I think my mom's car need an engine

[rallyak]

As it states,my mom called and said, it knocking when she lets off the gas. Which is really disappointing considering it was new 6 years ago from subaru. It a 98 outback with 2.5 quad cam engine. I haven't went by to hear it but that engine never ran right from day one. It vibrates so bad that the heat shield sound like a cow bell, and its been weld three times. I will give an update after I hear it, I really don't have time to build an engine right now.

[Legacy777]

Has checked the oil recently? I know it may be a non issue now and any damage is likely done, but it'd be good to try and determine what the cause was so it doesn't happen again.

Keep us posted on what you find out.

[PhyrraM]

Sometimes a knocking when letting off the gas can be clutch, gearbox or driveline related.

Rod knock usually doesn't go away with throttle.

Good luck with the diagnosis.

[wtdash]

Don't rebuild the engine if that's the issue - check out the USMB and the easy EJ22 swap.

GL,
Td

[rallyak]

Well I checked it out and it's not the engine, thank goodness. It sounds like a bearing at the rear of the trany. The info from my mom is that it jerked and started whining thats today's story. The noise is constant and the faster you go the noise gets higher in pitch, and doesn't change when it shifts(auto).

As for the 2.2 swap, not enought power to pull the car and 500 to 700lbs of cargo up and mountains when your on a time limit.

I know you had to ask about the oil ,one of the most common causes of engine failures. I know that it burns oil(even when new) about 1qt in 3000 miles right now thats about every 5 to 7 days.

[Alphius]

2.2 swap definitely can do 80+ up a mountain loaded to the gills with crap. I should know, I've done it many many times.
That's beside the point though, I just don't like seeing people hate on the EJ22.

Have you considered a wheel bearing? Output related on the trans is definitely a possibility. Is it a 4EAT or 5spd?

[rallyak]

I have two cars with 2.2s and 5 speeds and the one with the 2.5 auto and the way the 2.5 pulls the hills and is able to pass a lot easier. I really like the 2.2 but it run out of steam on a 7mile 15% hill as for the 2.5 I don't have to keep it at WOT, I can set cruise at 70 and will not drop in speed.

Even my setup on my 2.2 with delta cams, OBX headers grunts pulling that hill loaded. I guess it just bothers me when trucks pulling 25-30 foot boats passing me on that hill( my wife being one of them in her dodge w/cummins).

[rallyak]

It's a 4eats and it doesn't sound like its in the rear of the car. I believe a bering wasnt replaced when the trany was rebulit 3 months ago,but is long out of warranty. Warranty was 1 year or 10,000 miles, it already has 26,000 on it.

[Alphius]

I guess my impression of 2.5s is kind of poor since I've never driven a 2.5/5-speed, only 4EAT.

It does sound like something in the trans then, you could maybe narrow down where it is coming from by running it on a lift or jackstands and listening for the sound?

[rallyak]

Update, well took it to the trany shop and they believe the piñon shaft is broken, I will try to get pics.

[Legacy777]

Ouch! I've never heard of a pinion shaft breaking, so I would definitely be interested to see some pics.

[rallyak]

I stopped by the shop yesterday to see the damage, but they had allready discarded the broken parts. apparently a tooth broke off the ring gear jammed it all up and snaped pinion shaft. The good thing is that thay said it was barely out of warranty but we will take care of it NO CHARGE.

[Legacy777]

That's pretty cool of them to do that!