Hey all. My WRX seems to be making a clock clock clock noise when cold. Actually it doesn't start immediatly when the car fires up on a cold morning, instead it becomes audible once the idle lowers and the engine gets just a little heat in it. It gets a little worse when I first tip in to the throttle, but goes away entirely once I the engine is warmed up and I have driven five or six miles. I just got my car back from the dealer today for the clutch judder fix, and at first they said they couldn't reproduce the clock noise of the motor. Once I sat in the car with the mechanic and pointed out the noise, he said it was normal and was either the lifters or slight piston slap. Both of which I have read about on this board as being somewhat normal. The noise isn't overly loud, infact it can't be heard over the injector and fan noise when under the hood. Instead it can only really be heard from within the cab with the windows up, AC off, and radio off. My oil was metal free, so it doesn't seem like a bearing, plus it doesn't have that "bark" noise. My question is this: Should I take their word, get used to our funky subie noises, and quit being so ****? Or should I take the long drive from Walnut Creek to Carlson to get a second opinion, which would be a HUGE pain in the a$$. Any input would be great.

-Chris

 

bump... c'mon, no input?

-Chris

 

bump... I have done searches and everything. If you guys think I am crazy and this is all in my head, let me know!

-Chri

 

Cam belt tensioner, mebbe....