Mike Murphy

Mine sounds like a sewing machine, but it's just plain noisy. One noise in particular is often heard on these cars, but it annoys the heck out of me. It sounds like the air pump on a semi-truck: that constant 1/2-speed tick, tick tick, tick, tick....

I used to think I had a bad tappet or rocker arm, but it seems like most air-cooled flat-6s do this. The question is, what is it? It shouldn't be a valve, right, or else more valves would do it, or an adjustment would cure it? I'm about to take it to a mechanic and get right down to it. BTW, the warmer the engine gets, the "lighter" the sound.

Loaded

HOLY CARP man I was thinking this very same thing yesterday! With a Cab and the top down it is even more pronounced!

I was thinking this same thing about my valves then I looked at my receipts and valves had been done less the 2000k mniles ago..

I also notices at full throttle it makes very little noise but part and light throttle its noisey

Drew Theodore

You guys need tops on your cars and you will not hear that sewing machine sound. My car sounds great.

jimq

or get a muffler bypass pipe. I cant hear anything on the 964

Marc Gelefsky

yeah it's loud, Love it!

butzip

My cab has nice 'quiet' valves. Remember, if you can't hear em', they're too tight!!!

Jay H

All my 911's have (or had) quiet valves. You'll hear a little tick tick tick sound, but nothing intrusive at all. I certainly don't mind hearing the valves click just a little bit.

I agree that if you can't hear them, they are too tight.

Daniel Dudley

A tappy engine is a happy engine. That doesn't mean you can't check the valve lash.

autobonrun

When was the last time you had a tune up with the valves adjusted? There will always be some valve noise on these cars, perfectly natural. However, excessive noise may be a sign they need adjustment. Mine always quietens right down after a tuneup. I tune my car every two years like clockwork, regardless of the mileage. It's got me through 212k miles so I'll keep to that schedule.

Mike Murphy

I had the valves done about 4,000 miles/6 months ago. They were just as loud right after the adjustment.

loosecannon

Mine is only loud when my right foot is on the floor. It idles nice and makes no ticking-but I have just rebuilt it and replaced everything.

Loaded

2 years 2935 miles ago done at Zims.

Bretech

you want quiet? Get a Toyoter or something of that nature. These cars better sound like sewing machines or else they're not running right. Shoot I love the sound of a warmed up flat six. Also, since you mentioned that you car gets quieter once warmed, maybe you need thinner oil. I dunno.

WPOZZZ

My valves are quiet and I LOVE that sewing machine sound! With the top down or with the rear window zipped down, she sounds like a glorious symphony to my ears.

Mike Murphy

Correction, I should have said that when cold, the tapping isn't very loud, but it sounds deep. As the engine warms up, the sound pitch changes but it does get noticeably louder.

I love the sound, as long as it's supposed to sound like that. I might as well just take a video of it and post it to see what you guys think.