12 replies to this topic

[Steveee]

Hey Lads,
My engine bay started to make a bit of a ticking noise the other day sorta light but distinct ticking, (sounds like a chainsaw in the vid but its deceiving).
Took it to the mechanic and he seemed to think it was the timing chain... he tightened some things and said it should be a bit quieter now, its only gonna get louder.
and would cost about $2k to get it replaced, but apparently it shouldn't really affect anything, which it hasn't seemed to although it is just pretty loud and irritating now... So Im just curious if anyone has had this before or thinks they know what it is. Shes an 02 h6 outback.
Thanks



As i mentioned above, it sounds a lot more aggressive in the video.

[Alex]

H6 don't have a timing belt, they have a timing chain.

[Steveee]

That would be what i mean ... lol

[Alex]

Mean what, exactly?

[XXB4XX]

I think he meant to say he knows its timing chain :-)

It could be one of your compressors, timing chain, sprockets, tensioners, bearings, lifters etc..

Does the rattle get louder with acceleration as in matching the revs?

[RX25SE]

Can you tell if it's to one side of the engine or at the front?

You could grab a short length of garden hose, put one end to your ear and move the other end over the engine.
This makes it easier to pinpoint where the sound is coming from.


What happens to the noise is you let the engine idle for a few moments, then snap the throttle and let it return to idle?


Is the noise any different when the engine is first started from cold?

[Adam]

Dads h6 has a nosy timing chain, does it get worse once the engine is warm?

[Steveee]

its around the front left if your looking into the bay, but it doesnt seem to change at all from warm/cold, idle/throttle...

[RX25SE]

Changed the engine oil lately?

[Steveee]

Well, its been in for a service the other day, so im sure they would of checked that, but ill have a look otherwise
thanks

[Shaz]

If it went in for a service, make sure there is enough oil in the motor.

Cheers,
Shazza

[Steveee]

Can the chain become all rattly just from the wrong oil?
Just from my limited knowledge, Im told the Suby motors require premium fuel as they are so finely tuned... could this mean they also require a specific type of oil? because it was just 2 days after the car had been to the mechanic that it began to rattle.

Thanks

[Shiv]

Hey Steve, you should take it back to the mechanic ASAP and just tell them "hey I gave my car to you, got it back and its developed a rattle shortly after". Any decent mechanic will take time out to inspect it because if it turns out to be something serious, they know they can be held liable.

That's what I'd do.

Sometimes diagnosing problems on the internet can be tricky.