New engine noise - can you help diagnose it?

[Brian B]

I have a 2004 986 2.7 with just under 84K miles.  I've put almost 4K miles high-revving spirited road miles on it since I got it in June and it has run beautifully and used almost no oil or water.  I take the car for a spin almost every day.  I check the oil level gauge every time I start it and check the dipstick weekly. The previous owner was an enthusiast and I believe took really good care of the car.  He covered 10K miles in the 5 years he owned it.

A couple of days ago I heard a new noise from the engine. It's somewhere between a clacking, a knocking and a thrumming. It's not a clatter or a rattle and it doesn't sound metallic.  It's barely noticeable when idling but gets louder and the speed of the knocking increases as the revs climb until its too rapid and the general engine/exhaust noise is too high for it to be heard.

I was very reluctant to drive the car but I took it to a local Porsche specialist I haven't used before.  He didn't seem too concerned and thought it might be the "plastic timing belt tensioners" and said it was OK to drive.  I topped up the oil to Max (took 0.5L) which is the first time I've put oil in.  The noise is possibly a bit less loud when the engine is fully warmed but it is still there.

Despite what the specialist said I don't want to drive the car - and certainly don't want to rev the engine - with an unnatural noise coming from it.

I appreciate any insight the community can share on this - possible causes and what the risk is of causing damage to the engine.

[Menoporsche]

Increases with revs, but nothing to do with which gear, or even if revving in neutral parked?

Have you taken the engine cover off, either the top or behind the seats?  Stethoscope?

[Boxob]

Perhaps an idler or auxillary bearing. You could remove the cabin access panel and listen. If you're brave you could remove the polyrib belt and run the engine briefly. No noise would confirm an idler or auxillary bearing. Noise and its the engine.

[edc]

A specialist who has had their own eyes and ears on your car is going to have a much better chance of diagnosis than is who can't see it hear it! 

[Brian B]

Thanks Guys.

The noise is there in any gear and when revving in neutral.

I haven't ventured beyond topping up the oil.  It's years since I last worked on a car and I don't have the skills you guys have.  I wouldn't have the know-how to open up the engine.

The specialist only sat in the car and revved it briefly.  He didn't investigate further than that - which is why I wanted to get the forum's opinion before paying someone potentially a lot of money to go inside the engine to investigate.

Thanks for the advice.

 

 

[Menoporsche]

Who, or where, was the specialist?

Or, whereabouts are you in the country?

[Brian B]

I'm in Belfast

[Menoporsche]

@EXY can you help this chap, local recommendations?

[EXY]

11 hours ago, Menoporsche said:

@EXY can you help this chap, local recommendations?

I can try 🤔

12 hours ago, Brian B said:

I'm in Belfast

Hi Brian, 

I suspect you have already tried one of these guys;

George McMillen - based near Junction ONE. 

ALAN McGookin - AMG based in Ballyclare. 

Another option is always Agnews - both of the above specialists served their time there. 

[charlieboy2608]

13 hours ago, Boxob said:

Perhaps an idler or auxillary bearing. You could remove the cabin access panel and listen. If you're brave you could remove the polyrib belt and run the engine briefly. No noise would confirm an idler or auxillary bearing. Noise and its the engine.

+1....good call even if you have no mechanical skills-cover behind the seats only requires a 10mm spanner and the top cover just requires putting the convertible top into the maintenance position-both tasks are covered on utube!

It wont cost you anything but time.....

[Brian B]

28 minutes ago, EXY said:

I can try 🤔

Hi Brian, 

I suspect you have already tried one of these guys;

George McMillen - based near Junction ONE. 

ALAN McGookin - AMG based in Ballyclare. 

Another option is always Agnews - both of the above specialists served their time there. 

 

Hi Exy

Thanks so much.  It was actually a different specialist closer to where I live in South Belfast.  I'll not give his name until he's had the opportunity to prove himself - don't want to be unfair or negative.

I've heard of those other guys - in fact there are quite a few AMG receipts in the excellent history I got with the car so I'll maybe give Alan a call for a second opinion.  I can drive it over there if he doesn't think that's too risky.

I'm very new to Porsche and Boxster ownership.  Loving it so far and I'm delighted to find there are some other members in my vicinity.  Would be great to meet up when the world gets put back on its hinges!!

[Brian B]

20 minutes ago, charlieboy2608 said:

+1....good call even if you have no mechanical skills-cover behind the seats only requires a 10mm spanner and the top cover just requires putting the convertible top into the maintenance position-both tasks are covered on utube!

