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2007 Forester: loud noises and the check engine light..70 mph..towed

 
Carguy1's Avatar
  • Answered by:Carguy1
  • Subaru Technician
  • Positive Feedback: 98.6 %
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Customer Question

My 2007 Forester (107,000) began making loud noises and the check engine light began flashing while I was highway driving at approx. 70 mph. I pulled over and had it towed.
Any ideas why it was having problems.

 

Country: United States
Make: Subaru
Model: Forester
Year: 2007

Already Tried:
It was towed to the dealer

Submitted: 540 days and 11 hours ago.
Category: Subaru
Value: $38
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  snapontech replied540 days and 11 hours ago.

Welcome to Justanswer, My name isXXXXX am here to help.

Where was the noise did you watch the gauges did the engine die?

Customer replied540 days and 11 hours ago.

I didn't see any problem with the gauges--not overheating, etc. the noise was too loud to ignore.

I managed to get pulled over. I turned off the engine. i was afraid to damage the engine, so I didn't try to start it again--just called a tow truck.

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Expert:  snapontech replied540 days and 11 hours ago.

I suspect there is a problem with the bolts to the transmission specifically the flywheel to torque convertor came loose. If the noise was still there when the engine was just running not moving this is the most likely suspect. They will end up charging for the labor to replace the bolts which should not cost much if this is the case. Thanks

Danny

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Expert:  Carguy1 replied540 days and 11 hours ago.

Greetings Sir or Madam and welcome to JA! I will do my very best to assist you with your problem.
Hi there!
I suspect the issue may be with the timing belt. The car should have the timing belt replaced at 100k miles, if this wasn't done then chances are it jumped time and you may actually be hearing the valves and pistons making contact.
The other option would be a problem with the connecting rods.
It is not likely the transmission torque converter bolts, 25 yrs in the business, have never seen this even once with a Subaru. Even after engine or transmission replacement.
Thanks,

Customer replied540 days and 10 hours ago.

If it wasn't overheating, does that rule out engine damage? It's an automatic transmission.

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  Carguy1 replied540 days and 10 hours ago.

That doesn't rule out engine damage, if the timing belt broke or slipped or even if it is a connecting rod making all the noise, there is going to be some type of internal damage.
Or at least it is most likely.The check engine light flashing indicates a cylinder misfire. The car will misfire if the timing belt slips.
you are doing the right thing to have it towed and not drive it until it is inspected, it certainly sounds like a timing issue from here.
I could be wrong which is why it needs to be inspected locally, but I can tell you this much, the check engine light would not be flashing if the bolts backed out of the torque converter.
I suspect the timing belt to be the root cause of the problem sorry to say.

Expert TypeSubaru Technician
Category: Subaru
Pos. Feedback: 98.6 %
Accepts: 4921
Answered: 11/29/2011

Experience: Certified Subaru Technician, Factory Trained by Subaru

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Customer replied540 days and 10 hours ago.

My server won't let me accept answer. can you log it out from there? i appreciate your help.

Patricia

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Expert:  Carguy1 replied540 days and 10 hours ago.

You are very welcome for the help and according to what I am seeing you did already accept the answer so it is all good.
If you need any follow up let me know and I will do my best to assist you!
Thank you for the accept!

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Expert:  snapontech replied540 days and 10 hours ago.

I still suspect the torque convertor here causing the knock sensor to detect the knock setting the check engine lamp. If there was a timing problem or internal engine damage it would have died or ran really bad just a noise without any other symptoms seems a bit odd to be timing jumped or internal engine damage. Thats why I asked before answering if it had any indicators on the dash other than the check engine lamp. This doesnt sound like timing or the engine would have died or ran really rough and temp would definately go up.

 
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