1998 Subaru Forester Rattling noise

Tiny
USAF GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,500 MILES
I'm hearing a low rattling/knocking sound from my 98 Subaru Forester's engine. It doesn't sound like a rod bearing failure--at least not like rod bearings I've heard before (not a consistently loud knock.)

It's loud in the morning when cold, settles down a bit when it warms up, but never really goes away at idle--sounds almost like dieseling from a few feet away, but the knock/rattle is audible up close.

When driving at 2K plus RPM flat and level road, no noise, but when accelerating/decelerating/climbing hills the rattle becomes more pronounced--from the driver's seat it almost sounds like a loose heat shield.

No loss of performance yet, just the noise.

Anyone out there who might have a lead on this?
Thursday, December 17th, 2009 AT 12:23 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,852 POSTS
Chances are one of the catylatic converters has come loose inside. Tale a rubber mallot and tap on the converter to see if that is the sound. Also, there are a lot of heat shields under the car so check them too.

Let me know what you find, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, December 17th, 2009 AT 3:32 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links