the timmer

So, just now, I got under my car and as per TomH's request and checked out the inspection hole. He said that the black cap may or may not be there and lo and behold, it wasn't. So, I peered in and saw what I thought was a round rubber piece flanked on one side by a gear. I took some pictures with my digital camera and they are located here.......

"http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tibowers/porsche944/flexdisc/flexdisc.html"

Now, when I started up the car and got it to 4000RPM for about 3 or so seconds and let it go back to idle, I was able to get the constant rattle back. I got back under the car and looked for the sound and peered into the inspection hole and saw the rubber disc rotating but it appeared that the sound was coming from inside there.

Anyone with ideas? Flex Disc? The rubber that comprises of the disc looks to be in good shape (the pictures don't do it that much justice) with no cracks or chunks missing but I am 90% sure that the rattle is coming from around that area.

-timmer

<a href="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tibowers/porsche944/flexdisc/flexdisc.html" target="_blank">FlexDisc</a>

Chris_924s

Having just replaced mine.. (See My "Help.. i dont want to blow my engine" post)A loud clanking starts and little chunks of rubber come out of the inspection hole when it starts to deteriorate..I saw in the factory manual that it should be replaced every 100,000 miles.. and sure enough mine went at 117K miles.. rubber rots and the exposure to the elements isnt good- My inspection cover was missing also.. Expect a bill for ~600-700$ for the part (Flex plate only.. no seals if necessary)and Kiss your mechanic in the morning.. bring him bagels..and hot coffee.. There was no way I could do it myself. Required aengine hoist and the ability to put it in the air.. I was quoted 1700$ PLUS PARTS from Porsche <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" /> All told under 2 grand for the repair, but another 10 years or 100K miles of life after its done.. Good Luck <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

the timmer

Thks, Chris. What I don't get is that my
car has only 44K on it and my visual inspection
through the hole yielded a nice looking strong
rubber piece.

Some say that if my flex disc goes out, the car
rattles like it's an earthquake, but right now
it's just a light annoying rattle at idle and
when accelerating from a stop. No more. No less.

Until I get a hydralic lifter in my garage (first I need a garage after I buy a home), I might have to trust the mechanic on such issues.

Anyone else with ideas?

thks again,
-timmer

the timmer

For those of you who didn't catch this post over the weekend, here's the skinny. At acceleration
from stop up until 1500RPM, I've been getting
a rattling sound that some people think it's a flex disc going out. I was able to get under
my car and look through the inspection hole (see link above for pics) and saw what I think was the flex disc and no apparent cracking/pieces coming off/damage.

I was also able to get the car up to 4000RPM while on the blocks and let it idle back down so that the rattling would be constant, got back underneath and determined that the noise is coming from the general vicinity. Check out the pics above and let me know what I should do.

thks,
-timmer