Looking for some help diagnosing my 2000
Boxster S
(~120k miles, 6-speed manual). I’m really hoping someone recognizes this noise.
Before a drive this morning it cranked weakly and wouldn’t start at first. When it finally did start, it was making a pretty nasty whirring/grinding noise from the engine bay. The idle was rough and it stalled once. Since then it starts every time and will run, but the noise is still there.
The noise follows RPM, but it doesn’t change at all with the clutch in or out.
Oil level is normal, oil temp comes up normally, and there are no warning lights on the dash.
The biggest thing I’ve done so far is remove the serpentine belt and briefly run the engine. The noise was exactly the same with the belt off, so I think that rules out the
alternator
, water pump, power steering pump, A/C compressor, etc. The only thing spinning was the crank pulley.
It’s really hard to tell where the noise is actually coming from. It seems like it’s around the crank pulley, but it could just as easily be coming from deeper in the engine.
Tomorrow I’m planning to cut open the oil filter and check for metal.
I stopped by a local
Porsche
shop and they watched the video for about 30 seconds before saying the engine is probably done, but they didn’t actually inspect the car.
The car still has the original
IMS bearing
as far as I know, so of course that’s in the back of my mind, but I’m trying not to jump to conclusions.
Has anyone had something similar happen on an M96? Is there anything besides internal engine damage that could make this kind of noise with the belt removed? And if I find metal in the oil filter, is that basically game over?
I’ll attach a video showing the noise. If anyone has a minute to listen, I’d really appreciate it. Really hoping someone can point me in the right direction before I assume the worst.
TL;DR: 2000
Boxster S
(120k, 6-speed) developed a loud RPM-dependent whirring/grinding noise, rough idle, and stalled once. Noise is unchanged with the serpentine belt removed or with the clutch in/out. Engine still starts and runs, oil level/temp are normal, and there are no warning lights. Original
IMS bearing
as far as I know. Video attached. Looking for ideas before assuming the engine is toast.
No video attached. Given issues with a “weak” starter, you may want to start looking there.
A great place to start, and of many dreaded possible culprits, easier and cheaper to fix.
youtube.com/watch?v=nOzA4kKEEZg&feature=youtu.be
Video of noise
Based on that - I see no reason to disagree with the opinion of the shop that heard it. I'll hazard a guess that you'll find metal in the oil filter and at this point - it's questionable if a used engine is an economic move that makes sense. A 120k mile 2000
Boxster
isn't bringing a bunch of money.
