Author Topic: Uh-Oh...drivetrain problem? (Read 3601 times)

Vmango · « **on:** February 11, 2011, 05:27:07 pm »

I drove to work today as normal everything was fine. Leaving the office today to come home I got in my car and I think I have a drive-train issue. Under load everything is more or less fine but when I let off the gas or coast in neutral I get a ticking (metal sound) coming from under the car....almost sounds like shrapnel in my diff. I can feel it a little in my shifter as well.

I took it to my mechanic who's close to work (babying it all the way) and he also believes that it's something in the drivetrain......a sheared gear or something and it's the broken pieces I'm hear. We looked under the car and under the hood and everything looks perfect and like it should for a less than one year old car.

Of course, our local Subaru dealership is closed so I'll call first thing in the morning. It looks like I'm on the cusp on testing out this warranty situation with Subaru America because of the import.

Any other guesses to what it could be? Car is at 12000 miles.

sailor723 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:50:20 pm »

Sorry to hear that. I can tell you that the time my daughter had to get warranty stuff done on her US sourced Tribeca SOA was easy to deal with. We even had the cheque back from them before the Visa bill for the repairs was due.

my2cents · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:51:01 pm »

I know nothing about Subarus - but rocks stuck in the heat shield of cat converters - or loose bolts can make a variety of noises at odd times - depending on the vibration of the exhaust.

johngenx · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2011, 06:01:52 pm »

If it is a warranty repair, it should go smooth. I've had a few friends that have imported Subarus from the US, and one had a warranty claim. SOA dealt with the paperwork and reimbursement quickly and without any hassle. Of course, it was a $600 sensor repair, not a $6000 transmission...

Vmango · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2011, 08:43:58 pm »

Well, at least I'll get lots of aeroplan miles

I'll be calling SOA first thing tomorrow morning.

airbalancer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2011, 08:50:59 pm »

Quote from: Vmango on February 11, 2011, 08:43:58 pm

Well, at least I'll get lots of aeroplan miles

I'll be calling SOA first thing tomorrow morning.

Will they be openning on Saturday?

Brigitte · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2011, 09:11:53 pm »

Sorry to hear of this anxiety-inducing incident, Mango dude. $:-\$ I can't offer any help, but what I will do is move this to the Technical section, where it belongs, and where all the magical answers will flow back to you.

wing · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2011, 09:44:49 pm »

Did the car hop at all? This would noticeable in turns.

Vmango · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2011, 10:47:37 pm »

It hopped somewhat when I first started it after work and the problem began. As I was reversing out of my parking spot it was like it wouldn't move...until I gave it enough gas......then the sound started.

Again, I had the car on a lift today for a bit and inspected the entire car and nothing.....no leaks, nothing loose, nothing. Yeah, just my luck SOA isn't open again until Monday. Nevertheless, I'll call Gemini first thing in the morning and see if I can make it there and give a tech a drive.

Makes me shudder to drive it. The noise gets worse the faster the car moves. Similar sounds reported on some of the Subaru forums have yielded some pretty bad issues (IE replacing tranny).

Let's hope it's something small, but like I said, I went over everything visible and touchable with a mechanic this afternoon.

Railton · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2011, 10:51:32 pm »

Quote from: Vmango on February 11, 2011, 10:47:37 pm

It hopped somewhat when I first started it after work and the problem began. As I was reversing out of my parking spot it was like it wouldn't move...until I gave it enough gas......then the sound started.

Again, I had the car on a lift today for a bit and inspected the entire car and nothing.....no leaks, nothing loose, nothing. Yeah, just my luck SOA isn't open again until Monday. Nevertheless, I'll call Gemini first thing in the morning and see if I can make it there and give a tech a drive.

Makes me shudder to drive it. The noise gets worse the faster the car moves. Similar sounds reported on some of the Subaru forums have yielded some pretty bad issues (IE replacing tranny).

Let's hope it's something small, but like I said, I went over everything visible and touchable with a mechanic this afternoon.

Bummer man. I don't think you should drive it anymore till your mechanic takes a look at it.
Railton

Vmango · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2011, 10:57:33 pm »

Yeah - I'll ask Subaru's advice and I can use CAA to bring it to the dealership need be.

dr_spock · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2011, 11:45:35 pm »

Bummer. CAA should be able to supply a flat bed on request.

articsteve · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:13:40 am »

Drive it and make it worse so there is no "pondering" of the issue at the dealership.

To new to have missed any tranny/drivetrain services I assume?

airbalancer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2011, 07:00:20 am »

Quote from: articsteve on February 12, 2011, 12:13:40 am

Drive it and make it worse so there is no "pondering" of the issue at the dealership.

To new to have missed any tranny/drivetrain services I assume?

Have to agree with Steve on this if it is under warranty, you want to make sure they can see the problem

Will CAA cross the boarder?

Vmango · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:02:42 am »

Well, I shouldn't have to go across the border as I have no problem either throwing the cost on the old Visa or paying cash.....as long as I can get reimbursed....which should not be an issue.

Either way, I just noticed that Gemini's service isn't open on weekends I'm probably waiting until Monday...which is alright because I want to call SOA first.

I can't imagine how they'll be any "pondering" this problem....but I suppose that kind of behavior has happened before. I'm going to take it for a drive now and see it's still messed up. Sailor's comments easy my stress.

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:05:05 am »

If you need a lift, gimme a call!

Vmango · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:21:55 am »

Thanks Pal

Mike · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2011, 09:09:18 am »

Let me know how things work out once it is diagnoised today. I had some bad metallic noises around my tranny when I put on the OBX exhaust, but that was the cheap ass exhaust hitting my heat shield. Your issue sounds much worse and much more serious.

On a positive note I took your advice and bought the Magnaflow.

Flinter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2011, 11:17:34 am »

Sorry to hear about your Subie.

I hope it isn't out of commision for too long and warranty discussions with SOA go well.

Vmango · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2011, 11:42:51 am »

Slight update. SOA are amazing and will fully work with me. All I need to do is fax/scan/mail any work order from the dealership to them and they'll send me a cheque. Very happy with them.

Waiting to hear back from the dealership about my car. Mike - it's not the heat-shield issue as I had that previously...this is definitely something more sinister.

Hoping for something small.