How expensive is this likely to be? - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I went to start my 2006 Cayman S just over a week ago and it seems the cold had killed the battery a bit (I'd noticed it had been getting sluggish at starting for a few days). On this particular day, the battery JUST had enough juice to get the engine started, however it idled VERY low for a few seconds, before idling a bit quicker, but it sounded like it was running a cylinder or two down and there was a bit of a tappety sound. I switched it off and put the battery on charge. Due to Christmas I've only just been able to go out and check on it again. The engine fluids were fine and now low (though I topped up the oil anyway). I tried to start it again and it started much easier now, but the rattle persists. Ordinarily I would suspect the exhaust manifold that was welded for an MOT a couple of years ago, but it sounds more like a knock type rattle and (whilst I've not rev'd it much for fear of causing more damage), the frequency does seem to increase with RPM. Timing chain bearing? Piston slap? IMS bearing? A bit of extra back story - this car had a Hartech engine rebuild at ~85k (now on 130k) by a previous owner and I was told this engine rebuild resolved all the common issues including bore scoring and the IMS bearing issues.

jammy-git said: I went to start my 2006 Cayman S just over a week ago and it seems the cold had killed the battery a bit (I'd noticed it had been getting sluggish at starting for a few days). On this particular day, the battery JUST had enough juice to get the engine started, however it idled VERY low for a few seconds, before idling a bit quicker, but it sounded like it was running a cylinder or two down and there was a bit of a tappety sound. I switched it off and put the battery on charge. Due to Christmas I've only just been able to go out and check on it again. The engine fluids were fine and now low (though I topped up the oil anyway). I tried to start it again and it started much easier now, but the rattle persists. Ordinarily I would suspect the exhaust manifold that was welded for an MOT a couple of years ago, but it sounds more like a knock type rattle and (whilst I've not rev'd it much for fear of causing more damage), the frequency does seem to increase with RPM. Timing chain bearing? Piston slap? IMS bearing? A bit of extra back story - this car had a Hartech engine rebuild at ~85k (now on 130k) by a previous owner and I was told this engine rebuild resolved all the common issues including bore scoring and the IMS bearing issues. Is the CEL lit on the dash? Coil packs?

Before worrying too much I would take it for a 5 min drive just around the block, not too far. I once had a lifter that had drained and it took that long for the ticking to go away (i was panicking too). This was after a couple of months of no use, although on a gen 2 engine so not an identical situation to you. When you say the fluids were ok then low, how quickly was this change?

As above I’d take it for a gentle drive to see if it’s a sticky lifter.

Any updates Jammy?

Philvrs said: Before worrying too much I would take it for a 5 min drive just around the block, not too far. I once had a lifter that had drained and it took that long for the ticking to go away (i was panicking too). This was after a couple of months of no use, although on a gen 2 engine so not an identical situation to you. When you say the fluids were ok then low, how quickly was this change? ^This - had the exact same one my 997 once. Short drive to warm up the oil, and it was gone.

and31 said: Any updates Jammy? Not yet, I'm just coming to the end of a house move, and it's been peeing it down here, so I'm waiting for a semi-dry day just in case the worse happens and I get stuck at the side of the road for a few hours...

One thing i forgot to ask is how long you’ve owned it? You get a feel for whats normal/abnormal behavior for your car over time, an internet diagnosis can miss this, so you can be right to be cautious in the absence of previous experience of this situation. Look forward to an update when you get the chance to try the car again

Best of luck Jammy

Awww, you guys are lovely and friendly! Reminds me of the TVR sub back when I had my Cerbera (yes, I've come from the dark side). I'm fairly mechanically minded, I rebuilt my Cerb engine and I've built a few A-series engine in my time too, so at least I know what makes an engine tick, just not in this situation! Due to a house move just before Christmas, and hosting both mine and my OH's family for Christmas, and then with the weather I've just not had time to have a proper listen to work out whether the knock is top end or bottom. Luckily I now have a garage to use, unluckily it's currently full of boxes and furniture! Annoyingly this has also happened just as I've been looking at changing cars (does anyone have any experience of Maserati Granturismos?) as I now need 4 seats! Just to answer a previous question, the CEL light isn't on. The car has been stuck in Sport mode for the last 3ish weeks, but I think that's a separate issue too!

Four ish seats required? 911 needed surely!

I’d just try to get a few miles on it. When i left mine for a while and started it, coil pack had corroded rough running and a check engine light due to the unburnt fuel from that cylinder. As long as there was no sudden stop as i had many years before due to a crack in the cylinder and coolant causing a hydraulic lock when i tried to start it. But that had a CEL as well straight away.

J Chitty said: As long as there was no sudden stop as i had many years before due to a crack in the cylinder and coolant causing a hydraulic lock when i tried to start it. But that had a CEL as well straight away. Out of interest was that on a 987?

jammy-git said: <snip> does anyone have any experience of Maserati Granturismos?) as I now need 4 seats! <snip> Somewhere between the "jammy" nature of your moniker, the A-series rebuilds, and previous TVR ownership, you definitely come across as a fearless cove! I have a good friend with a massive penchant for Maserati Granturismos. I get to spend happy afternoons with him shut in the boot trying to find out where the water is getting in while I play a hose over the car, spend ages looking for mysterious battery drain issues, try to figure out why windows refuse to open, or even better, refuse to shut properly. Last one swallowed a lot of water through the air intake negotiating a puddle and got written off, but he went straight out and found another! All a bit more than I'd want in a car for myself. Very cool cars, and your previous experience will form an important part of the initiation. More than a car, they appear to be a hobby whether you want them to be or not. Not saying that's a bad thing, they offer a lot of bang per buck, and sound amazing. If you do get stuck, p.m. me and I'll ask him the most reliable sources of online advice. Liam

And yes 3.4s

The tappet noise on these can sound terminal! As said, drive it gently, that's probs all it is, and if so, nothing to worry about.

J Chitty said: And yes 3.4s Something else to worry about!!!

Finally got an update! Managed to take the car for a drive earlier today. Thankfully, by the time I got to the end of the close the tapping/knocking had quietened considerably, and a few minutes later it had stopped completely. So it looks like it was just a sticky tappet after all! Thank you everyone for your advice. I guess I was just being a bit too cautious. Now to figure out why the PASM keeps sticking on!

Good to hear your living up your name.

jammy-git said: Finally got an update! Managed to take the car for a drive earlier today. Thankfully, by the time I got to the end of the close the tapping/knocking had quietened considerably, and a few minutes later it had stopped completely. So it looks like it was just a sticky tappet after all! Thank you everyone for your advice. I guess I was just being a bit too cautious. Now to figure out why the PASM keeps sticking on! Thank f k for that!!!