The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi
I have a MY02 2002 Forester 2 litre 5 speed manual that has developed a very noise tappet rattle on cold start. After it warms up the noise disappears. The local Subaru dealer doesn't know from the model whether it has adjustable or non-adjustable lifters. Does anyone out there know?. The dealer said there was a changover in 2002 with some 2002 2 litre models having the adjustable lifters.
What is the remedy oither than replacing/adjusting the lifters?.
Thanks
Dave:)

I have experienced a similar problem and it has been the timing belt tensioner that has been faulty letting the belt to whip against the timing cover causing a loud knocking noise when cold or intermittently this was a fairly common problem . This problem can be checked by removing the timing cover and look for evidence of the belt rubbing on the bottom corner of the cover and the fix is to replace the belt tensioner. Has the dealer checked for this problem ?
I haven't had any foresters with lifter noise and I'm unsure if they are hydraulic or adjustable i suspect that they are adjustable cause it was a fad at that time with Subaru to have adjustable lifters on all there engines to improve fuel economy and 2002 was when I left Subaru which is what makes me unsure.
Hope this helps
Mouse

pm me your vin and ill check out what you got
cheers