Clicking sound from the rear

Anyone notice an odd, faintclicking sound coming from the rear of the car? Happens only within 2-3 minutes of driving off with a cold car, clicking sound for 3-5 seconds, sometimes interupted for a second or so. Sounds like cards clicking in the spokes of bike. Used to have an Audi quatro that had a similar faint clicking sound from the rear that was a fuel transfer pump equalizing the fuel on each side of the rear differential. Dealerhasn't heard it---not worth taking it in because the car goes like a raped ape---and has no clue. Cats warming up? Any ideas?

There are definitely sounds which eminate from the exhaust system when the car warms up and is running. Sounds like "pinging" but not in the engine "pinging" sort of way. What I would recommend is to turn off the engine and stand around the back and listen. Does it sound the same? I like the comparison to a violated ape.

At what speed? Paul

I have a similar sound when I first start up the car. It sounds like a creak coming from behind my head. It only happens if I blip the throttle. It disappers within a few minutes. This started happening after the de-snork.

I keep the revs down until the water temp comes up, so the clicking occurs below 40 mph or so. It only happens with a cold car, only happens in the first few minutes, and only happens once during the drive. I suspect warming the exhaust sytem produces the clicking.

I have the same creaking sound on my base Cayman, which I just got yesterday. It is metallic clicking sound coming from behind my head and happens intermittently. I haven't pin pointed yet on when it happens.

yes...many of us have the same thing. there are a couple of threads written on the subject. probably nothing to worry about. I described it as sounding like a squirrel with metal teeth was chewing on a gear or something. i think it is the exhaust warming up.

If I read your description correctly your ticking sounds exactly the same as one that we have on a Boxster . The noise only occurs within about 10 minutes of cold and sounds like somebody has put a stick into the spokes of a turning bike wheel. My local dealer here in the UK, Porsche Exeter, has heard the sound and the diagnosis is that it is something to do with the oil pressure relief valve, apparently not life threatening and quite common on the 2.7 and 3.2 Boxsters. The Boxster is waiting to go in to have the noise rectified but it will have to wait until my new base Caymen arrives in November ! Edited by - bob neville on 09/06/2006 05:12:05 AM

Bob - Great infoA Is the part being replaced under warranty?

Mojo It certainly is ! I am not sure exactly what they are going to replace along with the relief valve but as soon as I have details I will post them back here. Apparently this is a known problem but it may be more common in the UK due to the climate ?

<table bordercolor="#333366" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" border="1"> <tbody> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50%"> From the PCA Tech Q&A site: i have a new 05 boxster with a very annoying engine ? noise. this occurs only after full warm up, is more noted under load, and sounds like a rapid tapping or clicking noise.also, much more present at 2000-3200 rpm, and definitely rpm -related. it is so intrusive that it is difficult to drive distances.dealer is puzzled, but at least some other 05 on the lot also seem to have the same sound. it is not ok! any ideas of how to resolve local service manager reveals many recent buyers have brought their cars in with this complaint </td> <td width="50%"> This is actually do to a design flaw in the oil control piston or also known as the pressure regulating valve. The valve is what opens and closes to control the oil pressure. When an engine is cold and a 0W/40 oil is used the oil would be at a 0 weight. Now as the engine warms up the oil changes its viscosity to a 40 weight. During this warm up the pressure regulator will control the oil pressure from exceeding the maximum threshold. The threshold would often be exceeded during this time with the increase in RPM's. This applies to engines produced since December 5, 2005 in models M96.25 61604763 and M96.26 62603668. Porsche will replace the control piston at your local Dealer. The new control piston's part number is 997 107 125 01. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> I'll have them change the break-in oil while it's in the shop! Thanks again!

Mojo It looks like we have the complete answer now ! I hope it solves your tapping sound. The Boxster has to wait for my Cayman to be delived in November before it can be done as we only have one car at present. Hopefully my Cayman will not have the same problem but at least we know the answer and the part number to fix it now ! Bob

Mojo, It looks like you have solved the mystery! Keep us posted. Thanks Russ

It's certainly not life threatening and I intend to keep on enjoying the Cayman as a daily driver. We'll get to it when we can.

A quick update on this topic. Our Boxster has now had the oil control piston replaced under warranty and the clicking noise is no more ! The car had also developed a flat spot at about 2500 rpm and that has also gone without the dealer doing anything, or so I am told !! I can't see how the two would be linked but who cares, everthing is back to normal ! Bob

The flat spot could have been linked to the tapping/ticking if the ECU and/or knock sensor were getting confused and thinking the noise from the oil control piston was actually knock. Most knock sensors are acoustic (Saabs and Harleys are the only exceptions I can think of right now), and therefore, they listen for engine noises that sound like knock. If something in the engine is making a noise that sounds like knock, the ECU will back off timing to try to eliminate this false knock and thus, if it always happens at the same RPM range, give you a flat spot in power.

No Problem Have not had the oil control piston replaced and the ticking noise has gone away. Both local dealers say the oil control piston problem was an older Boxter issue and has been corrected. I now tend to think the problem was a lifter not "inflating" due to cold oil. I still baby the beast (keep it under 3,000 rpm) unitl the water temp comes off the peg and keep it under 4,000 rpm until the water temp is at normal operating temp for a few minutes.

At sustained highway speeds, I hear engine chatter - - similar to a tapping lifter. It's a 2.7L Cayman , so I would suspect the oil control piston would already be 'corrected" in the 2007 model. I recall seeing a Tech post something about this, but can't seem to find it now. Does anyone else have this problem?

Greg, I hear it on my 2.7, I think its the same sound? If I open the drivers door and play with the throttle going from idle to say 1000 rpm its comes and goes. Maybe we have some really good ears (those of us that hear it). I'm not too worried because its got years of warranty left. And I damn sure don't want to have some "factory trained" dealer creating bigger problems, while trying to resolve what appears to be normal. I did have a simular sound but only on cold starts with a Toyota, which I beat silly everyday for 90k miles before trading it in. In my experiance the quietest engines have the least amount life left, due very high mileage.

I mentioned the engine chatter during my annual service, and the Techs "ordered parts" to correct it. The parts are in, so I'm taking it back to Hendrick Porsche in the morning. I'll let you know what they do - - and if it's effective. Greg'

I may be way off base. But, are ya'all sure its not just the aluminum metal contraction from heat and cooling thru the exhaust system? I can hear the clicking sound while the engine is running and after I shut it down. Had the same sound with my 83z car and the 81 911 .

I have a flatish spot around 2000 rpm and a noise which sounds like a rather loud single click that seems to let go every now and again (very, very ocassionaly once or twice a day not long after the car has started up) which appears to come from just above my head. Is this the noise people are referring to here or is it something else?

I have a 2007, 2.7L. Have heard the same tapping/clicking sound but felt it was just Porsche . Glad to read this post. Seems to be loudest in lower gears and not detected in 5th. Getting ready to take in for service at 13,500 and will talk with the tech.

What was the outcome of this? What did they end up replacing? Miles

So... what happened? how did it turn out?