Cayman 2.7 - Ticking Noise drivers side??

[SpazaB]

Hi guys,

This is my first post, so bare with me.

I am looking to come off my work scheme and spend roughly the same monthly money on something alot more fun for a couple of years, that I can call my own. Therefore I am in the market for a second hand MK1 Porsche Cayman, with a budget of up to £15-£16k. (Another option was the Z43.0si, but i want to stay away from BMW's
if i can help it)

Following advice from almost everyone anywhere on any forum, I'm going for a 2.7 due to the reliability benefits. I know they aren't perfect, but they're alot more robust from what research tells me.

This is where my issue lies - I've found one relatively local, with <50k miles and good service history; however, upon start up and as the engine warmed, there was a slight ticking noise from the drivers side.

This could show the start of the dreaded RMS issue, looking under the car there was no oil leaking. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the issue, as some people are also saying its nothing to worry about, just normal Porsche engine noise.

I understand this has probably been asked thousands of times, so if anyone could point me in the right direction for something that i have missed, or has some advice on anything to look out for upon second viewing, i would be extremely grateful.

Cheers

SpazaB

[SpazaB]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Apologies, i got my abreviations mixed up, IMS!

Thanks for the reply though, I'll take that on board!

[Trotmant]

I had a gen 1 3.4s same noise. Turned out to be piston scoring which progressively got worse to the point the engine failed. Would suggest a scope of the pistons is a must

[Beanoir]

Agree with Moose, my CS was diagnosed with noise injectors causing a ticking sound.

Best to get it checked though as it could be something else, very difficult for anybody hear to say without getting in there and looking at it.

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agreed. All I would say is I had the same inital feedback re the injectors and turned out to be a scored pistons - which then meant a rebuild via Hartec. But then I've not owned a 2.7 and all the comments I read from gen 1 3.4s owners is the problems can be bigger with the 3.4.

However I'm not sure I could like with a 2.9k - I just love the addtional power of the 3.4 and the rasp that comes with it. (assuming you can afford to bankroll the repairs if you have a loud foot!)

[tyrrell]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

+ 1 reason I got rid of mine, shame because I loved the car.

[tyrrell]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

+ 1 reason I got rid of mine, shame because I loved the car.

[Rockster]

SpazaB said:

Hi guys,

This is my first post, so bare with me.

I am looking to come off my work scheme and spend roughly the same monthly money on something alot more fun for a couple of years, that I can call my own. Therefore I am in the market for a second hand MK1 Porsche Cayman, with a budget of up to £15-£16k. (Another option was the Z43.0si, but i want to stay away from BMW's
if i can help it)

Following advice from almost everyone anywhere on any forum, I'm going for a 2.7 due to the reliability benefits. I know they aren't perfect, but they're alot more robust from what research tells me.

This is where my issue lies - I've found one relatively local, with <50k miles and good service history; however, upon start up and as the engine warmed, there was a slight ticking noise from the drivers side.

This could show the start of the dreaded RMS issue, looking under the car there was no oil leaking. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the issue, as some people are also saying its nothing to worry about, just normal Porsche engine noise.

I understand this has probably been asked thousands of times, so if anyone could point me in the right direction for something that i have missed, or has some advice on anything to look out for upon second viewing, i would be extremely grateful.

Cheers

SpazaB

The noise could be from a lifter. A noisy injector. An exhaust leak. Or possibly something deeper.

The trouble is it is hard to know for sure until the actual source of the noise is identified and dealt with. If you buy the car you get with it some risk the noise is something serious which can have you facing a huge repair bill.

I prefer to buy cars that exhibit no issues when being checked out.

The first rule of used car buying is there is always another car.

My advice would be to keep looking.

[Johnthepotter]

It could be a cam lifter - if noise only occurs after start up. This is caused by oil draining from the hydraulic tappets. it should disappear when the engine has warmed up. I suggest that you take car for a run and see if noise disappears.

[SpazaB]

Thanks everyone for your input.

