Noise cayman 987.1 S

[stoo]

Hi everyone, I'm into about a month of ownership of a 2007 3.4S, queue the paranoia of engine noises!

Can any Cayman owners tell me if this is a normal noise or not (timing chain for example).

It's a clicking/whirring noise that appears once the engine is warm at around 2-3000rpm. It appears under load and disappears at idle or with the clutch depressed. On the sound file I've attached the loud tapping is just my foot hitting the pedal.
The noise occurs with the revs.

Listen to Engine Noise (1) by Stoo #np on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/us..32932670/engine-noise-1

 

[Motorhead]

I'm afraid it's impossible to tell anything from that recording. You'd need to get a quality microphone down in the engine bay to get something representative. Most probably the sound is coming from the ancillaries, so you need to remove the engine cover behind the seats to gain access which would help diagnosis.

Maybe you're not familiar with mid-engine set-ups where you're very close to the "action" compared with a conventional - and better acoustically isolated - front engine I4 or V6/V8 arrangement. Also the boxer engine layout means that a lot of radiated sound leaks out the sides of the car.

Just relax and enjoy driving the car without being too analytical. If you're really concerned then take the car to a decent Porsche Indie for advice.

Jeff

 

[Ray]

Stoo, I agree with Jeff. If you are chasing a noise and unhappy then take it to the main guys.

Ray

 

[stoo]

Thanks for the replies. I've had the engine cover off. It's strange in that it is more noticeable with the cover on! The engine drowns out the noise with the cover off but with it on it seems to isolate that noise above all else.

I've had it to a respected indie who couldn't hear anything but its really noticeable to me. My last car was a rotary, so lovely and smooth. You may be right, I'm maybe just not used to being right next to the engine.

I just assumed this can't be normal as surely it would annoy everyone that drives them! Maybe I will get used to it. Thanks again.

 

[Motorhead]

That's the trouble with sound. Once you're aware of it it's almost impossible to "unhear" it..!

The cover obviously is doing its job as an acoustic shield, but once its masking effect is removed the clicking/whiring noise you're hearing is lost in the increased sound level.

Jeff

 

[Buddy]

I listened to the recording twice and it didn't sound at all odd, as Jeff says the cover off would drown any sound coming from around the engine, I once drove mine from the house to the village and back ( about two miles ) on a hot day with the cover off it was very noisy and uncomfortably hot! Opening the window just churned hot air from the engine bay through the cabin, the cover and carpet is very effective.

It is most definitely true that once a sound is heard it can't be unheard easily! And the flat 6 does sound a lot different to anything else!

 

[stoo]

Thanks for all the input, very much appreciated. I'll get a second opinion from another independant then try to forget about it.

It sounds phenomenal once it gets going it's just at low rpm and light acceleration I hear it and only once warmed up.

Everyone so far to be fair has said it sounds fine it's probably just me!