Is whine in engine noise normal?
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Is whine in engine noise normal?
Hey guys,
Been living with my 2006 997 C2S for a few weeks now and I can't get over the relatively high-pitched engine whine that increases with the revs. It's really stopping me from enjoying the drive.
I'm asking the dealer to look at the water pump and pulleys thanks to some research here, but I'm wondering if you guys can tell me if these engines and known to have a whine associated or if I really have an issue that can be fixed.
Been living with my 2006 997 C2S for a few weeks now and I can't get over the relatively high-pitched engine whine that increases with the revs. It's really stopping me from enjoying the drive.
I'm asking the dealer to look at the water pump and pulleys thanks to some research here, but I'm wondering if you guys can tell me if these engines and known to have a whine associated or if I really have an issue that can be fixed.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,031
Likes: 268
From: Bentonville, AR
Hey guys,
Been living with my 2006 997 C2S for a few weeks now and I can't get over the relatively high-pitched engine whine that increases with the revs. It's really stopping me from enjoying the drive.
I'm asking the dealer to look at the water pump and pulleys thanks to some research here, but I'm wondering if you guys can tell me if these engines and known to have a whine associated or if I really have an issue that can be fixed.
Been living with my 2006 997 C2S for a few weeks now and I can't get over the relatively high-pitched engine whine that increases with the revs. It's really stopping me from enjoying the drive.
I'm asking the dealer to look at the water pump and pulleys thanks to some research here, but I'm wondering if you guys can tell me if these engines and known to have a whine associated or if I really have an issue that can be fixed.
Best advice is to be sure you can reproduce the noise and demo it to the tech and let him tell you what is going on.
I don't think he'll say this but if he says "they all do that" be sure to ask him to show you. Have him reproduce the noise using a different car.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 25
From: Dominican Republic
I have an '06 C2S, and had another a few years ago. I haven't noticed any excessive whine on either.
FWIW on my current '06 the serpentine belt and pulley were in need of replacement when I acquired the car 2 months ago due to age (not mileage). It ran fine and I don't recall a whine, but I had them replaced as a preventative measure and the tech confirmed they were due for a change when the originals were removed.
FWIW on my current '06 the serpentine belt and pulley were in need of replacement when I acquired the car 2 months ago due to age (not mileage). It ran fine and I don't recall a whine, but I had them replaced as a preventative measure and the tech confirmed they were due for a change when the originals were removed.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,957
Likes: 454
What were you driving before? I had a 09 CTS-V, that was quiet as a tomb.....too quiet. My C4S really sings at 5K rpm and up, in comparing the two if I did not know better.....I would have thought something was wrong....but the belt, pulley, pump, and idler were all replaced. Its just a sports car with fat narrow profile tires low to the ground and the engine right behind your head. You are going to hear more "noise".....
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Clemson, SC
I have 2 2005 997 C2S cars and neither has a "whine" that I'm aware of. Whines can be from a system that's part of the serpentine belt, like a power steering pump, bad bearing on a pulley, or possibly something improperly grounded that's creating interference back through the stereo.
- Any aftermarket electronics in the car?
- Does the whine go away when you turn off the PCM?
- Does it sound different when the A/C compressor is running or not (HVAC in ECO mode vs Auto Mode)?
- Is it a higher pitched whine or a lower pitched whine - wheel bearing can make noise as they're going bad, but that's more of a deeper rumble than a whine?
- Can you hear it in a video? If so, maybe post one and we can try to pin it down.
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Thanks for the help guys. I'll get it into the shop this week as it's under warranty. One thing I forgot to mention is that when the car is moving and I take it out of gear, the whine goes down. But even at idle, it has a lower pitched whine.
I've had lots of sporty cars and never heard anything like this.
My answers to your questions @Petza914
Any aftermarket electronics in the car?.
-None. I'm pretty sure I've turned off the stereo but I will check again. It certainly sounds like it's coming from the engine.
Does the whine go away when you turn off the PCM?
-I'll try this.
Does it sound different when the A/C compressor is running or not (HVAC in ECO mode vs Auto Mode)?
-No change, tried this.
Is it a higher pitched whine or a lower pitched whine - wheel bearing can make noise as they're going bad, but that's more of a deeper rumble than a whine?
-More of a higher pitch, that gets higher with revs.
Can you hear it in a video? If so, maybe post one and we can try to pin it down.
-I'll try to get a video this week.
I've had lots of sporty cars and never heard anything like this.
My answers to your questions @Petza914
Any aftermarket electronics in the car?.
-None. I'm pretty sure I've turned off the stereo but I will check again. It certainly sounds like it's coming from the engine.
Does the whine go away when you turn off the PCM?
-I'll try this.
Does it sound different when the A/C compressor is running or not (HVAC in ECO mode vs Auto Mode)?
-No change, tried this.
Is it a higher pitched whine or a lower pitched whine - wheel bearing can make noise as they're going bad, but that's more of a deeper rumble than a whine?
-More of a higher pitch, that gets higher with revs.
Can you hear it in a video? If so, maybe post one and we can try to pin it down.
-I'll try to get a video this week.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 472
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
Maybe it is not a C2S and is really a Turbo and the whine that you are hearing is the turbos spooling up...
Sorry but I thought I would throw some humor into the situation...on a serious note I hope you get things figured out but it seems like the thread has covered all the possibilities???
Sorry but I thought I would throw some humor into the situation...on a serious note I hope you get things figured out but it seems like the thread has covered all the possibilities???
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 51
From: Portland OR
When I first bought the car, I noticed a hum more than a whine. After a couple of weeks, I no longer notice it. I'm sure it's still there but I got used to it. I remember looking it up and a lot of people describe the same noise and say it is normal. It's more of a "hum" than a "whine" however and I used to only hear it at idle.
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Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
The head tech went for a ride with me. He says all 997s sound like this. It's just the way the pulley systems are designed. He suggested sport cats might help make the sound more pleasant.
I'll try to get a video done this week so you guys can hear. In the meantime, is anyone here located in Vancouver that would be up for going for a ride to give a listen?
I'll try to get a video done this week so you guys can hear. In the meantime, is anyone here located in Vancouver that would be up for going for a ride to give a listen?
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 358
From: Central Massachusetts
There is an inherent whine that was designed into these engines with purpose. There is a signature sound of a 911 air cooled engine and when Porsche moved to water cooling they were purposeful in retaining as much of the original air cooled sound as possible. They don't sound identical, but they did a good job in keeping much of that unique 911 sound.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 391
Likes: 23
From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bryan,
Have had my 2006 C2S for only about 4 months now, and over 4000 miles, and I can't say I have heard the "whine" you are describing, though my hearing is pretty much toast from 30 years of listening to jet engines... I especially don't hear many things in the higher frequencies..
I'll be interested to find out your resolution to this. My car has only 26,000 miles and I would bet I have the original serpentine belt..
Rob
Have had my 2006 C2S for only about 4 months now, and over 4000 miles, and I can't say I have heard the "whine" you are describing, though my hearing is pretty much toast from 30 years of listening to jet engines... I especially don't hear many things in the higher frequencies..
I'll be interested to find out your resolution to this. My car has only 26,000 miles and I would bet I have the original serpentine belt..
Rob
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 50
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From: Minneapolis, MN
My car also makes somewhat of a 'humming' noise coming from the rear. I only notice it while the car is stationary and the radio/AC are off (otherwise there's too much other noise and it's covered up). I've had multiple Porsche guys listen and they all tell me it's perfectly normal.