986 Boxster rattling noise w/out serpentine belt
 

My 2000 Boxster S has developed a rattling/clanking noise that I cannot seem to figure out. It is coming from the front of the engine area, but I have checked all the pulleys, compressor, pump, and alternator and all seem fine! When you run the engine with out the drive belt, the noise still persists as usual. Is the thermostat going bad?

Link to the youtube short of the noise.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jg0MiXshxNM

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Nothing? Was really hoping someone had some ideas on what it could be...

Always difficult to diagnose from a video.

But i would say at start up it sounds like a timing chain hitting against the engine housing. And the later noise also remind me of a chain with too much slack hitting something. Did you test the timing of the engine?

The other thing, i could imagine, is that this is caused by ignition that is has a faulty insulation. But this noise would be much more rhythmic.

I have not checked timing. That requires durametric software right? Car does not have any check engine lights.

As you have a 2000 car, you can check it with Durametric, with Piwis and also by checking the timing manually.

Facelift engines (from late 2002 up, the cars with the glass rear windows from factory) do have vane cell adjusters. That's more difficult.

I saw a used Durametric on Rennlist fairly cheap a couple of days ago, these tools will pay for themselves fairly quick.. :-)

PS: https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1389578