So, yes. I'm a complete car noob. And no, I have nothing with which to actually record sound/video, or I would. That said, I will do my best to provide info and describe the best that I can. Now, I turn to you, AT Garage.
(Car is an '02 Impreza Wagon, N/A, A/T)
The first noise in question, the best description I can come up with is... It sounds like someone is sticking a drinking straw in the blades of a fan. (Before you ask, I've checked, there's nothing interfering with the radiator fans) Rapid sort of ticking noise that seems to get somewhat louder as throttle is applied. I haven't *noticed* a change in the speed of the ticking relative to throttle, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't. I'll try to pay more attention next time it occurs. Best guess on location is it sounds like it's coming from somewhere near the passenger front wheel (but in the engine compartment, not the wheel itself, I think).
So far, I have been unable to reproduce the sound when trying, it comes and goes when it pleases. It might be related to the air conditioning/heating system, as it seems to occur more often when either of those are in use, but not every time. Last time it started, I drove less than a mile before it stopped again (I had just left my parents house and turned around to have my dad look at it. It was gone before I got back). It seems to occur more often when the engine is cooler (not necessarily cold), due to either having been recently started, or just lower than normal ambient temperature (IE: A few months ago when it was sub-50F at night, it seemed to happen much more frequently).
Possibly related to this, I currently have a CEL for either a cat failure or O2 sensor failure. 206K miles and rising with no guess on if the cat has ever been replaced, so I'm leaning towards the cat, with my almost-zero automotive knowledge other than reading a few forums.
The other noise in question is much easier to describe...
Quite frequently, when shifting out of reverse (and once or twice, park), there will be a slight clunking noise (sounds sort of like when you lightly drop a heavy piece of metal on metal). Again, I can't reliably reproduce this one either, but it's much more frequent. It still shifts fine and all that, no noise while driving (well, unless the above noise is related). Plenty of fluid/oil/whatever it's called on the dipstick (yes, the one on the transmission
), though I don't know if/when it has ever been changed.
Could this be a sign of imminent transmission failure, or am I just being paranoid?
Aaaand, since I'm here... I think I stumped JLee when I sent him the following picture.
What could possibly explain (relatively) massive quantities of what appears to be fresh oil all over the bottom of the car (including the exhaust) when the car is not low on oil, and does not leak (no more than a drop or two) when parked?
Picture! (Sorry about the phone-pic)
I don't remember there being that much oil down there when JLee and I changed the oil (and filter, yes) less than a month ago, but... Maybe I have selective memory loss? If it matters, car had been driven for ~5 minutes immediately before the picture was taken, so the exhaust should have been warm, at the least.
Now that the Wall 'o Text has been built... Anyone have any ideas to help a total car noob?
(Car is an '02 Impreza Wagon, N/A, A/T)
The first noise in question, the best description I can come up with is... It sounds like someone is sticking a drinking straw in the blades of a fan. (Before you ask, I've checked, there's nothing interfering with the radiator fans) Rapid sort of ticking noise that seems to get somewhat louder as throttle is applied. I haven't *noticed* a change in the speed of the ticking relative to throttle, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't. I'll try to pay more attention next time it occurs. Best guess on location is it sounds like it's coming from somewhere near the passenger front wheel (but in the engine compartment, not the wheel itself, I think).
So far, I have been unable to reproduce the sound when trying, it comes and goes when it pleases. It might be related to the air conditioning/heating system, as it seems to occur more often when either of those are in use, but not every time. Last time it started, I drove less than a mile before it stopped again (I had just left my parents house and turned around to have my dad look at it. It was gone before I got back). It seems to occur more often when the engine is cooler (not necessarily cold), due to either having been recently started, or just lower than normal ambient temperature (IE: A few months ago when it was sub-50F at night, it seemed to happen much more frequently).
Possibly related to this, I currently have a CEL for either a cat failure or O2 sensor failure. 206K miles and rising with no guess on if the cat has ever been replaced, so I'm leaning towards the cat, with my almost-zero automotive knowledge other than reading a few forums.
The other noise in question is much easier to describe...
Quite frequently, when shifting out of reverse (and once or twice, park), there will be a slight clunking noise (sounds sort of like when you lightly drop a heavy piece of metal on metal). Again, I can't reliably reproduce this one either, but it's much more frequent. It still shifts fine and all that, no noise while driving (well, unless the above noise is related). Plenty of fluid/oil/whatever it's called on the dipstick (yes, the one on the transmission
), though I don't know if/when it has ever been changed.Could this be a sign of imminent transmission failure, or am I just being paranoid?
Aaaand, since I'm here... I think I stumped JLee when I sent him the following picture.
What could possibly explain (relatively) massive quantities of what appears to be fresh oil all over the bottom of the car (including the exhaust) when the car is not low on oil, and does not leak (no more than a drop or two) when parked?
Picture! (Sorry about the phone-pic)
I don't remember there being that much oil down there when JLee and I changed the oil (and filter, yes) less than a month ago, but... Maybe I have selective memory loss? If it matters, car had been driven for ~5 minutes immediately before the picture was taken, so the exhaust should have been warm, at the least.
Now that the Wall 'o Text has been built... Anyone have any ideas to help a total car noob?
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