~Concerns~
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New England
Posts: 358
Car Info: Red 04 WRX Wagon
~Concerns~
I have some questions for you folks. Any info would be appreciated.
I purchased an '04 Red WRX wagon in september. Talk about pure enjoyment! But there are somethings I am concerned about.
1. In the cold mornings of New Hampshire I do let the car warm up for at least 30 seconds but the engine makes a slight knocking noise when I start to drive it to work. Is this just the engine? I used to drive a Civic with a smaller engine. I dunno if it makes this noise b/c of its size.
2. I notice a great deal of exhaust coming out of my muffler in the morning as well. Is this normal? It doesn't look like a blown head gasket or anything. But it just looks excessive.
3. Finally, When I drive at highway speeds and there is wind blowing a bit I notice my hood vibrating. Does anyone who owns an '04 or '03 notice anything like this? I do realize the hood is extremely light but I have never seen a hood vibrate like that before.
The Bar0n
:banana:
I purchased an '04 Red WRX wagon in september. Talk about pure enjoyment! But there are somethings I am concerned about.
1. In the cold mornings of New Hampshire I do let the car warm up for at least 30 seconds but the engine makes a slight knocking noise when I start to drive it to work. Is this just the engine? I used to drive a Civic with a smaller engine. I dunno if it makes this noise b/c of its size.
2. I notice a great deal of exhaust coming out of my muffler in the morning as well. Is this normal? It doesn't look like a blown head gasket or anything. But it just looks excessive.
3. Finally, When I drive at highway speeds and there is wind blowing a bit I notice my hood vibrating. Does anyone who owns an '04 or '03 notice anything like this? I do realize the hood is extremely light but I have never seen a hood vibrate like that before.
The Bar0n
:banana:
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 492
Car Info: 2003 Silver WRX Sedan, 1982 Corvette Collectors Ed.
If its cold out mine makes a nicle cloud of "steam" behind it in the morning.
Also my hood moves a bit while at highway speeds. I think this is the norm.
Also my hood moves a bit while at highway speeds. I think this is the norm.
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
To test your exhaust content hold a 8.5 x11 inche sheet of printer paper close to the exhaust opening. If you see anything besides the dull dingy black soot you may have a problem. I know that this does not work all the time so no flames. I also beleive that they have test strips to determin exhust content. I only saw them once. They test for coolant in the exhaust system on startup.
Blue
Blue
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 461
Car Info: 04 Java Black Sedan
What you are experiencing is normal. I hae an 04 with about 3200 miles on it. I let it warm up about 30 secs or so, but it is important not to beat on it before it fully warms up. I generally stay below 3k rpm's and out of boost till it is warm.
As far as the hood goes, don't worry about it. The hood on the 04, possibly 02 and 03, is made out of some sort of aluminum alloy and is extremely light. It tend to flop around a little at highway speeds, but won't hurt anything.
You will always see more exhaust gasses coming out of your tailpipe when the cats are cold. If the gasses lessen once your car is warmed up, you should be fine. Cats work through heat. Without heat they are worthless.
As far as the hood goes, don't worry about it. The hood on the 04, possibly 02 and 03, is made out of some sort of aluminum alloy and is extremely light. It tend to flop around a little at highway speeds, but won't hurt anything.
You will always see more exhaust gasses coming out of your tailpipe when the cats are cold. If the gasses lessen once your car is warmed up, you should be fine. Cats work through heat. Without heat they are worthless.
#6
VIP Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Funtown
Posts: 25,095
Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer
Not sure on this. I've never heard it on my car, but usually the radio is up. I'll check it tomorrow. It doesn't seem like it's normal, but like I said, I don't know.
Mine puffs quite a bit of steam in the mornings too.
The hood flexing is normal. The WRX hood is allumunium and is very light, so it will flex a bit. I think it's also a bit more noticeable on your car because of the bigger hood scoop. You should see the STi scoop! That thing flexes like mad.
Mine puffs quite a bit of steam in the mornings too.
The hood flexing is normal. The WRX hood is allumunium and is very light, so it will flex a bit. I think it's also a bit more noticeable on your car because of the bigger hood scoop. You should see the STi scoop! That thing flexes like mad.
#9
"at least 30 seconds"???? That should be enough time to heat up things from 20degrees to 200 degrees, geeze its only 4.8 Qts of engine oil and about 2.5 gallons of antifreeze and a gallon or so of transmission oil + differential gear oil and the 300-400 lbs of steel and aluminum in the engine/tranny. ...................
