911SC Valve Noise

[ralphnct]

My 911SC runs great but it has developed some valve clicking noise over the past few months. Our local Porsche guru mechanic says 'nothing to worry about' but since I've had no noticeable valve noise in the past, I'm still a bit concerned. The link below is a YouTube audio file of it. Let me know if you hear anything to be concerned about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BEiLA1Iips

Thanks,
Ralph

[Otter74]

You need to change your permissions -the video is private.

[ralphnct]

Thanks. I'm a newbie on uploading to YouTube. It should work now.

Ralph

[Otter74]

To my ear it sounds like maybe some valves have clearances on the high side, but doesn't sound like anything to worry about. Loose is better than tight, anyway.

I know there are better ears than mine on this board.

[proporsche]

well..you should make a video with the rear declid open and go side to side.What was the last time you had a service done to your engine?
Is the sound there on cold or warm engine
If cold it could be an exhaust leak by the heads or by muffler.If the sounds is there not cold only warm loose valve adjustment,or noise when cold and gets worst still valve adjustment
If the sounds is there when cold and no exhaust leak you could have broken valve spring.....
so.. give us a little more info and closer video

Ivan

[Funracer]

So check/set the valves. Not hard plenty of help here and on YT. Or get your mech to do it. Should not be too expensive. Then you will know for sure. Does sound a bit noisy to me but I’m no pro.

If you do adjust the valves, post an “after” video for comparison.

Beautiful color.

Good luck

[ralphnct]

Responding to the requests from Proporsche, the YouTube link below provides left and right side video in the engine bay, first after a cold start and then after the engine is hot. I have an EFI kit installed so the engine bay is much less cluttered than stock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tASKyReuIEY

I had the car in the hands of a local, very experienced, Porsche mechanic two months ago to fix some oil seepage. The mechanic did not remove the valve covers for any of that work. That is when I got the 'nothing to worry about' feedback from the mechanic on the valve noise. The valves were last adjusted about 25K miles ago after an engine rebuild but that was 10+ years ago ... the SC only gets about 2K miles on it per year. No discernible valve noise from that time until 4-5 months ago this year.

Thanks for your help,
Ralph

[proporsche]

Ralph..there is your answer..25K is way too much..valve adjustment should be done most of the time in 10K...
That mechanic is most likely def;-)
It sounds like a tractor..All you have to do is either get your mechanic to adjust the valve or even better find some other one.The best for you will be---learn to do it yourself..
here is video of my engine-carrera but you can hear the difference;-)

Ivan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Out_PKGkYYY

[ralphnct]

OK, need to get valves adjusted but ... nothing dangerous going on in the meantime until they get adjusted, right?

Thanks,
Ralph

[kltarga72]

Agree with proporsche, a valve job is due for sure.

[pmax]

Ivan,
Would you happen to have a video of the engine when running hot ?

[proporsche]

Originally Posted by pmax

Ivan,
Would you happen to have a video of the engine when running hot ?

Ok no problem..i will make you one;-) in my next drive...
Ivan

[proporsche]

Pmax..here you have it just came home from Germany about 80 miles kinda hard driving;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUMbXSvZUNI

[pmax]

Originally Posted by proporsche

Pmax..here you have it just came home from Germany about 80 miles kinda hard driving;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUMbXSvZUNI

Much obliged sir !

That's a quiet valvetrain.
That's how my 87, a few thousand miles since the last adjustment, sounds like ... when cold.

[proporsche]

Originally Posted by pmax

Much obliged sir !

That's a quiet valvetrain.
That's how my 87, a few thousand miles since the last adjustment, sounds like ... when cold.

Glad you like it ..well it is time to do something about it --so yours sounds like this too,or??
I do have a little wrist pin knock inside (no1) but for now i live with it..

Ivan
again, i am always amazed with my 911 how it performed.. after a drive....i do not do racing but i drive it hard...and that smile on my face says it all--sorry no pictures of that;-)))

[pmax]

Originally Posted by proporsche

Glad you like it ..well it is time to do something about it --so yours sounds like this too,or??

I mean the valve train as quiet when cold as the vid you just posted.

Just some ticking when it gets nice and hot, not as loud as Ralph's though.

I do have a little wrist pin knock inside (no1) but for now i live with it..

Ivan
again, i am always amazed with my 911 how it performed.. after a drive....i do not do racing but i drive it hard...and that smile on my face says it all--sorry no pictures of that;-)))

Yes, I know that feeling, the drives typically go on and on much longer than planned.