Identify Weird Engine Noise
04-16-2020 | 11:57 AM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 13
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Identify Weird Engine Noise
Hi Rennlist Friends,
First post here. I own a 1982 '911 SC with 80,000 original miles. After starting up the car the other day, it was making a very bizarre sound that I believe is coming from the engine.
Can someone please help me identify what is going on? Due to the virus, I am unable to go to the mechanic.
Thank you,
Freitog
First post here. I own a 1982 '911 SC with 80,000 original miles. After starting up the car the other day, it was making a very bizarre sound that I believe is coming from the engine.
Can someone please help me identify what is going on? Due to the virus, I am unable to go to the mechanic.
Thank you,
Freitog
04-16-2020 | 04:28 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,712
Likes: 1,855
From: SoCal
that is not a good noise. I couldn't run the car anymore.
That said, the pace of the noise sounds too fast to be valve train at idle. are you able to remove the belt from your AC unit and spin it by hand? Did you check fan and ensure it spins freely? I'd start by removing both belts. Spin alternator, spin compressor by hand.
That said, the pace of the noise sounds too fast to be valve train at idle. are you able to remove the belt from your AC unit and spin it by hand? Did you check fan and ensure it spins freely? I'd start by removing both belts. Spin alternator, spin compressor by hand.
04-21-2020 | 06:42 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 663
Likes: 36
From: Barrington, IL
What spyerx said!
What spyerx said
that is not a good noise. I couldn't run the car anymore.
That said, the pace of the noise sounds too fast to be valve train at idle. are you able to remove the belt from your AC unit and spin it by hand? Did you check fan and ensure it spins freely? I'd start by removing both belts. Spin alternator, spin compressor by hand.
That said, the pace of the noise sounds too fast to be valve train at idle. are you able to remove the belt from your AC unit and spin it by hand? Did you check fan and ensure it spins freely? I'd start by removing both belts. Spin alternator, spin compressor by hand.
04-23-2020 | 12:47 AM
#4
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Joined: Apr 2020
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Hey Spyerx - thanks for the note. Possible to elaborate on the severity of the possible issues you've outlined? Depending on your thoughts on the issue, I'm curious if I can take it to a non specialty shop. Any help would be appreciated.
Dying to get the car up and running while working from home
Dying to get the car up and running while working from home
04-23-2020 | 05:02 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 141
From: Bay Area, CA
It really is not very hard at all to remove the belts, and that's where I'd start. The owner's manual will probably have instructions, and the tool kit should have the special tools you need.
I'd first remove just the AC belt and see if that made it go away. On my '85 that is a simple matter of loosening the mounting bolts and then loosening the tension adjuster bolt. If you want, you can measure that adjuster bolt's location (length) and just reset to that location when reinstalling, if doing a proper adjustment would not be easy.
Then remove the fan belt. Follow the directions in the owner's manual. Use the special tools in the tool kit. Keep track of how many shims are on either side, and put it back like it was before, unless you want to do an adjustment.
As mentioned above, once the belts are off, see if the pulleys move freely as they should.
If you want to do testing before touching it mechanically, you could see if slightly revving the engine makes the sound louder. Am assuming the sound would be synched with engine revs, but confirm that.
Also, turn AC on / off to see if there is any effect.
Agreed on not taking it to Joe's garage.
I'd first remove just the AC belt and see if that made it go away. On my '85 that is a simple matter of loosening the mounting bolts and then loosening the tension adjuster bolt. If you want, you can measure that adjuster bolt's location (length) and just reset to that location when reinstalling, if doing a proper adjustment would not be easy.
Then remove the fan belt. Follow the directions in the owner's manual. Use the special tools in the tool kit. Keep track of how many shims are on either side, and put it back like it was before, unless you want to do an adjustment.
As mentioned above, once the belts are off, see if the pulleys move freely as they should.
If you want to do testing before touching it mechanically, you could see if slightly revving the engine makes the sound louder. Am assuming the sound would be synched with engine revs, but confirm that.
Also, turn AC on / off to see if there is any effect.
Agreed on not taking it to Joe's garage.
