2002 Boxster engine rattling noise.
 

Hi is every one well?

I am a new member, posted in the wrong forum so here goes again:

I am in Sydney and have just bought a 2002 Boxster - why I didn't acquire this wonderful thing earlier I don't know!

Just one day after purchasing the car (for a very good $10K below market price from a very nice old man as as-is private sale, and already have a strong feeling for it, honestly >< so I want to fix rather than return it), I noticed an engine rattling/knocking noise.

I think this is IMPORTANT infos:
1. The noise started quiet and got louder after ~10 minutes as the car warm up.
2. After being tilted to get on a tow truck, the noise disappeared for a good hour.
3. After a quick check it's not exhaust shield nor anything outside. It's 'inside' :(
4. I hope the previous owner serviced the car before selling and may have used wrong type of oil viscosity...
5. Oil level is good.
6. It's winter time so before start the oil temperature is around 15 Celcius.

An engine-out diagnosis only here cost $3K so I have spend $600 with 2 mechanics and still nobody could 100% pins point the problem without engine-out.

As an unfortunate cynical person, I only have 80% trust on the everything in life including the poor Porsche mechanics/dealers :(, and always want to know everything myself :( . I am here seeking you guys' helps with the best of your guess, before I shed $3K for engine-out diagnosis:

1. Would these factors eliminate a timing chain problem?

2. Regardless, just for my knowledge, how much roughly in US/Australia to fix a timing chain problem?

3. Is fixing timing chain an engine out job?

4. Are lifters an engine-out job? How much for fixing lifters please?

5. What else could it be please?

Thank you very much again to everyone and hope you are well.

Kind Regards,

Are you at all capable of doing some wrenching on your own ? If you are then the first thing I would do is drain the oil and pull the oil filter cartridge out and examine it for any particles trapped in it , both plastic and metal . Take pics of what you find . Second thing to do is drop the bottom sump plate , again take pics of any debris found there . Post the pics here and then a real dialog can start about what to do next . This is why most folks recommend a PPI or pre purchase inspection by a reputable shop but that is too late now . Are any service records available ?

Always drive uphill and you'll be fine! :D

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Seriously, rfuerst911c probably gave you the best advice on where to start.

Good luck.

Thanks much guys. Don't worry I appreciate good comedies and it's a very smart and good joke :D (and luckily I'm not that stress about this issue with the car, yet - not until it results in something dramatic :| )

Yes I am handy and love to/can do all that but - in order of importance: 1. Now that I have my lovely daughter I hesitate to get under anything that could collasp. 2. A Porsche specialist shop just said it may not be timing chain if it starts quiet and they reckon they can diagnose a bit on 3rd Sept without engine-out for $600, which almost equal the cost to replace the oil.

I think I will let them do that and report back to you kind guys after 3rd. Do you think so?

Cheers thanks much again guys!

FYI you don't have to drain the oil to check the filter. Put a pan under the filter and unscrew the housing and then pull the filter off. Just a little messy. I just did this, checked in the folds of the filter without destroying it and strained the oil that was left in the filter housing. I found nothing, :) so put it all back together and added a tiny bit of oil to replace what I lost during this operation.

Uphill?
 

Well, I don’t get the uphill symptom, or lack thereof. But I recently lost a water pump. It was definitely a rattle but I thought it was only at low rpm. Turned out, the noise volume of the rattling water pump did not rise as engine noise did. So at 3k rpm I couldn’t hear the rattle any longer and thought it stopped. Anyway, yours sounds like a chain/tensioner thing. Just suggesting a possible alternative diagnosis. An engine stethoscope is a good way to tell where the rattle is coming from.

Hi guys,

Please see my new thread for updates.

Thank you very much guys.

With a stethoscope and without taking the engine, my mechanic heard the noise coming from the timing chain area.

So, could you please tell me if is it inline with the fact that:

1. The noise went away for about 15 minutes after car being tiled front up (to get on a tow truck).
2. The noise is not there when first start the car. And become heard after a few minutes.
3. The ticking is faster than, and not, the 0.5 second ticking.

And, could you please tell me if I go ahead to have engine out to fix the timing chain area:
A. Would it a save in "engine out labour" to also do the IMS?
B. What else to do as well for prevention please?

Thank you very much guys!

if you're taking out the engine, first DIAGNOSE what's wrong and then do the IMS (if it's basically dying because of some other reason, I hope it is not!)