#10
VIP Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Funtown
Posts: 25,095
Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer
Originally posted by andyhidley
"at least 30 seconds"???? That should be enough time to heat up things from 20degrees to 200 degrees, geeze its only 4.8 Qts of engine oil and about 2.5 gallons of antifreeze and a gallon or so of transmission oil + differential gear oil and the 300-400 lbs of steel and aluminum in the engine/tranny. ...................
"at least 30 seconds"???? That should be enough time to heat up things from 20degrees to 200 degrees, geeze its only 4.8 Qts of engine oil and about 2.5 gallons of antifreeze and a gallon or so of transmission oil + differential gear oil and the 300-400 lbs of steel and aluminum in the engine/tranny. ...................
Actually it's been said that idling for about 30 seconds and then driving soft (keeping out of the turbo as best you can) until the engine reaches normal operating temps is one of the better ways to go.
Obviously, though, you are the man and know everything
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: So. Ca., CA USA
Posts: 261
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Originally posted by sonicsuby
wow. you're friendly.
Actually it's been said that idling for about 30 seconds and then driving soft (keeping out of the turbo as best you can) until the engine reaches normal operating temps is one of the better ways to go.
Obviously, though, you are the man and know everything
wow. you're friendly.
Actually it's been said that idling for about 30 seconds and then driving soft (keeping out of the turbo as best you can) until the engine reaches normal operating temps is one of the better ways to go.
Obviously, though, you are the man and know everything
btw, I agree with you. Idling your car is unecessary beyond a few seconds. Just drive it easy until all of the vehicles components (including the engine) have time to reach their operating temperatures. An oil temp gauge is the best method to monitor this in my opinion. It can also be done with an oil pressure gauge if you know what to look for.
- Kean
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: So. Ca., CA USA
Posts: 261
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Re: ~Concerns~
Originally posted by Red Bar0n
1. In the cold mornings of New Hampshire I do let the car warm up for at least 30 seconds but the engine makes a slight knocking noise when I start to drive it to work. Is this just the engine? I used to drive a Civic with a smaller engine. I dunno if it makes this noise b/c of its size.
1. In the cold mornings of New Hampshire I do let the car warm up for at least 30 seconds but the engine makes a slight knocking noise when I start to drive it to work. Is this just the engine? I used to drive a Civic with a smaller engine. I dunno if it makes this noise b/c of its size.
Originally posted by Red Bar0n
2. I notice a great deal of exhaust coming out of my muffler in the morning as well. Is this normal? It doesn't look like a blown head gasket or anything. But it just looks excessive.
2. I notice a great deal of exhaust coming out of my muffler in the morning as well. Is this normal? It doesn't look like a blown head gasket or anything. But it just looks excessive.
Originally posted by Red Bar0n
3. Finally, When I drive at highway speeds and there is wind blowing a bit I notice my hood vibrating. Does anyone who owns an '04 or '03 notice anything like this? I do realize the hood is extremely light but I have never seen a hood vibrate like that before.
3. Finally, When I drive at highway speeds and there is wind blowing a bit I notice my hood vibrating. Does anyone who owns an '04 or '03 notice anything like this? I do realize the hood is extremely light but I have never seen a hood vibrate like that before.
- Kean
#13
i have MY02RS and even when the gauge says it's warmed up, I still get the knocking sound until it really gets warmed up. I brought it into the dealership before and they told me it was the hydrolic tensioner, but it has gotten replace twice already. I gave up since I am not getting any CEL and the car drives just fine.
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: So. Ca., CA USA
Posts: 261
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Originally posted by iBlueVirus
i have MY02RS and even when the gauge says it's warmed up, I still get the knocking sound until it really gets warmed up. I brought it into the dealership before and they told me it was the hydrolic tensioner, but it has gotten replace twice already. I gave up since I am not getting any CEL and the car drives just fine.
i have MY02RS and even when the gauge says it's warmed up, I still get the knocking sound until it really gets warmed up. I brought it into the dealership before and they told me it was the hydrolic tensioner, but it has gotten replace twice already. I gave up since I am not getting any CEL and the car drives just fine.
- Kean
#15
sonicsuby.. Sorry for my reply.. He did not say "drive softly" he said "at least 30 seconds" BIG difference.
Read some of my other posts, I only post facts jack, no assumptions or untruths or " I think this is how it works"
So, "Obviously, though, since I am the man and know everything"
My presence is no longer wanted here... Later
Read some of my other posts, I only post facts jack, no assumptions or untruths or " I think this is how it works"
So, "Obviously, though, since I am the man and know everything"
My presence is no longer wanted here... Later