It wont cost you anything but time.....

Thanks charlieboy2608 I'll give that a go.

Not only am I loving owning and driving a Boxster - I'm also hoping taking care of basic maintenance will become my new hobby.  Got the new trolley jack, axle stands, socket set, oil filter wrench, inspection light, etc.  Skip en route to clear a Boxster-sized hole in the garage to permit winter work space.  Watched lots of Youtube vids.

Last car I worked on was probably my late 70's Chevette so I was hoping to ease my way back in with something simple like an oil change or fitting new wipers blades 🤣🤣🤣

[Menoporsche]

Get a copy of 101 Projects for your Boxster, or even just get on the Pelican Parts website where I think most of the book is hosted.

There are an increasing number of Youtube vids also, home maintenance is now far easier than it was 10 years ago.

And finally - don't be afraid to ask here.

[Brian B]

Thanks Menoporsche

All part of the plan! 101 Projects is on my Christmas list (along with a proper Porsche key ring and a nice die cast model for my desk - btw I might start a separate thread for recommendations on that).

Over the past few months I've pretty much watched every Porsche Network/TPN video there is - so I just need to get that garage space sorted and dive in (rains a lot in Belfast in November 😂).

It shows what amazing cars they are that I've been able to drive a 16-yr-old 80K-miler pretty hard for 5 months and all I've had to do is put air in the tyres.

One of the many things I love about the car is it's from the era just before cars got loaded with electronics and driver aids.  So the driving experience is really analogue and it looks like maintenance mainly requires spanners and bits of metal (and is therefore accessible to the weekend potterer) rather than circuitry and "computer says no".

Finally - another thing to love is this Porsche community.  Overnight I've had about 6 guys who don't know me from a hole in the ground offering their advice and experience.  That's fantastic.

I'll keep you posted on the progress and hopefully this will add to the community knowledge and maybe help someone else down the road.

[Brian B]

1 hour ago, EXY said:

I can try 🤔

Hi Brian, 

I suspect you have already tried one of these guys;

George McMillen - based near Junction ONE. 

ALAN McGookin - AMG based in Ballyclare. 

Another option is always Agnews - both of the above specialists served their time there. 

 

Hi Exy,

I've spoken with Alan @ AMG and I'm going to take the car over to him this afternoon.

Thanks again for the recommendation.

Brian

[½cwt]

27 minutes ago, Brian B said:

Thanks Menoporsche

All part of the plan! 101 Projects is on my Christmas list (along with a proper Porsche key ring and a nice die cast model for my desk - btw I might start a separate thread for recommendations on that).

Over the past few months I've pretty much watched every Porsche Network/TPN video there is - so I just need to get that garage space sorted and dive in (rains a lot in Belfast in November 😂).

It shows what amazing cars they are that I've been able to drive a 16-yr-old 80K-miler pretty hard for 5 months and all I've had to do is put air in the tyres.

One of the many things I love about the car is it's from the era just before cars got loaded with electronics and driver aids.  So the driving experience is really analogue and it looks like maintenance mainly requires spanners and bits of metal (and is therefore accessible to the weekend potterer) rather than circuitry and "computer says no".

Finally - another thing to love is this Porsche community.  Overnight I've had about 6 guys who don't know me from a hole in the ground offering their advice and experience.  That's fantastic.

I'll keep you posted on the progress and hopefully this will add to the community knowledge and maybe help someone else down the road.

You are in pretty much the position I was in when I bought mine in September 2018.  Great community and knowledge on here.  On the whole working on them is much like most cars.  Not may unusual tools required (16 and 18mm sockets) unless you run into the steel bolts stuck in aluminium alloy problem that crops up in a few places.  I've done loads on mine and I only have a flat drive but its a lot drier here in the South Mids than in NI.

Enjoy the car and get involved on the community.

[Brian B]

Thanks so much for the welcome.

I'd be interested to hear of any little projects you think are good to start with?

Brian

[½cwt]

29 minutes ago, Brian B said:

Thanks so much for the welcome.

I'd be interested to hear of any little projects you think are good to start with?

Brian

So far I've only paid someone else for two services and a gearbox oil change.  Everything else is DIY:

Changed the head unit and dash speakers and also fitted rear speakers to the storage unit on the back shelf over the engine bay to improve the sound system, this also added Bluetooth for streaming/handsfree kit.

