I'm new to this board so I'm not sure if I'm posting this thread in the right place. I have a 2001 Impreza RS. I bought the car brand new. A few weeks after I bought the car I started to notice a problem when I was starting my car. I went to the dealer several times (approx. 6 times) within 6 months period. At one point they had my car for 2 weeks and they were able to duplacate the problem once so they called in an engineer. Of course the engineer couldn't duplicate the problem. When I start my car it feels like something is scrapping close to the firewall and it shakes the whole body. My mechanic just installed a STi tranny mount, clutchmasters stage 3 clutch and an exedy flywheel. The start got much worse. It feels like the flywheel is going to fly up my a$$. Once the car starts everything is fine. I can't figure this one out? Can anyone give me an idea of what can cause this?

 

On Impreza Riders car (Jim) when we were doing his EJ20 conversion I went to take his EJ25 starter off and found out that his starter was only held on by one of the bolts. The starter was sitting where it should have been only the one bolt that was holding it in was loose and the metal tab that the second bolt runs through was actually snapped off from the starter housing. In all likelyhood has nothing to do with your problem but it was interesting to see considering his dealership never noticed it either.

 

hmmm, i dont know what to say. the only thing i know of to make horrlbie noise like that is a small metal shield thats attached to the bottom of the engine block at the back. we always take these off when doing a clutch or any other time we take a tranny out. one silly mechanic (no, it wasn't me) managed to get one bent up into the fly wheel. when he started the car he just about shat himself. didn't figure it out till he took the tranny all out again. however, this is most likely not the prob with your car, as it would make this noise the whole time the car is running, not just when you start it.
has the starter been replaced on your car??? when they go bad and get stuck out they stay engaged with the flywheel and make nasty sounds. would hate to see that happen to your new f/w.
as n/a mentioned i would have the bolts and other little things right around where the starter bolts up checked. you never know what might be missing...

-PJ

 

Thanks for the great info guys. I will check my strater and see if it's bolted on and not loose. Also, I'm going to get the STi motor mounts. One thing I don't get is that it mostly happens when it's hot (above 80 degrees) and it will happen in a damp, humid weather not so often in the winter. One mechanic mentioned that it might be the ECU and it has to be reprogrammed but I really dont think thats the problem. The shaking happens random. Maybe I should just get an EJ20 engine swap too, that will get rid of the problem. I wish I had the money.
Thanks,
AL