Rattle when clutch is out, no rattle when clutch is pushed in

[heymanwatchthis]

Sounds like you are most concerned about the IMS - I seriously doubt this is a symptom of IMS.

This topic is interesting for me because I went through the same thing in March - bought my 986S in January and listened for every little sound, paranoid about IMS failure. Sometimes I would hear a new sound and go straight to 'IT MUST BE THE IMS -OH NO!!!' and realize I just had the passenger window down etc etc.

One day I pulled into to garage and let the car idle in neutral when I heard the rattle - and I thought that was the big one. Rattle was not loud, just noticeable in the garage.

Called the independent who had done all the work. He sounded slightly amused (so many of us freak out about the IMS) and had me push clutch in and out with motor running to see how it affected sound. It behaved just like you describe. He said it is perfectly normal and maybe the clutch needed servicing, but his advice was to drive it and not worry about it.

After that I decided to go ahead and get the IMS replaced so I could not worry about it and just enjoy the car. I had IMS and RMS replaced, new clutch and oil changed for $2,500. Now I dont worry about any sounds from the engine and had already planned for this expense as part of buying the car. Purchase prices are down low enough to go ahead and factor in IMS cost. Also I plan to keep the car as a 3rd car for fun so the investment will pay off over time.

You may want to consider doing the same thing - bite the bullet for the IMS and enjoy the car.

Hope this helps.

Gary

[PorscheBound]

Originally Posted by heymanwatchthis

Sounds like you are most concerned about the IMS - I seriously doubt this is a symptom of IMS.

This topic is interesting for me because I went through the same thing in March - bought my 986S in January and listened for every little sound, paranoid about IMS failure. Sometimes I would hear a new sound and go straight to 'IT MUST BE THE IMS -OH NO!!!' and realize I just had the passenger window down etc etc.

One day I pulled into to garage and let the car idle in neutral when I heard the rattle - and I thought that was the big one. Rattle was not loud, just noticeable in the garage.

Called the independent who had done all the work. He sounded slightly amused (so many of us freak out about the IMS) and had me push clutch in and out with motor running to see how it affected sound. It behaved just like you describe. He said it is perfectly normal and maybe the clutch needed servicing, but his advice was to drive it and not worry about it.

After that I decided to go ahead and get the IMS replaced so I could not worry about it and just enjoy the car. I had IMS and RMS replaced, new clutch and oil changed for $2,500. Now I dont worry about any sounds from the engine and had already planned for this expense as part of buying the car. Purchase prices are down low enough to go ahead and factor in IMS cost. Also I plan to keep the car as a 3rd car for fun so the investment will pay off over time.

You may want to consider doing the same thing - bite the bullet for the IMS and enjoy the car.

Hope this helps.

Gary

This helps a lot. I just bought the car last night and inspected and listened to the car thorughly before buying. The second I get home and pull into the drive way this rattle occurs. Already budgeted for the IMS and plan to have it done in the next 2 weeks. Just wanted to reach out to the forum and make sure this wasnt a costly sounding rattle or something to be very concerned with.

[southernstar]

Just make sure they replace the throw-out bearing when installing the new clutch.

Brad

[woodsman]

have the mechanic listen before he tears it apart and tell him to make sure it's not there after he assembles it- re: JFP's comment. Probably a bearing that's just starting to go ( only when hot) and that's why the car was sold. That's one good thing about getting an IMS bearing replaced- YOU GET A WHOLE BUNCH 'O PARTS PUT IN AT ONCE! GOLLY! Good luck with your car!

[Daniel R]

Alternator or alternator pulley by any chance?

I have the same symptom. I had been thinking it was the clutch or flywheel, it sounded like loose bolts floating around. I finally got a new clutch and flywheel installed about 6 weeks ago, throwout bearing replaced too of course, but the sound is still there.

Last week on a hunch, I checked the idle voltage with a multimeter. It was fluctuating in the low to mid 13's and the fluctuations seemed to coincide with the rattle. Above 1,500 rpm's or so the rattle goes away and the voltage stays dead flat.

Is this enough evidence to buy a new alternator? Also, the voltage reading at a 3,000 rpm's was 13.9 and low 13's at idle. Is this normal or a little on the low side? I have an under-drive pulley installed. Below is a link to an alternator I have short-listed. Thoughts??

New Porsche 911 Boxster s H6 Alternator 120A 97 04 M T | eBay

[stephen wilson]

Is your idle speed fluctuating, causing the Voltage changes?