Problem, any suggestions before I contact OPC?

[colski1961]

Had my new Cayman for just over 6 weeks and 750 miles in. Last week I thought I'd go a bit of debris under the car as could hear a tinny rattle/scraping noise. Pulled over and checked the underside, wheels, brakes etc and nothing. Starting driving again, listening, nothing so assumed it was something that I'd picked up and was cleared.
Just been out for my usual run and after an hour of driving A & B roads enjoying the drive it happened again, although the noise was still there after I stopped and re-started and seemed to be coming from the engine bay (from the central section behind my left elbow). Sounded like a tinny metallic rasping, something rubbing on a fan of something caught in a moving part. Drove home gingerly and cleared before I got home - when back again checked for any debris but nothing.
It's a worrying noise as it does seem to be coming from the engine bay, although I don't have the kit to open up and take a look, plus being a brand new car I don't think I should. However the OPC is 3 hours away and I don't want to take the trip unless I have to.
Anyone got any thoughts or pointers?
Thanks, Colin

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Colin,

A tinny rattle would indicate something like a light metal shield of some kind - an exhaust shield perhaps? Can you get the rear of the car raised slightly so that you can get a good look underneath? It's not that difficult to remove the engine cover if you want to take a peek from the top either:

[link=http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/service-items/p12-porsche-engine-cover-26amp-3b-air-filter-removal.html]http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/service-items/p12-porsche-engine-cover-26amp-3b-air-filter-removal.html[/link]

Jeff

 

[colski1961]

Thanks Jeff,

unfortunately I don't have anything to raise the rear (safely) and I've tried to squeeze my bulk as far as I could underneath to take a look but can't see anything on either side. Thanks for the guide as to getting at the engine from the top - I'll give that a go and see if I can spot anything. You're right on the heat shield sound thought, they do make the right kind of noise so maybe there's one loose in there somewhere? but still looking like it's a trip to the OPC.

Cheers, Colin

 

[Motorhead]

Colin,

Unfortunately the article is for a 987 Cayman but yours shouldn't be much different.

Also, you're covered by Porsche Assistance so it may be a good idea to contact them if you're concerned about driving the car. They'll pick it up and transport it to your PC for repair and they'll probably organise the return to your home as well.

Good luck!

Jeff

 

[garyrmartin43]

Hi Colin.

Directly behind the seats is the alternator and drive belt so maybe something has come loose in this area.

Also if you have run over something perhaps the undertray has come loose and is resonating at certain engine speeds.

Gary.

 

[colski1961]

update - called Porsche Assist this morning and car is now collected and on it's way to the OPC - will be delivered back using the same method when sorted. Hope it doesn't take too long

 

[Motorhead]

The best thing to have done Colin, I think. The PC should get things sorted quickly and get you back on the road ASAP.

Keep us posted on the cause.

Jeff

 

[colski1961]

So, an update.

OPC has had the car since Monday evening (collected from me by Porsche Assist and delivered to the OPC), pretty much stripped the engine bay down and run several times - including running with the engine covers off - no sign of the noise

Done as much as they can and now returning to me via the same method with an instruction to record the noise as soon as it starts again - to give them some ideas as to what it could be.

I'm hoping that the transit and fiddling with parts has solved it....maybe being optimistic. Just hope I don't have months of back/forth trying to get to the bottom of it, worse case scenario on an intermittent fault.....

...will update further when I get the car back and if the noise comes back.

Cheers, Colin

 

[Motorhead]

Rats.! Those intermittent noises are the worst kind Colin. You'll just have to persevere with it if it returns again to see if there's a particular driving condition which causes it.

Does the noise only occur when you're moving? If so, I presume that you've ruled out it being caused by a rattling rear brake disc cover (backing) plate?

Jeff

 

[Terry]

Does the noise appear only when the car is moving or is it also there when the engine is ticking over when stationary?

I ask because our Boxster made a similar sounding noise which was caused by the electric handbrake not always clearing fully. Giving the handbrake a couple of applications usually cleared the noise.

 

[colski1961]

Hi Jeff & Terry,

thanks for the comments.

yes noise only happens when moving, stops as soon as stationary and doesn't always come back when you move off again. Been around all the brakes and shields (as have the OPC) but that would have been a good & valid call. Not sure on the electronic handbrake, I'll give that a go when I get it back.

Other than that, fingers crossed that the fettling done by the OPC and the transport to/from has removed the cause....we'll see.

Cheers, Colin

 

[Buddy]

I had noises on my Boxster, heat shields, or rather corroded fasteners, then on my Gen1 Cayman S they were from a trim bolt on the side window and a broken wiring clip on the hatch.

All intermittent and not easy to track down