I've got an annoying clacking noise coming from my engine at idle on my 2008 Carrera 2S, 6spd. The noise seems to go away when the motor is rev'd. The car has 86K miles on it, but still runs very strong and uses no oil. Just had serpentine belt and idler arms/tensioner replaced, but noise still there. I've seen on other blogs where this is "normal." Any ideas on what this could be? Thanks in advance for inputs.

 

I don t know but will be interested to hear what comes up here..
I had a 2010 MB E550 (new) that had the same thing. Once above idle it was gone. A search found that there happened to be a series of cars that had a scored cylinder during assembly. Dealer looked at the car and said it was normal. I traded it in for the Porsche. But not to scare you, you may be fine, just know that this sound can happen with a scored cylinder among other things. Kinda hard to make any statement with even hearing the engine. Could be lack of oil at idle somewhere in the motor. And it just may be normal. I have a Subaru that clacks real loud at idle and with 80K miles doesn t use a drop of oil or anything.(Perfectly normal for that motor, and it s a boxer engine also).... Curious to see what other say.

 

Yeah, I've heard about the possibility of a scored cylinder thing, too. I hope not, that's an expensive repair. Believe me though, if I have to have the engine torn down, it will be going back together with some extra ponies in it.

 

It might help if you could post a video and/or sound clip.

 

Without an audio clip no one can offer anything but a WAG. Even with an audio clip it is real hard to say because it is impossible to know from where the noise is coming from and knowing this as close a possible helps one to know what the possible causes are and teh next steps.

Best have the noise listened by an experienced technician. He can advise you.

Borescoring? Not likely. Seems this is the new IMSB for the newer engines.

It could be a loose plug or an exhaust leak.

Get the engine listened to by a technician.

 

Noise is coming from the right side of the engine. I will load a video later today.

 

Does it go away once it's warmed up?

Could be the alternator or air compressor bearings?

 

on my vw type1 it was usually a lifter, pushrod or rockerarm, not sure if P motor is the same

 

Ha! I come from the vw type 1 world as well. Wife said I could only keep one rear engined car so I traded up to the 997.

 

I agree on the bore scoring...he says it runs great and uses no oil. He did say that his car is an '08, so he has the older engine.

 

No. It doesn't go away once warmed up. Yeah, I have the -1 motor, but not the one covered by the embarrassing recall, missed that one by a couple of years. Anyway, per an earlier request, I have attached a couple of YouTube links to a couple of videos that pick up the sound pretty well (the second is probably the better of the two to capture the noise). The more I think about it, it's prob a bearing in one of the externals in the belt loop, but don't know - maybe the videos will help someone out there. I really appreciate all the inputs I've been getting. Thanks!

First link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzNMs...ature=youtu.be

Second link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwN1B...ature=youtu.be

 

Unless your intension is to self diagnose and repair the engine yourself, I'd get it to a competent mechanic sooner rather than later. Nothing you get here in the way of a guess is going to do you as much good as a timely diagnosis by a knowledgeable mechanic.

 

+1 (agree with the above).

I listened to both vids and that's a tough one. For reference, I had the same clank noise about a month ago on my 07 C4S. My noise had "no" pattern at all and would disappear once the rev is 'above' idle. It turned out to be the alternator (inside is shot and the pulley was also stuck).

Noises are always too hard to diagnose without actually being next to the physical car. I hope that yours would be a simple issue.

 

Definitely take it in for a bore scope. That sounds like possible scoring on a cylinder. i should know...i just had my entire engine replaced by Porsche...under warranty, thank god !

keep us posted.

 

I would think if it was a cylinder issue it would be a steady rhythm. Since it's so irregular in rhythm I still think its belt related. Loose pulley or tensioner, or a bad bearing on something in the belt loop. Almost sounds like a nut fell off of something and it banging around.

Take it to the shop. Better yet, if you have an Indy maybe you can get them to make a house call. I'm always hesitant to drive when something isn't right for fear of causing serious damage.