noise when reving the engine from iddle and oil type to use

[328ride]

Hi all,

I just bought a 2000 2.7L 986 with 78000 miles.
I noticed a metalic valve clicking sound (similar to the sound of a typical VW beetle) when reving the engine from iddle to maybe 2000rpm. The sound seems to stop when I rev it higher. Otherwise the engine sounds "normal" under load and acceleration

The dealer (not Porsche) just did the oil change and I don't recall hearing this sound when I first tried the car. Keep in mind that I noticed this sound when the windows were down (they were up during the first drive since it was rainning). Therefore, I'm not sure if it has to do with th oil grade they filled the car with (still need to confirm with the mechanic) or if the sound was always present

My first guess is that this sound as to do with valves or parts related to them. Maybe incorrect fuel grade..

Is this unsual or normal?

I'm about to drive the car back home (4000km) and will appreciate any helpfull info before taking any chances.

And,
last newbie question: what is the proper engine oil grade? Synthetic 0w40?
Any other acceptable grade for a temporary use

Depending on what's to be used, is it mandatory to redo the oil change if they didn't use synthetic?

thanks in advance for the precious info.

[328ride]

I guess I should have read previous posts more attentively. There's a recent post asking the same stuff...with the awswers too....

[Adam]

Give us a sound clip of the noise you are hearing.

[328ride]

Adam,
thanks for the reply. I'm only picking up the car in a day or two. I'll see what I can do. My main challenge is that I don't have anything with me to upload the sound.
Hopefully this sound was related to the car not running for a day. The car was also sitting at the dealership for about a month (dry and hot Arizona conditions).

328ride, I think you should confirm, with the dealership that did the oil change, that they used 0W40 oil (or 5W40) and that it was Mobil 1 full synthetic (or a comprable high quality synthetic oil).

What does your receipt say?

[blinkwatt]

I thought hearing a little valve chatter was common on 986 & 996 engines?

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

I thought hearing a little valve chatter was common on 986 & 996 engines?

Yup. You hear it more with the windows down in your garage.

[328ride]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

328ride, I think you should confirm, with the dealership that did the oil change, that they used 0W40 oil (or 5W40) and that it was Mobil 1 full synthetic (or a comprable high quality synthetic oil).

What does your receipt say?

I spoke with the person at the dealer and they filled it up with 15W-40.

I then pointed out the 0W-40 but he refered to the owner's manual.

On page 120, the engine oil viscosity range recommendation is the following:

For mineral oil based oils:

Generally higher ambient temp. than 50 degrees F. (10c):
15W-40, 20W-50, 20W-40

or, lower ambient temp. than 50 degrees:
15W-40, 10W-40, 10W-30

and, lower than 14F (-10c):
10W-30 or 5W-30


As for Synthetic:

+50F (10c): 10W-40, 15W-40, 15W-50
-50F: 10W-40, 10W-30, 5W-30

There is also a note about using only a viscosity grade of SAE 10W-40 or higher...

Does 0W-40 apply for the S not the 2.7L ?
I'm confused...

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to take delivery of the car. The horn had to be fixed (four spokes rubber grommet issue). The mechanic activated the airbag circuit system by mistake (did not disconnect the battery first). They are bringing the car to the Porsche dealer in the morning to re-set the computer..

Thanks all for the precious infos.

Originally Posted by 328ride

I spoke with the person at the dealer and they filled it up with 15W-40.

I then pointed out the 0W-40 but he refered to the owner's manual.

On page 120, the engine oil viscosity range recommendation is the following:

For mineral oil based oils:

Generally higher ambient temp. than 50 degrees F. (10c):
15W-40, 20W-50, 20W-40

or, lower ambient temp. than 50 degrees:
15W-40, 10W-40, 10W-30

and, lower than 14F (-10c):
10W-30 or 5W-30


As for Synthetic:

+50F (10c): 10W-40, 15W-40, 15W-50
-50F: 10W-40, 10W-30, 5W-30

There is also a note about using only a viscosity grade of SAE 10W-40 or higher...

Does 0W-40 apply for the S not the 2.7L ?
I'm confused...

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to take delivery of the car. The horn had to be fixed (four spokes rubber grommet issue). The mechanic activated the airbag circuit system by mistake (did not disconnect the battery first). They are bringing the car to the Porsche dealer in the morning to re-set the computer..

Thanks all for the precious infos.

OK, that makes some sense about the enhanced noise now. The Owner's Manual is not current. Porsche has update the oil recommendations. You should be using 0W40 now or maybe 5W40.

That is why you might be hearing more valve/lifter/tappet noise...because your oil is so thick (15W) at start-up.

You should really consider going to more a Porsche recommended viscosity. You might even get better fuel mileage with the 0W40.

It will get worse as the weather gets colder up north.

[328ride]

Bmussatti,

Noted.
I will make sure to do the switch as soon as I'm back home. I might try to drive it with the current grade for the trip back. The car will be driven for about 3 long 16-hr stretch. Therefore the engine won't go through many cold start.

Thanks for the quick reply