3 flash 'lane change' indicator relay, fitted as I'm so used to it in other cars. (Parts and process is in the How To section of this forum)

Retrofitted cruise control, a bit fiddly on the pre 2001 cars like mine but easier on the later ones

Changed out the ashtray and CD storage to make an extra shelf in the centre console and a useful slot for keys/coins.

Replaced any missing wheel arch leading edge plastics (they do make a small aero difference if missing) and put in replacement stainless screws

Fresh anti-roll bar bushes

All the above are fairly straight forward and another tip is to make sure the tracking is checked as these are quite sensitive to being set correctly.

Replace leaking air con condensers and drier unit

 

Bigger jobs I've also done are:

Change 4 CV boots

Replace failed alternator & MAF sensor and fitted new ribbed drive belt

Replace all 4 suspension coffin arms, all 4 shocks, front tuning forks, all 4 drop links, all 4 bumps stops, front springs (one broke), front top mounts - This was a huge job over 4 weekends...

 

Feel free to message me if you want more info on any of these.

[EXY]

2 hours ago, Brian B said:

Hi Exy

Thanks so much.  It was actually a different specialist closer to where I live in South Belfast.  I'll not give his name until he's had the opportunity to prove himself - don't want to be unfair or negative.

I've heard of those other guys - in fact there are quite a few AMG receipts in the excellent history I got with the car so I'll maybe give Alan a call for a second opinion.  I can drive it over there if he doesn't think that's too risky.

I'm very new to Porsche and Boxster ownership.  Loving it so far and I'm delighted to find there are some other members in my vicinity.  Would be great to meet up when the world gets put back on its hinges!!

You're welcome, 

Was Alan that did the pre-purchase inspection on our car back in 2007.

Alas we no longer have Mr. BOX but Region 27 of PCGB is fairly active and well worth at least going along to a meet. PM me if you want the Regional Organiser's number. 

I have a nice model of a 986 in RED, will check the make later if you are interested. 

[Brian B]

On 11/18/2020 at 1:00 PM, ½cwt said:

So far I've only paid someone else for two services and a gearbox oil change.  Everything else is DIY:

Changed the head unit and dash speakers and also fitted rear speakers to the storage unit on the back shelf over the engine bay to improve the sound system, this also added Bluetooth for streaming/handsfree kit.

3 flash 'lane change' indicator relay, fitted as I'm so used to it in other cars. (Parts and process is in the How To section of this forum)

Retrofitted cruise control, a bit fiddly on the pre 2001 cars like mine but easier on the later ones

Changed out the ashtray and CD storage to make an extra shelf in the centre console and a useful slot for keys/coins.

Replaced any missing wheel arch leading edge plastics (they do make a small aero difference if missing) and put in replacement stainless screws

Fresh anti-roll bar bushes

All the above are fairly straight forward and another tip is to make sure the tracking is checked as these are quite sensitive to being set correctly.

Replace leaking air con condensers and drier unit

 

Bigger jobs I've also done are:

Change 4 CV boots

Replace failed alternator & MAF sensor and fitted new ribbed drive belt

Replace all 4 suspension coffin arms, all 4 shocks, front tuning forks, all 4 drop links, all 4 bumps stops, front springs (one broke), front top mounts - This was a huge job over 4 weekends...

 

Feel free to message me if you want more info on any of these.

Wow - you've been busy!

That's a brilliant list. Thanks so much for sharing.

Right away I'm keen to do the Indicator relay.  I've been driving Audis and BMs since the mid-90's so I really miss that feature as it does become instinctive.

Skip arriving on Monday so Project #1 can commence: create Boxster-shape space in garage. Hopefully eve I can manage that one 🤣

[Brian B]

Hi BoXa Buddies

I got a bit "distracted" at the end of last year hence the radio silence.

I owe you all an update on the noise issue that prompted this thread.  Turned out to be the water pump.  Correctly diagnosed and relatively painlessly replaced by Alan @ AMG Cars in Ballyclare - the bill was less than the estimate! For any N Ireland-based members I'd strongly recommend Alan.

Unfortunately another key project I was working on back in November - clearing out the garage to make workspace for working on the Boxster - was, like many projects, abandoned halfway through.

Hence I now have a new project as of yesterday (fixing/replacing the drivers' window regulator) and it hasn't stopped raining for a week.  It's going to be a very unpleasant project 😞.  Might just give Alan a buzz.....