2017 Subaru STI whining noise in engine bay

Asked by Jacob Jul 05, 2020 at 11:15 PM about the 2017 Subaru WRX STI Base AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2017 Subaru WRX STI

It originally started when I went to put cold step spark
plugs in I found a small amount of oil on the boots of the
spark plugs to cylinder 1 and cylinder 3

After talking to a Subaru dealer and their technicians they
said it was most likely from a leaky valve cover gasket. I
change this gasket with silicone based sealant and later
learned that I didn't need sealant. I was afraid the sealant
would get into the valves so I took the gasket off cleaned it
and the valve cover and put the gasket and cover back on.

I also cleaned my SF Cobb air intake filter with K&N red oil
later realizing i put a little too much on the first time and
mistakenly sprayed the inside of the filter.

I started the car and it threw p0102 and p0113 codes it also
made a medium to loud volume, high pitched, whining
noise in the front of the engine bay seemingly by the
alternator and pulleys

I took the air intake off, dried it, and put it back on and
checked the MAF sensor, and started the car. The codes
were gone but the whining was still there.

I've been in a time crunch working 7 days a week and have
a turbo and Inlet install coming up in two days so I wanted
to get as much ready as possible including an IAG air oil
separator. After a delightful 15 hours I was able to get the
iag installed and noted that the intercooler hose under the
intercooler was somewhat pinched being squeezed in with
the air oil separator tubing.

I attempted to start the car but it barely turned over then
died. The dash lights flickered and then the battery went
completely dead. I hooked it up to a 0 to 40 amp CAT
charger, charged the battery, and checked the alternator.
The cat charger indicated that the alternator voltage was
incorrect

After charging, the car started fine but the whining was still
there and continued with the AC on. I also noticed that
when I revved the engine the RPMs dipped very low on the
down turn of the revs to the point where it seemed like the
car was about to stall. The higher the rev, the lower the
RPMs would subsequently dip.

After idling for a few minutes the whining went away. I
changed the oil and drove it to work and on the way it
started whining again. I turn the steering wheel and the
whining seem to increase in pitch but when I had the car in
neutral, and was rolling, it did not whine at all when I turned
the steering wheel. The car also seemed to drive fine as far
as RPM range.

Im currently running the Cobb turboback
exhaust/downpipe, SF intake, Cobb fuel rails and lines,
1050x injectors, AEM drop in fuel pump, IAG aos, and AEM
wideband sensor (had a lot of trouble with the wiring
initially as it was hooked up incorrectly for 20+ miles of
driving). I will soon have the Cobb 20g turbo and inlet
installed. Mike at Innovative has been providing E tuning.

1 Answer

I did not read your entire novel but I will say that my engine was ruined by a dealer that used too much silicone gasket sealer. The excess plugged up oil passages and starved the engine of oil. I hope this is not the case for your car. You need to clean the excess oil off the MAF and throttle body.

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