968 sounds like a tractor on start up - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I never had any such noises on mine,it sounded as sweet on start up as running..the car was 5ok miles on it with a full top end overhaul at 43k miles. I would suggest you have a specialist check the top end out,while it is running.Any top end failures on 968 can cost a lot of money to sort out..You may not have a problem at all hopefully. It may be as simple as an oil change using clean oil of the correct grade. >> Edited by clubsport on Friday 18th July 09:47

Could be the hydraulic push rods. Theoretically they are scheduled to be replaced every 60,000 miles but practically they should not make any serious trouble before 120,000 miles if the engine is well taken care of. What oil pressure do you get on idle and on the drive ?

I brought a 968 about 4 years ago, which sounded an old tractor. When I brought it (from a main dealer) I told them that I would only accept the car when the noise on start up had been fixed (as it was a lovely car anyway). I had a 944 previous (and my brother had 2 x 944's and a 968 cab - and none of them sounded like this) - that big 4 starting up is (IMO) a v.v distinctive sound. Anyway after being delivered it became apparent that it wasn't happy at all and the noise was still there. Knowing this wasn't right, I just told them I wanted to return the car. A day later they came and picked it up, and refunded me.. Although nice at the time, I'm glad I returned the car, as I'm sure it was going to go bang... jj (p.s - your car isn't a blue 'M' plate with history including aircon being retro fitted & cam belts being changed at about 36k is it...?)

my starter motor sounds quite agricultural (compared to the beemer anyway) and it clatters a bit when it catches but it idles smoothly immediately with the fuel pump sound from the rear for a few seconds, is this what you mean or does it actually idle poorly for a noticeable period? might post an mpeg/sound file of mine on startup if i get round to it

CoupeMan Yes that's what I meant by on start up. Sorry I don't think I explained myself very well in my first post. The car idles as smooth as anything from cold. It's when I'm actually turning it over that it sounds like a tractor. Once it fires up and I release the ignition key so it springs back to it's normal position the engine sounds fine straight away. It's just that a few people (not car knowledgeable people I have to say) commented on the noise when I turn it over. Just wondered if this was normal. Other sports cars that I’ve had always had quite a tight whine to them on turnover - unlike this one.

Don't mean to alarm you but the only time i have heard of clatter like you were describing (admitedly not on a porker) was when the starter gear was buggering about on the flywheel and causing some rubbage on the crank bearings. bearing in mind you car is unlikely to be very high mileage prbably not the case - it could be as innoncent as the starter motor bushings starting to go... I am just perusing the porsche forums out of interest - i don't own one, but starter motors don't usually "clatter" and i would get it checked over. FYI Rover V8's often start with a "death rattle" on a morning which is no oil pressure on start up for a few seconds until oilways are filled. Do you have any time frame for when the noise started from - eg service interval or something? If possible you could try turning over starter until the oil pressure reads off of zero, then hold the starter on to let the engine kick in. At least you will have sent some oil into engine before it starts from cold. >> Edited by Buffalo on Tuesday 22 July 17:06

This is very different from your initial descrption of your problem that we previously diagnosed. Without actually hearing your car,,i think it is fair to say that I have never heard a 968 motor sound like it is up for the job.it is always a relief when the thing starts as aurally it is not the best introduction to what the car has to offer.

Yes, mine has never sounded good when starting but it's done 20,000 miles since I bought it, about 1/3rd of that on the track and nothing's gone bang (yet :-) ). Martin

I’ve noticed that my car sounds like a bag of spanners when I turn it over in the morning. Only for a few seconds until it's idling properly and it doesn’t seem to affect the running of it. It’s been like this since I had it but I have to say it sounds a bit odd to me. Do they all do this?