. They will have a trained ear and recognize if it is an internal bearing, lifters, or perhaps a belt driven accessory. Or, you can video the vehicle so I can hear it. Most people upload videos to youtube then I can see and hear what it is doing. Otherwise, someone near you will have to listen. NOTE: They are just listening to it, so they shouldn't charge you.

Do that and let me know what they tell you.

Joe

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Wednesday, February 6th, 2013 AT 2:00 AM

ARTGAL

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4 POSTS

Thanks Joe! The mechanic said it sounds like all the lifters are affected. Which makes him suspicious that there is more going on. Unusual for the mileage of 91000 to have this problem already. Possibly a blockage of the oil. The oil pump may need replacing. There is no oil pressure gauge on my car to tell. Wants me to leave it for a couple days. Hard to see whats going on because of the design and placement. Said to figure @ 1K for repair, maybe less. Was concerned of me driving it, because may blow engine.

I'm thinking to put $1000. Into this 19 yr old car that is only worth @ 1400. May not be the way to go. It has been a good car, low miles for the age. Don't know what else it may need soon. Don't know if I can sell it in this condition or trade it. Hm tough call.