996 Engine Whine - Is this normal on recentlyrebuilt engine?

[angrybob]

Hi all,

I have a weird whine in my 03 996 which makes it sound like a sewing machine. Unfortunately I have only had the car a few weeks.

I have done many searches and heard similar sounds with no conclusive solution. Some says its normal, a couple of others have identified thrust bearing or pilot bearing.

Key points:
- The whine varies with revs
- Occurs when stationary, does not matter if moving or not
- Depressing the clutch makes no difference
- Also occurs with the serpentine belt removed, so not alternator/pulleys (I wish it was that easy!)
- It is not the SAI pump, that makes a different whine (and I have that one, but not bothered!)

This is also a Hartech rebuilt engine around 10k miles ago, also had the clutch done at the same time.

Find the sound with the belt on below (listen to revving):
http://youtu.be/8aujI_tbocY

Find the sound with the belt off (skip the pulley checking part), you will see they sound the same:
http://youtu.be/-zi633t8frU

Anyone had a similar problem and solved it? Or is it normal and I should not worry about it, because apart from that the engine sounds sweet.

Thanks

[BertBert]

What did Hartech say when you asked them?
Bert

[angrybob]

Nothing yet, today was where I just about pulled together all the videos.

I think I just want to acertain whether this is normal or not initially.

Apart from the 'whine' the engine sounds and performs very good, but I need to get some more reference points.

[Rockster]

Sounds like a 996 engine to me. While my hearing is not as good as it once was I hear nothing scary.

Years ago I gave a guy (my manager from work) a ride (40 miles) in my Boxster and he said riding in the Boxster was like riding in a sewing machine.

Go listen to some other 996 engines.

Then listen to yours again.

[alexisn]

Sounds fine to me

[BillTheButcher]

That sounds normal to me.

[RiccardoG]

Sounds like a normal 911 engine to me!

Whats this SAI whine you mention? I have a particular whine on my 997 coming from the interior which seems rev dependent (no, not the Mrs...) and has always baffled me.

[996TT02]

I think they all make "worrisome" noises, mine included!

[GentlePersuasion]

Want a worrisome noise?

Try starting a 997 GT3 after it's been sat for a while. The exhaust baffles make it sounds like it's just shat a rod!

OP, your engine sounds fine to me.

[isleofthorns]

i had the ims bearing replaced, and it certainly whines a bit more now - the garage said it was ok and said it seemed more normal in cases where the ims had been upgraded... not sure if there is any truth in that or if it was just their opinion / experience.

[petop]

Sounds normal to me and recently i have been listening to mine a lot with exhaust issues due to problem baffles so yours sounds fine.

[hartech]

Just to add that we do not like trying to diagnose noises on U Tube (too distorted) - but would be happy to listen to it if it is brought to us.

Unfortunately we don't recognise the customer name (so assume he was not our direct customer and so cannot trace what was done - what was changed or what was advised but not changed - or even how much of the job we did etc).

Thanks for the support anyway from you guys who have listened to it - not sure why the owner would not just have got in touch with us if he thought he had a problem rather than try and generate feedback first.

Did notice that it has been run without the coolant pump running - which is not good practice.

Baz

[petop]

I was just about to add that at the end of my post as not fully clued up on what the belt drives, but surely at least one non-moving pulley should have been spinning!

[BertBert]

hartech said:

not sure why the owner would not just have got in touch with us if he thought he had a problem rather than try and generate feedback first.

I wondered that too!

[monthefish]

angrybob said:

Nothing yet, today was where I just about pulled together all the videos.

OP - get your priorities sorted!! You don't say where you are in the country but if I were you I'd take a trip up to Hartech and take up Baz's kind offer above (it is a kind offer ,as I take it you're not a current customer of theirs) if you're genuinely concerned about the noise.


Hartech looked after my 996 (turbo) for 2 years and I was very happy with the service. They're good guys to have in your corner when it comes to Porsche ownership.


Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

[angrybob]

Hi all,

Thanks for your feedback.

Just to clarify regarding Hartech, they are 250 miles away from me right now and the rebuild (quite extensive) was from the previous owner of the car about 15months ago. I have all the details/job#. I preferred the approach of asking what is normal before I begin to bother what is a clearly very busy and reputable shop, and I would understand their reluctance to diagnose via a youtube clip and would much rather see a car in person.

Apologies for the name mention, this was from a positive viewpoint due to their considerable reputation I wouldn't expect there to be any problem. No malice intended as the engine sounds streets ahead of non rebuilt engines.

Regarding running with no belt, that was a stone cold engine running for 10s at most, and I figured it was worth the diagnostic as I would have been asked to try this anyway (or the local Indy would have done right away).

So looks like most people say this is normal for a 996 to sound like a whiney sewing machine (to me it sounds like a knackered bearing!). I think I will get some more reference points this weekend with other 996/986 and report back.

Thanks for input.

[Stefandk]

Think it's just IMS that needs grease and oil...notning to worry about;-))

(No really, it sounds fine to me)

Regards
Stefan
Denmark

[angrybob]

Well, IMS went once, whats another time between friends?

[L200animal]

Glad your engine sounds as horrible as mine does :0) Made me feel much better. I reckon it sounds just like my '02 996 C2 Targa. They do make some odd noises. If you want to hear something really horrible put it on a dyno and go stand next to it while its put through it's paces! Best wishes. I would just get out there and enjoy the experience.

[monthefish]

angrybob said:

Hi all,

Thanks for your feedback.

Just to clarify regarding Hartech, they are 250 miles away from me right now and the rebuild (quite extensive) was from the previous owner of the car about 15months ago. I have all the details/job#. I preferred the approach of asking what is normal before I begin to bother what is a clearly very busy and reputable shop, and I would understand their reluctance to diagnose via a youtube clip and would much rather see a car in person.

Apologies for the name mention, this was from a positive viewpoint due to their considerable reputation I wouldn't expect there to be any problem. No malice intended as the engine sounds streets ahead of non rebuilt engines.

Regarding running with no belt, that was a stone cold engine running for 10s at most, and I figured it was worth the diagnostic as I would have been asked to try this anyway (or the local Indy would have done right away).

So looks like most people say this is normal for a 996 to sound like a whiney sewing machine (to me it sounds like a knackered bearing!). I think I will get some more reference points this weekend with other 996/986 and report back.

Thanks for input.

Fair comment(s)