Impreza help?

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sneakypete123

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United Kingdom
Hello all,

Last Sunday I bought a 2004 Impreza WRX, just have a bit of a problem that maybe somone could shed some light on.

Car sounds sweet as a nut very tight feel to steering etc. Only mods to car is a blow off valve, Has full service history and was last serviced 300 miles ago. Car has 83,000 miles on the clock.

So heres the problem, at 5,500 rpm the noise of the car changed dramitically from a nice whistle to a sort of high pitched squeal/whine now its doing it at 3,500 - 4,000 rpm.

Doesnt have a boost gauge but I dont think its loosing boost as the performance seems the same. But cant hear that noise when stationary and rev it.

Clutch is very heavy and short but was told they are supposed to be like that. Tried on the scooby forums but everyone there seems to think you dont know what a turbo sounds like.
 
You do know what a turbo sounds like right?

I'd take my car to the mechanics when I'm thinking there's something wrong :)
 
Never owned an Impreza or been in one but before this had an Audi S3 1.8t for a year and before that an Audi A3 1.8t sport for 3 years.

Local garage is shut till monday. Garage I bought it from says I need to phone the warrenty company and they are shut till monday.
 
Without knowing more, it sounds like the turbo is letting go. But, I have also seen intake plumbing, the plumbing from the turbo to the intake, develop cracks and whistle too. Highly unlikely it's the aluminum, but the fittings could be getting old, rubber and nylon going bad, etc. Have you opened the hood and tried to track down the whistle? Is it hard to locate? If its coming directly from the turbo, just make sure all the fittings and plumbing is in good shape before you toss money at a turbo. Basic assumptions here, but without more to go off of, I'm a little stuck. Something else, does it have a smog pump? I really don't know, just wondering.
 
XS
Without knowing more, it sounds like the turbo is letting go. But, I have also seen intake plumbing, the plumbing from the turbo to the intake, develop cracks and whistle too. Highly unlikely it's the aluminum, but the fittings could be getting old, rubber and nylon going bad, etc. Have you opened the hood and tried to track down the whistle? Is it hard to locate? If its coming directly from the turbo, just make sure all the fittings and plumbing is in good shape before you toss money at a turbo. Basic assumptions here, but without more to go off of, I'm a little stuck. Something else, does it have a smog pump? I really don't know, just wondering.
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The problem is it sounds fine when stationary only hear it whilst driving. passenger says its coming from my side (RHD) and I think its coming from the passenger side. Does it through every gear.

From my little understanding the bearings in the turbo are fed with engine oil, so id imagine a good indication would be smoke but there's none.

Rotary Junkie
High pitched squeal sounds like belt slip to me.
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Its not like a loose fan belt screech, its like a turbo whine but it gets really loud and alot more high pitched.

More info I can think of is, this noise has developed and was not there from the start.
Engine is not over heating.
Plenty of engine oil and is very clean.
No unusual vibrations or rattles. (even when noise kicks in)
 
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From some quick Google-fu (I own a WRX myself but it's not an 04 and mine doesn't make this noise), it's most likely a small boost leak. Make sure all the fittings have correct/tight torque, and make sure your Y-pipe isn't attached by duct tape like this bloke.

Other possible diagnoses are the A/C compressor (run control tests with the A/C on and off, see if the noise still persists with the air conditioning off) and the turbo developing a small crack, though I believe this is more down to STis with the VF39 turbo rather than standard Rexies.

If all else fails...take it back to the mechs on the Monday.

Needs more pics btw, love a Teardrop Rex ;)
 
Just a simple check to see how the BOV's installed might help, too.


I'm not saying that it's the problem, but, you know, backyard mechanics at work, they mightn't have installed the BOV correctly, which could also lead to problems. Just pointing it out.


Have you checked the intercooler piping (or generic other piping) with a flashlight? Always a place to start, if you hear a "swoooshing" sound or a "leaking air" sound in a turbo car.
 
Thanks for the input guys, had somone with a bit of know have a listen and he seemed to think it sounded more like the alternater, so we sprayed some WD-40 on the pulleys. Didnt completly cure it but that noise didnt seem so tight.
Looking through the car history it has a recipt to investigate the alternater but said nothing about replacing it.

Thanks for the advice murcie as the a/c and alternater are drive by the same belts (I think).

Will keep you updated ad try and get pics uploaded soon.
 
Is the BOV recirculating air? If not get rid of it! You like the "woosh" of air sound, then just put an intake in there.

I would have said belts too, but you'd probably hear some sort of whine at idle too. I had that issue a few weeks ago. Check the intercooler hoses? Throttle body?
 

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