Scary noise from engine bay

[Mark Elder]

Hello folks - I can't believe it's over a year since I was on here! Not been totally idle with the car but it has been a quiet year and last time she was out was mid November and now it's time to start thinking about putting the summer wheels back on[].

Anyway - reason for post is I need some help identifying what's causing this horribly expensive sounding noise.

I had a noise from over my right shoulder occasionally (could not hear at normal road speed). It was there on and off for a month. More obvious when cold (so my garage never got to hear it - because he is 50 miles away and the engine was warm). From inside car it's like a swarm of bees just outside the rear right window.

Then back in November I did a 200 mile trip and the noise got louder (could hear at normal road speed and was continuous now). When I got home and listened in engine bay it was obvious it was coming from top right side of engine (it's loudest in that area).
It does not seem to change in tone as RPM increases. It just gets louder. So I'm hoping it is something lose and rattling rather than some seriously expensive internal engine component. Listening in the engine bay there's a distinct tinny rattle to the noise. It's louder than the engine!

I was about to go into hospital for a major op so decided better to switch off and await recovery and the spring!
Spring is not here but I'm recovered!

I don't want to drive her over to Edinburgh to see my mechanic until I've got some sense of what it is because I don't want to do more damage. I'll have to get her trailered unless someone can tell me what it probably is.
I've recorded the sound so you wise folk can have a listen.

youtu.be/wzd7EOovo9s - location of noise in engine bay
youtu.be/2bvqurL3W-o - does not change with engine RPM

Any thoughts?

 

[BarryN]

Hello

The noise does seem to change proportionalply to RPM.
I would remove your belts and listen again, I suspect your air con compressor followed by your alternator bearing.

Good luck.

Barry

 

[Steelback]

Give Kev Waterhouse a call at DW Performance Ltd on 01933 223418. He is nowhere near you but is a font of Porsche knowledge and might be able to help. Doesn't sound mechanical to me, almost sounds like a belt rubbing or something like. Hope you get it sorted asap.

 

[Mark Elder]

Thanks for the ideas Maurice and others. Doing more listening to the exact location of the sound I've convinced myself also that it's the air con compressor. Strange, as it was only replaced about 3 years ago. There is a slight change of sound if I switch the air con off/on - so that also points to the bearing on the compressor.

So I tried to remove its drive belt but, having loosened the 4 bolts that hold the compressor in place on it's slotted frame, the compressor is still stuck firm (there is visible alloy corrosion where the compressor meets the slotted frame). Gentle hits with my lump hammer didn't break its grip. Of course the main problem is I don't know how hard I can get away with hitting it!

Anyway I feel I'm not going to do any harm by driving her to Edinburgh so I'll go and see what my mechanic says. It's time for a service anyway.

Will update you when I know the outcome.

 

[chaser]

If the air con compressor was replaced only 3 years ago there is a heck of a lot of corrosion on it, appreciate where you live there may be a lot of salt on the roads. Also the corrosion looks to have a green tint to it that could be test dye for the air con system ?

 

[Mark Elder]

Turns out this is the power steering pump running dry because the rack is leaking both sides. Still waiting to hear back on potential solutions to that (and if any damage to pump [8|]).

 

[Graham-S]

If the rack is leaking best get it off and send it to western power steering. https://shop.westernpowersteering.co.uk
They did a full refurb on mine with 1 or 2 years warranty for £200 from Memory. Been about 5 years now since mine was done now. Graham

 

[Mark Elder]

Thanks Graham - this (£175) seems a bit of a bargain compared to my expectation of the PC price.
https://shop.westernpower...o.uk/category-184.html
Anyone else have long term experience of how good reconditioning from this firm is?
(I was a bit put-off by their home page saying they specialize in Fiat Panda steering problems!)

 

[Graham-S]

I had a brand new Rack at Reading OPC back in 2005 and it was £900 fitted and when it leaked approx years ago it was then going to be £1800 fitted! Found Western Power Steering on ebay when looking for another rack and rang them.

I know other that have used them with no issues. I could get it repaired so many times over for the price of new OEM one. The main thing that goes wrong with them is the seals.

Graham

 

[jmaddox]

You have probably sorted this now but Western Power Steering rebuilt mine and it was excellent.

 

[Mark Elder]

John - yes that is my intention. Many good things said about Western. Currently I have the car back because I'm doing a road trip next week with some friends and no one had a ramp spare for the 5 days the rack will be away at Western in my window of opportunity. The leak is very slow so I'm justing keeping a careful eye on it. (No sign of anything on my drive-way and the fluid level in reservoir doesn't seem to move - except for on one journey - but I've no idea what I did differently on that journey).

 

[kitchens]

Hi Mark sorry to hear about your health issue and hope you are well now ,its been a few years since our Le Mans weekend 2014 where do the years go Hope you can come to some local events this year .I am sure you will get the car back on the road soon ,who do you use in Edinburgh for repairs ? Enjoy your week away .
Regards
Brian

 

[Mark Elder]

Hi Brian - was it really 2014!!
It's Brian Miller I use in Edinburgh - he has been brilliant over the years.
Yes I must get along to some events.
Regards