kick7ca

I've been looking at this '89 Carrera Cab with 60,000 miles pretty closely, and drove it for the second time yesterday. While driving it, I noticed a strange sound coming from the engine.
It happens when pulling away at lower revs in 3rd, 4th and 5th, and likely to a lesser extent in 2nd. Best example; cruising in 3rd at 2K rpm I give it half to full throttle and it's very apparent. Sounds like a rough metallic gurgleing, or a bunch of marbles in a can rattling, and then it seems to go away after 3K rpm, or is drownd out by the motor. It's not there while cruising, only when you accelerate from low revs in the higher gears.
I'm interested in what you guys think are the likely causes.

I should mention that this car has seen little mileage or maintenence in the last 6 years. Not even an oil change. Owner hasn't even put 5K miles on it since he bought it. He's very nice, but I don't think very Porsche savy at all.

Thanks,
Joe

KC911

Hmm...could it be that something is "loose"...(something as simple as a muffler strap)? That happened to me once after installing a new muffler, and I had "engine noises" that sound similar to what you describe under hard acceleration (4-6K rpms however). One other thing, and just my opinion, but if you are "cruising at 2K rpms", and then "punch it", you're not driving right ! "Lugging" these cars is detrimental, and will definitely makes sounds like this more pronounced. Keep those rpms above 3k, and your 911 will be much happier. Good luck on finding it!

Keith
'88 CE coupe

KC911

I'd pass...that's NOT good!

kick7ca

Thanks, but I don't think this is a lugging issue.
It's happening under load. 1/3 throttle at 2500 rpm is normal driving, and this is where it is occuring.

J. Brinkley

is this G50 rattle? engine oil noise as it travels up the line? both are hear-able with stock exhaust
this is a 3.2 car? not a 964?

I don't know why I'm posting so much, I think I'm nervous, I have my divorce hearing this morning

g-50cab

Sounds like the g-50 rattle to me - Don't cruise in 3rd at 2000 rpms.

scottb

Could be a sign of a chain tensioner about to fail. This thread has some good information:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...threadid=79502

You should get a pre-purchase inspection done on any car that you're serious about.

Good luck.

kick7ca

I had a PPI done on the car, it never came up. This is something I picked up on when I drove a second time.
Is an 89 3.2 a candidate for g50 rattle?

g-50cab

Yes it is - and especially in the driving conditions you described. The 3.2 carreras thrive at 4000+ rpms. Under 2500 rpms and you will have the power to weight ratio of a yugo.

Amber Gramps

on my '88 with a G50 rebuilt just 10,000 miles ago If I'm not paying attention and just let out the clutch with out getting the RPM,s up I have a rattle that sound like rocks in a muffler. It is the tranny as far as I know. you gotta keep the it spinning. Let's just say it never sees 5th on the street and never drops below 2,000 once it's off idle. The car loves high RPM's to a point. (3,000+)

initial

Sounds like G50 rattle to me. It's perfectly normal. A good test is to bring the car to 30mph or so and then put it in fifth and hit the throttle. That rattling and mechanical noise you'll hear, that's G50 rattle...

Imagine laying down a big wad of cash back in 89 to get a 3.2, taking it for a spin and hearing such a noise! By street car standards, it's unacceptable, but that's were a 911 threads the fine line of street and race.

Amber Gramps

fast forward to the same car line now a 997 at $80,000 upwards to $180,000 and you still have to really push to get the tranny into first gear when cold. You would think if it was a problem, it would have gotten fixed by now. It's what seperates the men from the boys.

rllevin

I would make sure it's not detonation rather than the trans, specially since you don't own it yet.

KC911

[QUOTE=initial;4726187]Sounds like G50 rattle to me. It's perfectly normal.../QUOTE]

While not "unusual", it's certainly not "normal", mine doesn't. Before I removed the cat on my '88, it had the extra bracket that Porsche added to compensate for the "G50 rattle", but even without the bracket (premuffler), mine is quiet. Keep those rpms above 3k, and you and your car will be happier! I was driving into work this morning and I tried "cruising @ 2.5K just for grins" for just a moment....that's not "normal driving" for me , and imo it's just not what these cars were designed for. They are not American iron...keep those revs up!

Keith
'88 CE coupe

KC911

I can't have my post count at "666" that's just not right