Strange Noises from my BRZ

"Nick George" (ngphotog)
10/25/2014 at 19:22 • Filed to: brz

Need your help oppo... My BRZ has been making this strange sound for the past few weeks. When the AC is on, the car is idling, and the compressor kicks in, I hear what I can only describe as a quiet jackhammer. It happens pretty regularly when the car is cold, and I can't seem to find the source. Any ideas?

DISCUSSION (11)

TheElephant > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 19:26

Manual transmission? I had a 5 speed Legacy that made the same noise. She ran for 70k - through two pretty big accidents and heavy East Coast commuting - before I traded it in.

I wouldn't lose sleep over this.

jkm7680 > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 19:28

Probably a stealership thing. I'd bring it there.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 19:32

Hmmmm, got a better video? I haven't heard something like this from my car, but it is mostly likely not a big deal, these cars make so many annoying noises.

PushToStart > TheElephant
10/25/2014 at 19:41

Paddles behind the steering wheel indicate to me that it's an auto.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 19:48

loose heat shield maybe? They can make a ton of noise. Hard to tell through my glorious phone speakers though. But subarus love to develop odd rattles. My family's high-mileage outback has accumulated 4-5 different rattling noises, all depending on engine RPM/gear. If you put it in 2nd and let it coast down from 4k rpm it hits three separate frequencies that sound like someone playing a license plate like its a snare drum lol. But it's fine! Other than the stares the noises attract of course.

Steve in Manhattan > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 20:04

This is probably not the case since this happens just when the A/C compressor is on, but the fact that it happens when it's cold gives me pause. What I am talking about is piston slap . If you're still under warranty, get to the dealer and get them to write on the service order that you suspect piston slap. That way, if you need the top end rebuilt at, say, 74K, you should be able to get it done under warranty.

Burrito de EJ25 > YSI-what can brown do for you
10/25/2014 at 20:29

If you want refined engines, stay the hell away from Subaru built boxers. I <3 them, but yeah. They're noisy.

Like, my WRX has now developed this chirp that'll occasionally happen at around 1500 - 3000 RPMs. Not always, but when it does it's constant until I turn it off and come back to it some other time.

I've brought it up to the service department who test drove it, couldn't hear it, and said it was probably-maybe-hopefully normal.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Burrito de EJ25
10/25/2014 at 20:59

Straight up. The only thing you can do is get a louder exhaust to drown out all the noise. I went into the dealership cause the fuel pump was squeaking. I am on my 3rd one and it still squeaks. . . just something the car does. It also clatters like a old Porsche. . . except worse. And yet, nothing is broken.

RotaryLover > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 21:13

Use a flat screwdriver to locate the noise. Use it with your ear and put the screwdriver on the A/C compressor while being careful to not hit any moving parts while the engine is running. If you don't hear the noise through the screwdriver, check else where around it.

bryan40oop > Nick George
10/25/2014 at 21:50

Where is the noise coming from? Front? Rear? If it's coming from the dash it could be a blend door flapping around. That would be my guess with what little info we have here.

Burrito de EJ25 > YSI-what can brown do for you
10/25/2014 at 22:42

The fuel injectors in my EJ are so loud that it sometimes sounds like I'm driving a diesel at a drive-thrus.