I agree, it apears that the 3.4 CS' seem to be much more prone to this sort of issue, and is why I am so concerned that there is a ticking or potential problem with a 2.7!

From what you guys are saying, the best bet is just to get an expert to listen to it and get their opinion.

I have found a local specialist who is willing to view the car with me when he gets back off holiday early next week, so hopefully it wont have been sold by then... The dealer is giving me the usual "we've got alot of interest in this car" malarky!

Having said that... It's a "prefect car" acording to the service record and backgorund check, the price is extremely reasonable for the mileage and visual condition. Which is why I'm even more concerned they've dropped the price by £500 and its not been sold in almost 2 months!!

[Rockster]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sorry, that's BS based on my experience. My 2008 Cayman S engine was quiet. And I have heard a number of other engines, both 3.4l and the smaller engines, and engines in different models, too, over time and most were quiet, that is without any regular, periodic, rhythmic ticking noises. Very rarely I encountered a noisy engine but this was because the car was in the shop to have the source of the noise ID'd.

Any regular, periodic, rhythmic ticking is not normal.

However, human nature is to see or in this case hear a pattern when there really is no a pattern. What one has to be careful about is assigning a pattern or regularity to a random symphony of ticking noises these engines produce. Even though I know this once in a while I let my imagination get the better of me -- for just a half a moment -- and half scare myself hearing a disturbing ticking/knocking noise from deep inside my 03 996 Turbo. But then reality regains control and I remember about the darn transmission input shaft and depress and release the clutch pedal and the noise is gone. Until the next time I let my imagination get the better of me.

If the OP believes there is a regular ticking and he is not confident in his ability to distinguish a normal sounding engine from one producing abnormal noises, he should enlist the help of an experienced/trusted tech.

If the tech finds the engine noisy in a bad way then walk away from the car unless the tech can assure the OP the noise is while abnormal not an expensive problem to deal with (perhaps a leaking exhaust, or a plug loose, etc.) then buy the car if the car meets or exceeds requirements in all other areas.

[Rockster]

SpazaB said:

Thanks everyone for your input.

I agree, it apears that the 3.4 CS' seem to be much more prone to this sort of issue, and is why I am so concerned that there is a ticking or potential problem with a 2.7!

From what you guys are saying, the best bet is just to get an expert to listen to it and get their opinion.

I have found a local specialist who is willing to view the car with me when he gets back off holiday early next week, so hopefully it wont have been sold by then... The dealer is giving me the usual "we've got alot of interest in this car" malarky!

Having said that... It's a "prefect car" acording to the service record and backgorund check, the price is extremely reasonable for the mileage and visual condition. Which is why I'm even more concerned they've dropped the price by £500 and its not been sold in almost 2 months!!

A good lot of service records and blemish free history and a spotless background check count for something, but what counts for something too is how the car runs, sounds, drives, behaves when you look it over. Condition. Condition. Condition. The 3 most important things when buying a used car.

If the car has all of what you claim going for it, there is no reason for the seller to drop the price. In fact unless you just happened to come upon the car very shortly after it went on market the car would have sold before you got to it.

Everything a car salesman tells you is intended to get you buy the car as soon as possible and to pay as much for it as possible.

While dropping the price seems to contradict that dropping the price when the seller believes he has a customer nearly hooked is just, if you'll pardon the expression, attempting to set hook before reeling the fish in. It is the seller sacrificing an inconsequential amount of money -- used car prices generally have a 25% or more profit built in so the seller has plenty of room to offer a small discount as an enticement -- in order to sell the car. This suggests the seller is very anxious, more so than normal, to move the car.

Generally a car salesman will firm up on his price, dig in his heels, if he detects he has a real buyer for the car. Try negotiating a lower price after spotting a car on the lot and running up to it while shouting "I love this car!".

Remember: There is always another car. No car is worth buying if it promises to give you a big old expensive repair bill almost as soon as you drive it off the lot.

