Whining noise - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

discodavieuk · 03-03-2015, 11:35 AM

Hi folks,
I've replaced my drive belt as I thought it was the source of the whining noise I've been getting. Alas, it's still there!
Does anyone else have the same problem?
Ive uploaded a video of the problem. I've also got a tappety noise coming from the engine which you can hear too.
On the bright side my new euro up back box sounds nice.
Clouds and silver linings eh?
Thanks in advance for any help
David
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8s0J0HKmWSg

woodsman · 03-03-2015, 11:51 AM

The whining is probably a bad tensioner pulley. You can check them by running the engine briefly without the belt on. If it's gone then reattach the belt and use a small section of pipe and place it against the bolt heads while the engine's running. The bad one will be obvious.

discodavieuk · 03-03-2015, 11:54 AM

Thanks woodsman, I was hoping a squirt of wd40 would do the trick

woodsman · 03-03-2015, 12:02 PM

On a dry belt it might but not for a bad bearing. My car whined for the first 2 years. I thought it may be a characteristic of the 'flat 6' . Finally it got much worse and it was a tensioner. Really nice once fixed! I then added sound insulation underneath the heavy pad and she was improved yet again.

M4SGK1986 · 03-03-2015, 12:37 PM

I had the same thing i could hear a loud whining. So i pulled the inspection cover off and listened closely to the tension pullies. It turned out that both the bearings in the tension pullies were on the way out. I have indicated them with red arrows on the picture. Also my waterpump was on the way out also so i had a new water pump but on as well. When the water pump was replaced i could see the wear on the impeller where it has been rubbing on the block, so i caught it just in time.

discodavieuk · 03-03-2015, 01:05 PM

Thanks for you help guys and the very helpful photo.
I'll pull the cover and see what I can find out. Hoping it's just needing some lube but knowing my luck it's more sinister than that

tomonomics · 03-03-2015, 02:04 PM

Woodsman...did you add Dynamat or something similar behind the seats and to the engine cover? I searched a bit and didn't seem to find anything here on sound deadening. I found a link on P-9, but they were more concerned with exhaust drone.

Dynamat installed, w/ photos

I find that doing a lot of winter driving (i.e. top up) makes me (well, really my S.O.) notice the slight higher-pitched whine of the engine, so I was thinking of adding a layer of Dynamat Xtreme and some Dynaliner on top.

woodsman · 03-03-2015, 03:29 PM

It was something similar you cut it to shape and then peel the back off and stick it on. I got it in an autobody supply shop. I covered the whole front face- it made a noticeable improvement. I really wonder if you've got a bearing going if you're hearing a whine ( not the one from the SO)...:ah:

tomonomics · 03-03-2015, 03:51 PM

I'm pretty sure it's the standard engine noise. It just seems louder when the top is up, the radio is lowered, and she wants me to listen to her talk. Snow tires don't help, either. I'll invest in $100 bucks worth of soundproofing, and check the belts/tensioners while I'm back there.

Life is simpler with the top down and a vacant passenger seat.

discodavieuk · 03-05-2015, 09:30 AM

Just pulled the Inspection cover off the car and everything is fine, lubed all the pulleys with WD40 just in case. No squeaking.

But, when I stand outside the car the squeak is there! I pressed in the clutch and, low and behold, the noise goes away!

So it's coming from the clutch... Oh no! Does this mean new clutch time?

Smallblock454 · 03-05-2015, 09:59 AM

If the noise goes away when you press the clutch, it's probably the gearbox input shaft that makes the noise.

If the noise goes away if you release the clutch it's probably the release bearing of the transmission.

How much miles does the car have?

When have you changed transmission oil and checked transmission oil level the last time?

And please don't use WD40 to lube pulleys.

discodavieuk · 03-05-2015, 10:09 AM

Smallbox I think you have hit the nail on the head!
I noticed a leak from my gearbox a month ago and my mechanic said its the top up opening that wasn't secure enough.
I wonder if I have lost a fair amount of trans oil and that's what the noise is?
It's a MY04 Boxster s with 68k on the clock. It's a manual

Noted your comments about wd40... I will leave well alone now.
Thanks for all your help folks

discodavieuk · 03-05-2015, 10:11 AM

Oh, one more thing, is topping up/checking level of gearbox oil a DIY job? I'm very much a novice but keen to learn

Smallblock454 · 03-05-2015, 11:00 AM

Hi,

if you want to check the transmission oil level you can do it if you'll have an allen wrench that is long enough. Besides the upper opening isn't easy to open and close without removing parts. I tried that and ruined the screw. So i recommend to remove the shield below the transmission. To do that you have first to unbolt the stabilizer. Please check the workshop manual for detailed torque specs and how to's.

If you check the transmission oil level the engine and transmission has to be fully warmed up and the car has to be levelled. So the best is to drive a while and the put it on a lifter. You can't check the oil level if the transmission is cold, because than you'll get the wrong level. If the transmission is cold, the only way is to change the complete transmission oil and fill in the exact amount.

Do it yourself: if you have the tools and experience in working on cars think it is no problem to do it yourself.

Please use a approved Porsche transmission oil. Wrong oil can cause big problems. Take a look: 2nd gear, hard to shift after tranny oil change

I would first check oil level. If it's OK and the noise is still there you'll have to remove the transmission and check what's the cause for the noise.

Regards from germany
Markus

woodsman · 03-05-2015, 11:11 AM

I don't know of any 'input oil cover'. I wonder what the mechanic was talking about- was he assuming that there was one or??? Whatever it is it's critical to check/add oil NOW. Hopefully the bearings and syncros haven't been compromised.

discodavieuk · 03-05-2015, 11:42 AM

Thank you again for all your help and the very useful photos.
I'm going to phone my mechanic and get the fluid checked on Saturday morning.
I'm praying I've not done damage :-(

Mark_T · 03-05-2015, 01:10 PM

I had a loud whining noise from the passenger side and for what it cost me to get rid of it I could have bought a brand new Boxster.

flaps10 · 03-05-2015, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_T

I had a loud whining noise from the passenger side and for what it cost me to get rid of it I could have bought a brand new Boxster.

I take it that would be the ex?

Gelbster · 03-06-2015, 08:31 AM

Smallblock is correct in all his advice.
1. Do not try to get 'clever' by selecting a different trans oil.There is lots on "Search" describing the woes of those who tried and failed.
2. 5 spd and 6 spd are slightly different in filler plug location/tool.
3. Locate the source of the leak ! Possibly the bushing for the gear selector where it enters the case.
4. Be aware that the 6 spd is more problematic than the 5 spd in terms of bearing problems and 2nd gear wear.
Let us know what happens?

discodavieuk · 03-06-2015, 11:15 AM

Hi everyone,
Been to see my local mechanic, turns out it's my clutch bearing that's whining.
I've told him to replace the trans oil tomorrow anyway while a clutch is being ordered.
I trust the advice you guys have given me so the trans oil drain and replace is essential.
Thank you to everyone who chipped in, this forum is ace!