Rattle from engine, loss of coolant, burning smell? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Stan_D · 10-17-2009, 01:51 PM

Would appreciate some ideas on what this might be before I go to the mechanic next week:

1. Rattling noise coming from engine area noticeable when driving. No warning lights.
2. Got home: rattling noise louder on the right side of engine.
3. Burning smell from right side vent.
4. Next day: checked oil & coolant level. Coolant was low: put in 1.2 litres.
5. Coolant started to leak soon after refill, on the right side, under the engine.

Should I be worried or really really worried?

Thanks.

jhandy · 10-17-2009, 02:49 PM

check to see where it is leaking from. first reaction is the water pump berings or impeller.

a super bad clutch will burn and rattle. but nothing to do with the coolent.

bad Ims rattles, but wont smell burned, unless dripping oil from the rms. nothing to do with coolent.

thats all i got.....

Jake Raby · 10-17-2009, 02:49 PM

Water pump failure... Repair it before you crack a head or cylinder.

Stan_D · 10-18-2009, 01:07 PM

Thanks - hopefully its nothing more serious. Will post up what the mechanic diagnoses.

subsea · 10-18-2009, 05:00 PM

my water pump went 4 months ago.; exact symptoms.

Stan_D · 11-10-2009, 02:06 PM

Yes it was the water pump and cheap it aint!

vman · 07-18-2011, 12:18 PM

Ditto here. I had a rattling sound (started 2 days ago, barely noticeable but by next day on start up, it sounded horrible). I didn't lose coolant but my other symptoms were similar to the orginal poster.

I have 92k miles, cost to replace pump, tensioners, rollers and belts =$1460. I did not have my 90k servive done, the mechanic said the service would have disclosed the pending water pump problem, FWIW.

blue2000s · 07-18-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vman

Ditto here. I had a rattling sound (started 2 days ago, barely noticeable but by next day on start up, it sounded horrible). I didn't lose coolant but my other symptoms were similar to the orginal poster.

I have 92k miles, cost to replace pump, tensioners, rollers and belts =$1460. I did not have my 90k servive done, the mechanic said the service would have disclosed the pending water pump problem, FWIW.

Yikes. You know that job is less than $300 if you do it yourself and replace the bearings instead of the entire roller and tensioner.