First post here! After 4 months of research I've finally narrowed down my first 911 purchase and wanted to get some feedback from the group before moving forward with the PPI.

I'm looking at a 2010 997.2 30k miles, PDK, Sport Chrono, Black on Sand, Carrera classic wheels.

Carfax is clean, no accidents, decent service records and great communication with the seller (dealer) thus far. Was considering the S but going to use this as a daily driver in SoCAL (traffic) so ended on the C2. In my minds best case I would have wanted a Dark Navy Metallic, Sport Chrono, PASM, Full Sand Leather C4 but that seems like a pipe dream for low miles and under $50k...

In any case, the seller uploaded a walk around video (he noted the wear on the seat bolster upfront) and when he's showing the rear passenger side you can definitely hear the old "ticking" noise coming through. I've read up about the WB08 HPFP issues / campaign and I'm waiting to hear if this VIN was part of it (production 5/09). I believe that this may be the issue but am concerned about some of things i've read regarding Bore Scoring or oil leak issues also.

Video here:
He mentioned the red light in the video was based on the low gas level. The seller also sent me over a recording (attached mp3) of the car warmed up and the sound certainly less pronounced, but also wanted to check with the group. He pulled some scans and no fault codes are showing currently.

It think its unlikely that the PPI will be able to actually check the cylinders but I expect that if its a timing belt issue they should be able to check, without the prior service records is there anyway to tell if the HPFP was replaced? would that service, since it was attached to a campaign show if the dealer is able to pull the vin?

All thing being held equal is it worth moving forward knowing that the "ticking" was present at some point even if it's not there now? I have a hard time believing its just the DFI sound...

 

2009 C2S 161K miles

This 9A1 engine is kinda noisy and can be a bit disconcerting... but that does not sound good to me at all. Not at all. The right side sound is more "normal" but that slower, rhythmic clacking on the left.... I dunno about this car.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

Sounds like an air cooled 911 in need of a valve adjustment....

 

A properly administered invasive bore scope procedure on this one will more than likely net bad news. I base this on the tone, and rhythm of the noise in the video.

 

I really appreciate the feedback here team. It's really heartbreaking because I was so excited at finally getting to pull the trigger on something. This forum has been amazing during the search!

 

Trust me, this heartbreak isn't anything like what guys experience who have to call me AFTER they just bought a car.
Some other guy will buy this thinking that it has a "noisy lifter" and he'll then learn the hard way. It'll probably be someone who ends up on this forum at a later date..

 

Let's say a 992.2 4S that's for sale isn't making this noise.

56,000 miles, automatic transmission, looks to be in good order.

Does it make sense to do a boreoscope inspection? Are there other indicators that would show up in a less intrusive way? Assume a recent oil and filter change, so any evidence there may be limited.

What does a better inspection involve, and how much does it cost?

 

Easy pass. You’re lucky the video caught the noise. Seller could have easily tried to hide with Lucas thickener etc.

at that price range the 997.2 universe is your oyster. You may or may not be able to solve the ticking, but assuming you can’t, it will likely bug you forever and may have a harder time selling it because of **** ****** like me

 

When my HPFP was on the way out, I MIGHT have heard something like that.... but it's hard to recall. There are two different noises in your recording. There is the light, fast, consistent ticking sound - very light, and even on both sides. Then there is the rhythmic tapping sound on the left side. The latter is what's not normal. The left side IS where the HPFP is.... so that is something to consider. But with a noise like this, I would have it bore scoped for sure just to be safe. Bore scoring is very rare on a .2 though. Is the seller in a cold-weather state?

 

Welcome to the forum and your search for what is probably the greatest car in the world.
You are extremely lucky (yes, really), that you have a true professional now involved in your project. Everyone reread reply #4 above, again and again and again...... Having Jake with you to "look" at a car is the best you can hope for. The rest of us are well meaning and trying to help, but -reread #4 again. The 997.2 is pretty close to as bulletproof as you can practically get, but there will always be exceptions. This could surely be one of them. As noted by Jake, this car absolutely MUST have a full and correctly done engine inspection to determine the problem at hand. It could be OK as to scoring but odds are not encouraging based on the recorded audio. It looks like the car is in Louisiana based on the paper plate and the carfax is available. Therefore you are a long distance from there being here in LA area. (The other LA). I looked up the car (thanks internet) and it appears to be a southern car (warm weather) with no recorded issues. However the latest servicing was done at an Infiniti dealer who would not be the ideal experts on these cars. If the car was here in LA, you could easily take the car for a super PPI at a number of places. Reread #4.
As to your question about recall on HPFP, it seems that there was a quiet service bulletin to check these at time of service visits. My 2011 997.2 had the pump replaced in 2016 by the dealer when the car was in for programming a new multi-functional steering wheel. The owner, whom I bought the car from , did not know they did it as he experienced no problems with the car. I happened to see it in the written service ticket, " HPFP replaced N/C". How is that for quiet. Your other point about timing belt- These cars are all chain drive valve timing, no belt. Also noisy lifters are rare today , unlike many years ago when all cars could suffer from gummed up lifters. Keep up your search and reread #4 above, especially since Jake is riding along with us!

 

This is only my personal opinion but anyone looking to buy a 997.1 or .2 and is very serious about the car they want to buy should opt for a reputable borescope. Even if the engine is quiet. If its the one you really really want, spend a few extra $$ for the scope.
My 06 C2 "slightly" ticks only occasionally on cold start up. If Immediately turn it off and restart its quiet as a mouse. It burns no oil, tailpipes are among the cleanest I've seen yet for 56000 and never tracked. I have no idea what it could be but its rare and so I have'nt worried about it.

 

Still on the hunt and now about to do a PPI on this 2009 997.2 C2 Base, 39k miles. No sport mode or premium sound but the seller walked me through everything over facetime and has a lot of service records. Figure if the deal works out I can add the Sport Mode in.

The seller actually did an engine look over video for me, I wanted to put it to the same test as the last time. I feel like I've become so paranoid now about everything. Take a look team and let me know what you think.

Video here:

 

The one difference is this is outside, not in an enclosed garage with reverb and refraction of sound. Second video is also ticking away, just saying.

 

Pretty sure that's the normal 997.2 tickety-tick (sounds just like mine), not the rhythmic thunkety-thunk of a scored engine like the last one may have had. I could swear I hear noisy bearing whir when he's right over the engine. Anyways, trying to diagnose these cars via amateur youtube postings is pretty silly, but all in good fun.

 

Thanks guys, the seller has been awesome and i'm sure he'd do another video inside. He bought the car last year and did a PPI right afterwards, he sent me the slip, about $1200 worth of work (attached). He's only driven it 1300mi since then. Also he replaced the tires (mich P4's), had the oil changed and changed out all the pads and rotors.

All that being said I'm still thinking of doing another PPI. Would it make sense to send it to the same place that did first one or go for a 2nd opinion? i'm thinking the 2nd opinion....