Any ideas ... troubleshooting a clickety clunk - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

clueless1 · 09-09-2010, 12:32 AM

While driving suddenly developed a new onset cyclical click (or is it a clunk? ... somewhere in between, a hard metallic version of a a baseball card in a bicycle wheel) yesterday. Car drives fine, no vibrations. Hard to discern a location, but more mid/rear not front.

Only occurs when in gear. Increases with speed (rpms?). Seems to sound worst between 2000 - 3000 rpm. When the clutch is engaged or the car is put in neutral the sound DISAPPEARS, even while in motion. The sound does not occur at idle or when i rev engine at idle.

The sound was there for an hour at very low speeds (creeping with no accelerator in 1st gear) and at higher roadway speeds. Then it seemed to go away for an hour. I was pleased. Then it returned for 1/2 hours.

Any ideas?

Stroked & Blown · 09-09-2010, 08:59 AM

Does it sound like marbles in an empty coffee can?
If so, don't drive it - have it towed to a Porsche mechanic or dealer.
That is the indication that the IMS is about to go. When the IMS goes, it can cause "catastrophic" engine failure.
Read up on IMS on this forum and at: http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html

eightsandaces · 09-09-2010, 09:35 AM

IMO, the IMS would make the sound in neutral since it would still be spinning, then again it would be worse under a load for shizzle.

jcb986 · 09-09-2010, 10:17 AM

The brake cable is tied back and if the tie breaks, it could come in contact with the wheel. Check the back side and see if it's hitting.

eightsandaces · 09-09-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcb986

The brake cable is tied back and if the tie breaks, it could come in contact with the wheel. Check the back side and see if it's hitting.

While you're there, look for any scoring on the discs where anything could be intermittently hanging up,check the CV joint too.

extanker · 09-09-2010, 10:39 AM

and check the axle shafts