31 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 Mechanical help needed
Reported or suspected cause
seed pod
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
My 996 started making a really unpleasant noise several months ago - turned out to be a seed pod from a tree that made its way through the wing intake slits into the engine compartment fan.
Leading evidence: 'seed pod' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'seed pod' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check accessories (ac, water pump, alternator) pulleys' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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Reported cause
Here's to hoping that your problem is so easily resolved.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Not to highjack the thread, but I replaced all four O2 sensors.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I finally got under the car with a drill and some stainless sheet metal screws and tightened the two halves together.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
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Suspected cause
I would not run the engine until the problem is identified and fixed.
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Suggestion
This is hopefully something simple and not costly, but if it's something like a disintegrating water pump that needs to be fixed right you you could end up with hot spots that will cost you a motor (or at least a very painful repair).
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
seed pod
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
My 996 started making a really unpleasant noise several months ago - turned out to be a seed pod from a tree that made its way through the wing intake slits into the engine compartment fan.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
31 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T025149Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
hello everyone I'm new to this, I had a quick question and need someone's best mechanical advice on what the problem could be, how much it could cost, and if it's a problem that needs too be fixed right away, and should I reduce driving the car,
I'm gonna try and give as much information as I can and if you need more please ask...
The car is a 2003 Porsche 911 Cabriolet with 144k miles. Everything is pretty much bone stock besides the exhaust system. The previous owner put a "fab speed" set up on it.. Which made the check engine light on, The problem I'm having is I started noticing a strange noise coming from under the rear hood. It sounds like it is coming from the serpentine belt or alternator, well at least that's where it's at its loudest, the only way I can describe what kind of noise it sounds like is like a "Tin can" rattling, grinding, of some sort, from inside the car it is just as loud from hearing it with the hood open. Only difference is it sounds more like a grinding, rather than a rattling tin can.. I noticed that when I rev alittle above 1500 rpm is goes silent but then comes back after I stop revving, I also noticed it gets like 50% quiter when I turn the AC or Heat on... Like i explained earlier due to the fact it sounds like a rattling/grinding tin can. It's not one continuous noise/pitch or whatever you wanna call it, like a knock in the motor for example. It's one continuous clack-clack-clack noise doesn't get any louder or lower... In my case it differences .. Like some times Itll get louder for a split second, than rattle lower, ect... From what I'm hearing it really sounds like to me something broke off SOMEWHERE. I'm assuming in the alternator or belt and is now rattling or grinding around.... I really tried my best too explain. But if you still have no clue what I'm saying (which I don't blame you) lol I recorded a video of it but I don't no how to post it on the forum. I can either email it to you or text... Thank you for your time reading this.... Next post wi be better lol,
Oh, and the reason why I mentioned about the exhaust and the Check engine light is because. Due to the fact that the lights been on since the previous owner upgraded the exhaust. Now I can't tell if the light would be on if the exhaust would've never been put on because of the noise that's coming from under the hood.
First remove the serpentine belt and hand spin ALL pulleys and see if they make any noise or feels gritty. Then start the engine (cold) w/o the belt and run it for a minute or so to see if the noise is still there.
Then get a mechanic's stethoscope to poke around carefully. It could be the element is knocked loose in one of the cats. Could also be exhaust heat shields touching something.
Dare I postulate that it could be IMSB-related?
I have a FabSpeed system too, and get CELs from it periodically. I bought a little OBD II reader that Ahsai recommended. It was only about $10 online. When the CELs pop up, I check to see what they are, and then clear them.
^^^ Yeah, after that huge ordeal FabSpeed finally did replace them. I still get CELs once in awhile. The car will be fine for months, then a CEL will pop on.
The codes are always related to the cats, but several different codes may pop up. I clear them, and they randomly pop on every once in awhile.
I've had the exhaust system checked out by two shops, and neither can figure out why.
Example:
Note: Some noises like you describe can be explained by mundane problems; others can be REALLY expensive and will get more expensive if you keep running the car. So, the decision on whether to keep driving it or to have a mechanic look at it immediately is yours.
If you decide to keep troubleshooting on your own:
Like others have said, check the accessories (AC, water pump, alternator) pulleys with the belt removed, and run it briefly with the belt removed.
A chunked catalytic converter can make a hellacious racket. If you can get under the car and you have a rubber mallet, whack the cats while the car is off. If you hear the same rattle, your cats might be going bad.
Also check the heat shields all around the engine and exhaust. A metal part rattling against one of the heat shields can make a terrible racket.
My 996 started making a really unpleasant noise several months ago - turned out to be a seed pod from a tree that made its way through the wing intake slits into the engine compartment fan. Whenever the fan came on, it sounded like all hell was breaking loose. Here's to hoping that your problem is so easily resolved.
"Tin can rattling" is often used to describe what you hear just before your engine goes **** up due to a failed IMSB. Usually you only get seconds of that, so that you've continue to run it and it indeed still runs you can probably rule that one out. An oil change + inspection is still probably good.
As already indicated, one of the accessories is probably the source and the water pump is probably your biggest risk if it has gone and thrown bits around the motor.
If you aren't comfortable with the ideas that have been put forward, get a mechanic that knows something about the 996 and its motor to look at it and limit its running time (like none) until then. This is hopefully something simple and not costly, but if it's something like a disintegrating water pump that needs to be fixed right you you could end up with hot spots that will cost you a motor (or at least a very painful repair).
P2096 is pointing to the two O2 sensors in bank 1. You can try to disconnect the electrical connectors and clean the pins and reconnect them first. If the same code comes back, replace both O2 sensors in bank 1.
My mufflers rattle like crazy and have a baffle loose, worth kicking the exhaust system to see if that is an issue.
I got a cheap $15 Bluetooth obd2 or whatever reader. Totally worth having with these cars.
How is your oil drain plug?
Could be a bad crush washer. I'd flatbed to an Indy and start drinking until I heard back. Then, you'll be in the correct frame of mind no matter what he tells you. Good luck!
I'll venture a WAG - alternator pulley free wheel lock, or alternator bearings.
Do as the others have suggested, remove the serpentine belt and hand turn all pulleys, alternator, water pump, AC, power steering pump. Check for any roughness, noise, smoothness. I would not run the engine until the problem is identified and fixed.
Could be, the drain plug issue has the potential to be as large or larger than the IMDb going out!
Along with having roadside assistance, it's also great to carry with some nice scotch, cognac, or Armagnac along with proper drinking glasses - and a spare watch.
On my Boxster the heat shields below rattled horribly when taking off in first gear. So pulling away from a Starbuck's after the person at the window said nice car, you got this insane rattle, talk about embarrassing. I finally got under the car with a drill and some stainless sheet metal screws and tightened the two halves together.
porsche 996 noise - YouTube
I uploaded a video for a better understanding of the noise. I forgot to mention above that the noise has been like that for about a month and never really payed much attention until last week. The car runs and drives fine. Lots of power, idles fine (besides the noise) no hesitation . Gears and clutch is good. Like I said, everything is fine I just can't put my finger on what the noise could be coming from... P...S from what I know of the "IMS" thing everyone keeps mentioning. If this was my case I'm pretty sure the car would've died a month ago when I first heard it, so i doubt it has anything to do with that...
Oh and sorry I have not replied to anyone i forgot my password (dumb) and it was a hassle to get back, and also I'm new to this. So I dont no how to navigate much,,,, thanks to all for your feedback. I appreciate it,
Well, my impression is that it is not IMS for sure. It sounds like a rattle of some kind. And the sound is not constant but sinusoidal. Like others have said, check your accessories and exhaust system. Maybe something is just loose.
