Ticking sound, Car locks up.

Not sure how it happened, but today when I took my car (05 LGT MT) out I noticed an awful ticking noise. It sounds like someone shooting a soda can with a bb gun. It occurs while moving, in a straight line even at low speeds.

 

 

Even worse the car will periodically (often) lock up completely. Comes to a dead stop at low speeds. It is sudden and feels like I ran into something when it happens. I only took it just down the road and promptly brought it back. I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about cars, so I have no idea what the issue is.

 

Any Ideas?

severe rod knock is first thing that comes to mind

Yep, had the same sound, #4 rod came loose... 2600 $ later and i have brand new short block.

Yep, had the same sound, #4 rod came loose... 2600 $ later and i have brand new short block.

 

 

If that's the case, did it make the sound for you while just idling? Or revving the engine in neutral?

if it is a rod, you will hear it whenever the engine is on.

NO!!! No No No!!

 

 

 

It's his transmission. Probably an output shaft bearing or a center diff.

NO!!! No No No!!

 

 

 

It's his transmission. Probably an output shaft bearing or a center diff.

 

 

 

 

I can tell you my shifter has been a little funny. I've had problems with it since I bought it, It works fine while moving down the road, but from a stop or reverse it can get stuck 3rd or 4th when you try to move the stick to the left (from the reverse position). From that point it only moves freely from 3rd to 4th. It will go down into second but it hits something solid if you try to go up to first.

 

 

My transmission case was replaced not long ago, but for the most part the transmission was working fine since, aside from the problem described above.

 

 

You sound pretty sure it's the transmission, but I can tell you the problem still occurs even with the clutch fully depressed, so wouldn't that suggest otherwise? At least it's probably not the center diff. if this is true.

my point above is if you only hear the sound when moving, it is obviously your driveline somewhere, not your engine. Your engine is moving very fast, even at idle, so you would hear things at idle if something was wrong there.

If it was a noise from the engine, like rod knock, you should be able to reproduce it at idle in neutral.

 

If it were the engine causing the car to "lock up", it probably wouldn't do it more than once before blowing up completely. I'm 95% sure of my internet diagnoses, it's in the tranny.

Yep it was in idle, and got more noticeable as revs went up. If you push revs to 4k it will dissapear for a while and then will be back again.

If it was a noise from the engine, like rod knock, you should be able to reproduce it at idle in neutral.

 

If it were the engine causing the car to "lock up", it probably wouldn't do it more than once before blowing up completely. I'm 95% sure of my internet diagnoses, it's in the tranny.

 

 

Right, I'm guessing it probably IS the center diff, or some gear with a missing tooth or something.

 

 

Thanks for your response, I'm having it towed to a subaru specialist garage (Lake Region Imports)

$1,800.00 + LABOR?

 

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