Crank no start and makes loud clunk/crunch sound, with multiple codes?

BNICHOLE1359

MEMBER
2003 SUBARU FORESTER
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
370,000 MILES

I've been having issues with my 03 forester. It's got a few codes on it currently
P0030
P0128
P0130
P0483
P0171
The past week after sitting overnight I would have trouble starting it in the mornings. It would turn over, and I would usually have to pump the gas to get it to start. Once I had to roll it back off the hill a bit before it would start.
I went to work today, and when it came time to leave it wouldn't start at all. It would still turn over, but when it would get to the point of starting it would make this loud horrible crunching sound that it's never made before. I got a video of it trying to start but it does not include the loud crunching sound it was making.
Some people trying to help me start it that heard the sound said it sounded like the flywheel catching or something. And most likely the fuel pump went out on it. I'm really hoping the fuel pump is all it is.
Any ideas on what could be making the loud crunching/ grinding noise? I mean it sounded like the whole car was going to fall apart.

The closest thing I can find to the sound on YouTube is in this video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/JMe_Ue2-MhE?si=adVxb8awHa7nrxPs

It sounds pretty similar to that, but louder and more crunchy/clunky/grindish. It’s hard to explain.

But here’s a video I did manage to get of trying to start it without it making the crunchy sound. Like it only seemed to make it when it would get to the point of almost starting.

3 Replies

BNICHOLE1359

MEMBER
3 POSTS

.

Video (Click to make bigger)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Thursday, July 18th, 2024 AT 1:02 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Oh man, that engine does not sounds good, I would remove the spark plugs and look for damage or coolant in one or more of the cylinders. Here is a guide on how to do so and I have included instructions in the images below for your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

Once the spark plugs are out crank the engine over to see if it sounds better. Thanks for the video, it helps take the guesswork out of it.

If it turns over okay with the spark plugs out, I have seen the ignition coil short out and crossfire which looks like that might be happen. I would replace the ignition coil, spark plug wires and spark plugs.

So, none of these codes will cause the problem the engine is having FYI please start new threads for each one of theses.

P0030: HO2S Heater Control Circuit (Bank 1, Sensor 1)

P0130: O2 Sensor Circuit (Bank 1, Sensor 1)

P0483: Cooling Fan Rationality Check

P0171: System Too Lean (Bank 1)

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)