However, different yokes for different folks. If you are that hot to own the car with the risk involved, price a worst case scenario repair to address the tick and then if you are comfortable betting that kind of money buy the car and cross your fingers you do not have to pay off the bet.

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It didn't just happen once it happend twice!! 1-2 first time then 5-6 second. All I can say is she was run hard, but well within what I would consider fair use. just hope the 981 block is stronger!!

[thegoose]

Rockster said:

....used car prices generally have a 25% or more profit built in...

Can you please tell me where to buy my stock? I'm going to be rich!!

I think you'll find most car dealers make under 10% profit on turnover (perhaps 5-6% is seen as quite good actually).

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yep, so factory engine went with 1-2 after 4yrs, so was OPC outside warranty, but had a warranty with Paragon who I bought it from. To be fair they honoured the work free of charge. So that was a complete refit with Hartect ~£5k swallow for them, they didn't charge themselves labour though on the receipt clearly. The the second was 5-6 last year that was outside of all warranties as car was just 6yrs old at this point. Quote £10k to replace. Car was in mint condition otherwise. Gave up on her and instead replaced with a new 981 CGTS in the hope of less headaches. So far so good!

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

The former... they did only the 1 bank, as the scope clearly showed the second bank was fine. In a perfect world clearly both banks would have been done, but given it was a warranty job, they were only going to swallow so much. To be fair when I had it back the first time, Hartect had done a great job, no issues etc...and got another 10k miles out of it, before the second bank went. You can imagine my face when I found out the second bank had gone! To be fair even Paragon who looked after the car for 3yrs for me, where very surprised. Guess I have a heavy foot and its really is a weak block. As was had £'000s spent each yr on oil servicing etc for each season so no excuse really.

[FrankCayman]

SpazaB said:

Hi guys,

This is my first post, so bare with me.

I am looking to come off my work scheme and spend roughly the same monthly money on something alot more fun for a couple of years, that I can call my own. Therefore I am in the market for a second hand MK1 Porsche Cayman, with a budget of up to £15-£16k. (Another option was the Z43.0si, but i want to stay away from BMW's
if i can help it)

Following advice from almost everyone anywhere on any forum, I'm going for a 2.7 due to the reliability benefits. I know they aren't perfect, but they're alot more robust from what research tells me.

This is where my issue lies - I've found one relatively local, with <50k miles and good service history; however, upon start up and as the engine warmed, there was a slight ticking noise from the drivers side.

This could show the start of the dreaded RMS issue, looking under the car there was no oil leaking. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the issue, as some people are also saying its nothing to worry about, just normal Porsche engine noise.

I understand this has probably been asked thousands of times, so if anyone could point me in the right direction for something that i have missed, or has some advice on anything to look out for upon second viewing, i would be extremely grateful.

Cheers

SpazaB

Both my 987's (2.7 and a 2.9) made a ticking noise. My 2.7 981 does too....I think you can just hear more of what's going on through the vent on the side than a normal car thats engine is usually tucked away under a padded bonnet!

[FrankCayman]

Trotmant said:

Car was in mint condition otherwise. Gave up on her !

Did you sell it needing repair? How easy was it to shift?

[Trotmant]

imho i would not run the risk if you can afford to upgrade to either a gen2, R or 981 (either in S or GTS guise) all are rather special.

my biggest regret was having that same belief as you and tbh overall it cost me a £5-6k hit when I had to get rid of it... if I could turn down back the clock when I first had it fixed, I should ok cashed my chips in then and make the excuse to buy another. But then my heart ruled and despite the 981 loved the old skool look of the gen 1

[stuartmcg]

FrankCayman said:

Both my 987's (2.7 and a 2.9) made a ticking noise. My 2.7 981 does too....I think you can just hear more of what's going on through the vent on the side than a normal car thats engine is usually tucked away under a padded bonnet!

I was thinking my new 2.7 981 was a bit noisy with the ticking especially at cold start. Doesn't seem to be as bad when at temp. Glad to hear that it's normal.