04 Subaru engine growl on acceleration.

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Tue 31 Jul 2007 22:42
04 Subaru engine growl on acceleration. - bigtow
I have a 2.5 manual 2004 outback. When I accelerate there is a definite low growl that raises and gets faster as I accelerate, from the engine/gearbox dunno where. It isn't loud but noisy enough to be commented on by passengers and is distinctly audible. Mechanic said gearbox and not a worry. I have read that Subarus do have an engine growl under acceleration, but other Outback drivers I have asked said not. Any thoughts

Tweak to subject line - PU
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Wed 1 Aug 2007 15:21
04 Subaru engine growl on acceleration. - MVP
Our 2003 Forester 2.0x emits a lovely (IMHO) growl once the revs get upto the 3500-4000 mark - feature of a boxer engine layout I believe.
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Thu 2 Aug 2007 01:03
04 Subaru engine growl on acceleration. - Aprilia
Subarus do have a 'distinctive' exhaust note due to the design of the engine and the use of unequal length downpipes which causes a pulsation in the exhaust ("burble") - this is less evident on the newer ones which have a different exhaust design.

Having said that, I've not heard the noise and your mechanic has. If he says its the gearbox then he may well be correct. It could be a bearing in the box, or in the front diff. Another thing to bear in mind is that the 2.5 is not subaru's smoothest engine and for that reason I think 2.5's of your vintage were fitted with dual mass flywheels to smooth things out. Some of these DMF's have given problems and been replaced under warranty. Mind you, I would not expect a DMF to growl, more likely knock and squeak.

If the car is under warranty then I would get it back to the dealer. If out of warranty then I would get an independent to have a listen. Get it up on wheel-free ramps and have someone listen to the transmission with a stethoscope.
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