adambos

Hi all,
I have a new noise (kind of ticking sound) that appeared right after I changed my oil/filters, plugs, and valve cover gaskets. I'm not sure if this is an exhaust sound or an engine sound. The ticking gets faster with higher RPMs and then disappears after 4,000 RPMs. This is the first time I've changed the oil since I purchased the car 4,500 miles ago. I used Mobil 1 syn 10w-30. Any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks,
Adam

Edward

Hi Adam,

Are you sure that the sound really goes away at 4K? My guess is that you just can't hear it over the fan and all the other engine noises. The ticking sound you're hearing is your valves. Completely normal if it's just "ticking." If it gets loud, or turns into a bona fide "clacking," then you might have a failed hydraulic valve lifter (failry common). If you've got a mechanic that you trust who's familiar with Porsche noises, or if you know someone else with a 993, give it a listen and you can get a better idea of what sounds normal.

As for the oil, lots here use the recommended 15w/50 or the newer 0W/40, and there's a bunch of opinions on either so I bug with you that, but my point for bringing it up is that I don't think that 30W is sufficient protection for our engines ...though admittedly, I have no idea what your weather is like in Connecticut. Hope this helps

Edward

adambos

Thanks for the advice Edward. I just took a long ride and the ticking noise builds and then becomes quiet when I back off the gas, but the car is still doing about 3-4K RPMs. Also the ticking only gets faster to a point and then remains at similar speed when going up in RPM's. I'm almost thinking that there is a slight exhaust leak now? Maybe I did not thoroughly tighten the heat exchangers to the block, and possibly left a very small gap somewhere?

Also, it's about to become fall in connecticut and the temps will range from 40-70 degrees and winter is around the corner with temps from 10-50 degrees. I actually bought 15w-50 but it thought that would be too thick with the upcoming temperatures in mind. Can anyone else from the northeast or similar temps chime in?

Thanks again,
Adam

Flying Finn

10w-30?

As Ed said, put 0w-40, for the winter and 15w-50 for the summer.

Since this sound came after the oil change and you're using (IMO) too thin oil, it might be the cause.

Frank 993 C4S

I am probably no more than 100 miles south of you and I would recommend the 0-40W for the winter. I used 10-30W for last winter (hardly drove the car) and after researching things on rennlist and other formus decided to leave 15-50W in the car all year round. My car is not a daily driver and in winter it is stored.

adambos

Thanks for your advice guys. I guess it's time for another oil change! LOL

TheOtherEric

Bizarre! The exact same thing happened to me yesterday! I changed my oil, oil filters, driver's side valve cover gasket, and distributor caps/rotors. Though I had a slight ticking sound previously, it became more pronounced afterwards, especially at idle. Like you, I put in Mobil1 10W-30.

TheOtherEric

BTW, anybody know what a failed hydraulic lifter would cost to have fixed, if that's the problem? Just wondering how worried I should be about my car's ticking.

Edward

Eric,

I don't know the shop rate, but if you've done the gasket, you can certainly do the lifters. To my memory, the were about $26 each, and I would recommend you doing all three within the bank. As I said in my first post, some ticking is normal. Best to compare with another's car, or have a pro give it a listen, but I wouldn't be too concerned if all sounded ok before the oil change. Hope this helps

Edward