Hey guys,

I just noticed that my relatively new 05 WRX (19K miles) tends to make a popping noise, similar to the one made when opening a sealed jar, coming from what sounds like the exhaust area. This can be heard after driving, and I park and turn off the engine, and wait a few secs. I never noticed it before. Its not really loud or anything, but audible. This happens on a completely stock exhaust system. Is this normal?

I brought it to the dealership said that its something near the catalytic converter area, and that its normal since its some valve closing back.... i'm pretty new to impreza's so im not sure if they are snowing me or what...any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Sounds like an exhaust leak. Do yo have an aftermarket exhaust? I could be wrong. I have that popping with my HKS exhaust. My leak is where the DP matches up with the mid-pipe. I had to take the doughnut gasket out and just do a direct bolt with a 3 inch gasket. I've been meaning to fix it, just been lazy. Mine pops when I rev past 3k while im parked, and when shifting. It sounds like a couple of "bop bop" sounds.. I don't think it does any damage other than a slightly annoying sound, as long as your leak is "after" your turbo (from from what i'm told).. Maybe try and find the leak and see if that fixes the problem.

 

Its a completely stock exhaust and it only happens after i park, turn off the engine, and kinda have to walk to the exhaust and listen for it when it happens. Im not really sure how to trace it, either.

 

is it a popping or a tinking noise? the tinking noise is from the metal heat shields ussually near the headers or downpipe that distorts when cooling down.

 

Definitely a single pop noise, although every now and then there is some "tinking" noise, but thats different.

 

Well i just got back from the dealership and their official answer was this: "found emissions solenoid activating doing emissions test normal condition".


Why does it sound like i just got hosed by the dealership?

 

Probably a normal thing happening here... my previous car (accord) did that and it ran fine... I assumed it was residual cylinder pressure pushing past the valve after a few seconds...

 

hmmm my car pops but its after fires...the fact your car is off when it does it is odd

 

You could have a exhaust leak it is possible.
Check it out and make sure everything is bolted up tight.