turambar

Hi all, I'm a long time lurker with a high mileage (85K) '99 996 that has recently developed a pretty noticeable engine tick that actually seems to get a little louder when the engine gets warm, and it doesn't go away. The car runs fine and pulls great. My trusted independent mechanic says no worries, it's just lifter noise which isn't a problem. Just want to get your opinions, should I believe him or am I in for a new engine soon? thnx in advance.

1999Porsche911

Are you sure it is lifters and not a noisey EGR valve? That valve will click continuiously sometimes. It is the valve directly above the alternator.

turambar

it is the EGR, should I be worried? the ticking is constant, not rapid at idle but gets more rapid up and down with acceleration and deceleration. Thanks

1999Porsche911

That is normal opertation for the EGR valve. Not to worry. So much for trusting your mechanic. Glad he didn't suggest tearing apart the engine to install new lifters....only to have the noise continue after he was done.

turambar

Now I can spend my dough on more mods

RexracerX

Nice work 1999Porsche911. I know a lot about my MY 99 but you've got answers to stuff that would have left me scratchin' my head.

Carrera Mike

Porsche tech says it could be a debri in the hydraulic lifters that partialy blocking full flow of the hyd fluid to properly lift the valves.

Jeffrey HO

and changed the oil hoping it would help, which it didn't. If it is the valve lifters, I wonder if a higher oil viscosity might work.

Marv

I know on the 993 that this is not uncommon and due to a partially collapsed lifter. If it is a lifter and it is always noisy, then replacement is the only fix. Everything else is just a band-aid that falls off.

Does anyone else know if the 996 has had a history of failing lifters?

Marv

turambar

Is this a serious issue? Do you guys think I need to take care of it asap, or can I wait a bit?

thanks

1999Porsche911

I thought you said that you confirmed the noise was the EGR valve and not the lifters. You should not have noisey lifters at 85,000 miles.

leedav

Is the EGR system located where you can get at it with the engine running? If it is, you can use a long socket extension as a stethoscope. Compare the noise there to the noise at the valve cover (or use a real stethoscope). You should be able to localize the noise.

1999Porsche911

Just open the trunk and unplug the valve. It takes less time than checking your oil level.

turambar

1999porsche911, would you be able to tell me where the connector is located at in the bay? Thanks again for all your assistance.

1999Porsche911

I am in Florida right now so I do not have a picture, but the valve is directly above the alternator and is connected to the throttlebody with a hose. The other end connects to a hose going along the leftside of the engine toward the front. There is only one electrical connection to this valve. Simply press the wire clip on the connector and remove. You will get a CEL because the valve is disconnected, but it will reset in a few days after you reconnect it.

When you hear the ticking sound from your engine, stop, open the trunk, disconnect the valve connector (with engine running). If the ticking stops, you have found the noise maker.