Hi all, A query from New Zealand 🙂 /p>
This week I picked up a brand new 2021 WRX STI (2.5 Litre) which I noticed has developed a loud ticking sound which seems to be coming from the left side of the engine. The ticking sound is very loud and increases frequency with engine RPM.
What could this be? It is running Premium 98 RON octane fuel (non ethanol), oil is at top level, and the car has only done 599 Kilometres (odometer). I have been religiously following the owners manual with respect to run in procedure - no revving above 4000 RPM, no hard accelerations, warm up and warm down. Ive tried to do everything right.
My previous car was a 2018 WRX STI (exact spec) and it didn't have anything like this sound, although that was on lease. When the lease expired I decided to buy one new.
These vehicles are very expensive here in New Zealand and its taken many years to be able to afford one. I hope its not a lemon 🙁
Ive made the following videos of the sound which you can hear clearly at different points in the videos:
Brand new 2021 WRX STI engine tick 1 - https://youtu.be/-XCVSn2dV-4
Brand new 2021 WRX STI engine tick 2 - https://youtu.be/EzCEnXr-1yw
Appreciate your comments.
It should not be that loud sounds like valve train noise and they didn't build it right I would take it back to the dealer I would also listen to other ones because they're probably going to say well that's normal find one that doesn't make that noise insane welcome this one doesn't make it
listening to the noise, for a brand new petrol engine that is terrible, a ticking noise to me usually points to valve issues or a broken piston ring.
I would definitely take this straight back. Here in England if you buy a car which is faulty then you can make the dealer replace it as long as you don't let them carry out any repairs on the car, if you do then you have entered into a contract of repair. Check your legal rights in New Zealand. and Good Luck.
Noise comes from your valvetrain. This is a normal thing for WRX. Subaru uses solid lifters instead of roller lifters.
