just the colder weather? Got another riddle for you guys

[GTDrifter]

so my fiance asked me to listen to a "tick" that she noticed. It only occurs on startup and goes away once the engine is at optimum temp. I listened to it and can't hear anything but the normal subaru "tick" that they all seem to have. I know it's very vague but I'll get a video this weekend and post it monday. She looked it up and said it might be the timing belt tensioner but it definitely is a far way from being full blown rod knock or valve tap.

[SilverSuby]

My startup tick has been louder then usual but a better idea of what and when has been done to the car like sparks and servicing etc.
-Logan

[GTDrifter]

^^double post lol

idk when she serviced anything like that. I guess I know where I'm starting.

[Thomistopheles]

It's probably the usual Subaru piston slap if it goes away once the engine warms up... piston expands in the bore.

[tnrknght]

I know its kinda stating the obvious but definitely check the oil level if you havent yet. My brother punctured the oil pan and it somehow drove the mile back to his house with no oil. Still drove fine after replacing the pan, just never got rid of the tick after that lol

[GTDrifter]

I know its kinda stating the obvious but definitely check the oil level if you havent yet.
if she's low on oil it's no big issue since she carries spare oil in the trunk :smt023

My brother punctured the oil pan and it somehow drove the mile back to his house with no oil. Still drove fine after replacing the pan, just never got rid of the tick after that lol
but if this is the case I'll be mad and then look for an h6 swap lol

[GTDrifter]

oh yeah, and she's using 5w30 synthetic oil, i use 10w30 synthetic, both gtx high mileage

I tried to let her compare the tick between her outback and my rs but my spooling turbo (alternator whine) is a little too loud

[Wiscon_Mark]

Trying running 10w-30 or 15w-40 in it and see if that helps. Fixed the tick on my Outback (although that was HLA noise, not piston slap).

[tnrknght]

if she's low on oil it's no big issue since she carries spare oil in the trunk For a while I was that guy with a quart of 5w-30 conventional, 5w30 synthetic, a jug of coolant, jump-pak, and miscellaneous bulbs etc. Even tho I never had a problem, several of my friends loved having me around :smt017

[GTDrifter]

might be just the weather. she said it ticked this morning but not after work when the temperatures were higher up. oil was a little low so it was filled.

[subyj]

this happened to me last year and its back again this year.

i just figured it was the cold weather because once the motor warmed up it went away

[grayguy]

I think it's just a subaru, I think they all make a little more start up noise in the cold.

[tnrknght]

^ ^ true, "engine tick, its what makes subaru a subaru" :grin:

[GTDrifter]

alright, went to the ups center to get my package. On my way I noticed my brake dashlight was on and my e-brake was down, no hard decrease in speed if I let off the throttle and still had the usual get up and go. Got my package, started my car and let the e-brake down and it turned off, drove down the street and it turned back on, went another 1/25 to 1/2 mile and it turned back off only to turn on again when I parked. Brake fluid was filled maybe 2 months ago. Just the cold weather playing games on my brake lines?

[02_Legacy]

highly doubt it, there are only a few things that will turn the brake light on:
parking brake
low fluid
proportioning valve (detects leaks by comparing front system pressure to rear system pressure)

Did you check the fluid level? That's a good place to start, then look for leaks but if the pedal is not soft I doubt this would be the issue.

[GTDrifter]

it was dark so I'll have to check it tomorrow why would it randomly decide to turn off though?

[1996Battlewagon]

Just the cold weather playing games on my brake lines?

This has happened to both my BK and my BG.


I think it's just a subaru, I think they all make a little more start up noise in the cold.

This plus a thousand.

[GTDrifter]

brake fluid is a little low but its at half. checked the rotors and found out theres a lip around the outside that the pad might be rubbing on. After finding this the brakes started grinding so I'm willing to bet I found the problem. Now I gotta find some cash. Figures it happens after I buy other parts.

[02_Legacy]

Low brake pads, or rusting rotors will not turn on the brake light, is it still doing it? I would not be surprised if your fluid resivoir was too low if its only about half full, I would put some more fluid in there to see if it fixes it. Especially if it is going on and off, the fluid may be right at the limit to where corners/braking/accelerating may be affecting where the fluid level is around the sensor.

[GTDrifter]

Well both caliper brackets are ruined, one brake pad wore unevenly and was metal on metal, rotors were falling to pieces. gotta wait til tomorrow to get another caliper bracket and slide boots. replace everything and flush and refill the fluid

[02_Legacy]

haha ya well the brakes definitely need to be done then, I am just saying that they are not what is causing your brake light to come on, unless Subaru put pad level sensors on some cars that I don't know about.

[GTDrifter]

Well it'll have new brake fluid so it'll be filled.

[GTDrifter]

alright...brakes are back together finally. brake fluid is at full, it was only low because the brake pistons were extended so far. the day after I fixed my brakes my tire popped the bead like it does every winter. Got my spare tires put on since my one front tire had bad camber wear thanks to the crappy shop that inspected my car and replaced perfectly good tires and screwed up my brakes for 3 weeks.

all it good