Help, Engine noise?

Hi Guys, My name is John and this is my first post on the forum, unfortunatly i'm starting on a bad note. Just collected my dream car this afternoon 2003 996 Turbo 32K miles, but the engine has developed a rattly engine noise from the O/S rear above exhaust. I'm not a mechanic as such but it sounds like cam chain slack? Is this possible at 32K miles or can it be something else? I know its hard to describe a noise, I'm so annoyed as i bought it privately and have no warranty. The noise seems to stop after reving past 2.5-3K, doesn't change when actuating the clutch or operating air con I didn't expect to be having these troubles on my first day :sad: Any help greatly appreciated Thanks John

I know, the feeling: I got mine on private sale and clutch was slipping at high revs on the drive back, thought i was in for an instant 1K bill- took it into my friendly indie porsche specialist; turned out to be a sticking pedal, free fix. - yours could be something simple; don't worry, just get it looked at by someone who knows what they are looking at...

turbo noise Hi the turbo wastegates can rattle a little or the heatshields above the turbos can corrode through on the mountings, it sounds like the latter not a big job, or very expensive, if the wastgates are rattling the noise should stop when you blip the throttle slightly, if it does not then it is probably one of the heatshields come loose. these engines are NOT known for having any timing chain problems so I vey much doubt it is anything serious. but the golden rule is you should have had the car checked over by a good indie. If it is the wastgates rattling a little you will need to get an indie to sort it out though its not a hazzard or very expensive to do. good luck

Thanks for the replys guys, I feel sick. I know its only a car but i've waited so long for this. I was thinking of booking it in at Strasse on Thursday morn. I know the car had a slight exhaust rattle before i bought it which sounds like jingling keys on tickover, it goes when i rev it tho.

John - Welcome the turbo engines can sound like a bag of spanners on Idle any way, there are lots of threads on rennlist and 6speedonline on this subject and its generally accepted as intermediate gear 'chatter', thicker oil may help but I wouldn't be overly worried the engines are pretty bombproof on these cars.

Hi John, welcome aboard, you will gain a wealth of knowlegde from this website and no doubt find some interesting reads. You may have read lots of internet hype about 996's blowing up etc but the turbo model doesn't really fit in that category, that was just 3.4 / 3.6 C2 & C4 models, your engine has loads more development over these engines and as a result, as said, pretty much bomb proof. My advice, to keep costs down, look for a local specialist, be prepared to travel, there may even be someone on here who can lend an ear if near by (let us know the 1st half of your post code). I am quite certain the problem you have will be down to being sat on a forecourt through the ruddy credit crunch (it has probably been sat for a while) and just needs an Italian service or spirited drive. Let us know where you are so we can put you in the right direction. Welcome to the love affair of owning a 911 :mrgreen: Lloyd

Thanks again for the positive replys and feedback, My friend Wayne Scofield is a Porsche tuning specialist in Milnrow Rochdale (Chip Wizards), he has a very good relationship with Dave at Strasse porsche so its going in tomorrow morning. Just read the last service report from Strasse which commented that the front three radiators were "damp"?, and the Oil pump on bank 2 has a slight leak. I don't think the above have had anything done about them. I know the waste gate valve was also freed off on that service. Perhaps one of the above my be contributing to the annoying noise? Also on the last service it had a new header tank fitted. Wht would you ever need a new one? Thanks people

engine noises good stuff let us all knw what they find.

I very much doubt the oil pump and rads have anything to do with the noise, wastegate seems the obvious culprit to me but as said let us know the outcome as info like that is great for the forum. Header tanks are V E R Y common for splitting so that is normal. :thumb:

Hi, I have a 2001 996TT and have exactely the same tinging type noise from the nearside. The heat sheilds are the 1st thing to check and easy to fix for the DIY'er, you'll immediately see if there loose from the btm connection points, I fixed mine with just bigger washers using the same bolts, but that wasn't the tinging noise. It's louder when cold and quieter when warm. It's been into porchse recently for a service, who advised a new turbo as the waste gate/actuator rod is siezed. The turbo and car is working perfectly, correct boost being generated etc, so not to worried at the mo. I haven't had a chance yet, but I'm hoping to get underneath and try to un-sieze the actuator rod etc, hopefully as Valdice advice I expect it's the waste gates rattling. If I'm unable was planning on removing the turbo and replacing or sending of for refurb, may even do both sides if the removal's not to difficult. Valdice, you mention rattling waste gates an easy fix, any details I could use for when I get under mine ?

Ok, took the car this morning, they said its very common for the 996TT to make that noise, but mine is slightly louder than the rest. He thinks its something on the timing chain and would cost £3.5k to fix. He told me not to worry about it and just enjoy, as the noise would not get any louder or worse, he started a GT3 he has in stock which is apparently the same bottom end? it sounded worse than mine! I need two new turbo heat shields, and as mentioned earlier the wastegate was again seized on Bank 1. Whats the best fix for the sticky/seized wastegates? Where do we buy new heatshields from and is it a big job? Can anyone else in the area OL15 give me a shout to possibly meet to compare noises and also run their eye over the engine. Any expertize is welcome. Thanks John

996t engine Dont know if that is good news or not, but I think you wil have to play the waiting game. would be interesting to hear it, mine is not what you would call silent, probable not as quiet as my normal 996 was but there is alot going on with all those oil pumps and chains but I have never heard of any problems with this engine or the GT3 lump The wasgate can be unseized by stripping the wastgate it is on the exhuast side of the turbo. Clean the shaft with some fine emmery paper and reassemble, with a small smear of coppereaze, dont put lots on as the tempreture here is so high it will just melt. as long as the shaft is not too pitted it will feel quite loose in the bush/hole. check when you reassemble the rod from tha actuator is set witht he right pre load (mark it before you take it apart) If its the wastgates rattling its just that there is play on the shaft in the housing and it a refurb job really but does no harm The heatshields are from a Porsche supplier and as long as the nuts come undone will take about 10 minutes a side, helps to have an S shaped 13mm spanner for the top ones.

John, I thinkvaldice has it pretty much spot on, these engines are just noisier on idle than the standard M96, re the wastegates again this is a really common fault and they can sometimes be freed up but may need a refurb if they are totally siezed. I'm reasonably local to you in manchester if you want to compare engine noise etc..drop me a PM Cheers, Simon