Ticking noise from engine

[Lanark]

Hi All
I was about to trade my 03 3.2S Boxster at my local Porsche Indy Garage for something newer. All was going well until the salesman took a look at my car and heard a light ticking noise.

So some info

When it’s cold it’s inaudible
When it warms up you can hear it but it’s not loud, it’s quiet.
When you put your head down at the right side of the car you can’t hear it, but you can at the left side of the car(looking forwards)
I have had the car 5 years and 20,000 miles and it has always made that noise
No difference when you put the clutch in.

Thoughts please

He suggested the beginning of IMS failure. I am wondering if it was an excuse to get out the deal as he offered me £500 more than I was hoping for and £1000 more than I was expecting

[paulofto]

Why is it that every noise or white smoke or rough idle or empty windshield cleaner or burnt light bulb or worn tire is diagnosed as an impending IMS explosion?

That ticking noise could be anything from a sticking valve or lifter to an accessory belt issue to a loose exhaust manifold bolt or whatever. Sounds to me like this 'salesman' is in negotiating mode. A more thorough check than putting your ear to the side of the car has to be done. What kind of shop is this that they can't do a better diagnoses on a car that is being traded in?

[Anker]

Why don't you figure out where it is coming from by taking the engine cover off and using a mechanics stethoscope or just a long screw driver on the two heads. If its coming from one of the heads its most probably a lifter (assuming that it isn't piston slap or bearing knocking - I assume you can hear the difference). If it isn't from the heads I would take the front cover off and check the belt pulleys after removing the serpentine belt.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Lanark

He suggested the beginning of IMS failure.

Tell the moron that IMS bearing do not make noise, even when dying.

[Badboybox]

Sounds like a ticking lifter to me.

[Lanark]

I will get a metal bar out and put my ear to it and see what I can trace. The car runs perfectly, goes like stink and the noise has never worried me, got worse or been commented upon by my Porsche Indy specialist mechanic.

I can’t make my mind up about the car salesman. He works for a well known and respected Indy Porsche dealer. I texted him back to ask what his revised offer would be given the possible issue. No answer.

Probably just didn’t want another Boxster .

[mikefocke]

First tactic in negotiating: Cause the seller to have doubt as to the worth of his item relative to his asking price or the norm. Cause the seller to accept a low offer out of fear or doubt.

Remember this was a salesperson speaking.

[kk2002s]

Tell the salesman that the ticking he hears are your shoes walking away from this deal.

If he made you an offer and you appear to be happy with the numbers, why are you not pushing that deal?

[Anker]

I don't understand why you don't do a private sale. If its as good as you say it should be easy to sell once winter is over. Best time to sell is spring!

[Gelbster]

The most valuable diagnostic tool is the trained ear of a competent, honest M96 expert. It would take him less than 10 minutes with an electronic stethoscope. Everything else is conjecture.
An intermediate 'do no harm' step would be to replace the oil and filter.

[Lanark]

Originally Posted by Anker

I don't understand why you don't do a private sale. If its as good as you say it should be easy to sell once winter is over. Best time to sell is spring!

That’s the plan, but would rather not sell on a dodgy motor. Seems like it’s ok to sell in good conscience

[Lanark]

Originally Posted by kk2002s

Tell the salesman that the ticking he hears are your shoes walking away from this deal.

If he made you an offer and you appear to be happy with the numbers, why are you not pushing that deal?

He walked away from the deal saying he had to refund customers with similar issue on other Boxsters. I think he is just making up an excuse. They specialise in Porsche. Every 986,996 has this as a potential problem, though statistically it’s over stated. The percentages of cars affected by this is very small for those with the double row bearing and even for those with the single row, it’s smaller than the poll here suggests. That’s based upon the data presented at the class action legal case.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by Lanark

He walked away from the deal saying he had to refund customers with similar issue on other Boxsters. I think he is just making up an excuse. They specialise in Porsche. Every 986,996 has this as a potential problem, though statistically it’s over stated. The percentages of cars affected by this is very small for those with the double row bearing and even for those with the single row, it’s smaller than the poll here suggests. That’s based upon the data presented at the class action legal case.

That particular used car lot doesn't want your Boxster, get over it. Take it around to the local dealers and an Indy repair shop and see what they say. Sounds to me like the car salesman was being overly cautious.

Or keep it. Sounds like a dandy car.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by Lanark

That’s the plan, but would rather not sell on a dodgy motor. Seems like it’s ok to sell in good conscience

It doesn't sound that dodgy to me. Mechanical noise goes with running motors. I've bought a lot dodgy-er cars.

[paulofto]

It's things like this that drive down the values of perfectly good Boxsters. Like JFP said, an IMS bearing does not make a sound whether healthy, failing or whatever. It certainly doesn't 'tick'.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing and most people have just enough information about the IMS to really not understand anything at all. They only know that Boxsters are ticking time bombs that can leave you stranded at anytime. This is another overblown car story like the Corvair about to spin out at any moment, or the Pinto that explodes if you touch it, or the Audi that will accelerate uncontrollably if you hammer the brake pedal.

The 'ticking' sound can and should be diagnosed. Just get it looked at for peace of mind. Consider it a PSI, a Pre-Sales Inspection.

[Lanark]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

That particular used car lot doesn't want your Boxster, get over it. Take it around to the local dealers and an Indy repair shop and see what they say. Sounds to me like the car salesman was being overly cautious.

Or keep it. Sounds like a dandy car.

That particular used car lot is my local Porsche Indy dealer/Garage. It’s why I posted the question because his comment surprised me.

The car is fine but it has to go. I need something to tow a trailer with.