Weird engine noise in a 3.2

[Tim L]

While at the track my car made a noise like I blew my transmission, like loose gear noise, that’s the best description I can come up with. After further investigation here are the symptoms:

Idling, the motor sounds normal
When it’s revved past 2500 rpm the noise comes back
It sounds like a loose spinning gear.
I have eliminated the alternator.
I think the oil pressure is a little low and fluctuation.

My guesses are:
1) Oil pump
2) Something with the intermediate shaft
3) Flywheel came loose
4) Main bearing

Would anyone like to guess???

The engine is a 3.2 with 130,000 miles. I rebuilt it 10,000 mi ago because of a failed rod bearing. 95% of the miles after the rebuild are track miles.

Thanks,

Tim

[goat]

Is the noise only present in certain gears, or all gears? Or are you in neutral and hearing these noises.

[Tim L]

The noise is when the rpms are over 2000 in any gear or neutral clutch in or out. I drained the oil and there is nothing on the drain plug so that eliminates main bearing I think.


Tim

[goat]

This could be a weird one, but I had a CAT fail on a jeep and it sounded like a rattling ball bearings. Sounded normal at idle.
See if the sound is coming from that area.

[braddb_82SC]

Symptoms sound similar to a sound I have been trying to track down. The difference is, my sounds disappear as soon as the clutch is depressed or the car is placed in neutral. Happens on acceleration and deceleration. I've eliminated the CV joints as the culprit by replacing them. I am suspecting the bearings in the differential. Not exactly a DIY repair job.
I have no CAT by the way.
I'll be anxious to hear if your problem is solved. It might shed some light on the source of my issue.

-Brad

[KTL]

I'm quite sure I have the same noise you describe. Comes on around 2000 rpm and fades away after 3000-3200 rpm. Sounds like spinning gear chatter, as you described. Sound exists whether car is in gear or not, exists with clutch engaged or not, exists when moving or not. So I ruled out the transmission

I can also confirm it's not the alt., as I just replaced mine and it actually seems to have added a whirring noise. Chatter noise remains.

It's not the chain tensioners either. That's not to say it couldn't be the idler arms & sprockets, or anything else associated with the timing chain system.

I would agree with goat's cat. conv. suggestion as a possibility, because my buddy Mark's Jeep Grand Cherokee did the same thing. My 911 has no cat., so the problem must be something else.

[Tim L]

I have no cat so that’s out. I'm going to cut the filter and see if anything turns up. I would hate to tear the motor apart and not find anything.

Thanks,

Tim

[jgporsche]

My G50 doesn’t make any noticeable noise. But, it’s repetition is to be nosier than the 915 or 901. Have the upgrades been done on the transmission? LSD?

[masraum]

Well, my first thought was the chains or something to do with them, but that's just a guess.

[Tim L]

Update: I finally had some time last night and dropped the motor. Found the problem immediately!! Snapped crank!! The flywheel end was loose so I assume it’s cracked in the #6 crank journal and the bearing is holding the thing together.

Tim

[beepbeep]

Jeez....snapped crank? How could that happned? Overheated bearing?

Please post pictures...

[RickM]

Wow! I'm surprised the thing didn't grenade on you. Tim, perhaps it's time for some upgrades.

Kevin, Do you have a sinking feeling right about now?

[Tim L]

Does anyone know where I can get a used 3.2 crankshaft?

Thanks

Tim

[RickM]

Tim,
The 911 classified section lists this member as having a crank for sale:

2.2 -3.2 engine & 915 trans parts - auction

If no longer available then place a WTB (Wanted To Buy) ad in the same section. You'll most likely get offers in short notice.

[88911coupe]

Couldn't you just fix it with JB Weld?

[KTL]

Originally posted by RickM

Kevin, Do you have a sinking feeling right about now?

Nah. I just keep driving it. My buddy Mark's car (86 Carrera) seems to make the same sound. Maybe it's nothing.........

If it breaks, I park it for awhile 'til I can afford to fix it. I'm more concerned about the stiff clutch and weird noises my Laser has been making lately................

JB Weld. Yeah. That's a good one. That stuff has become the duct tape of adhesives nowadays. In all seriousness, that stuff never works for me. Just tried to fix a broken headlight piece on my Laser with that stuff. Didn't hold worth a darn.

[Tim L]

Will I need to regrind the journals after the JB weld or can I just drive it?

Tim

[Tim L]

I finally had time to tear the motor down last night. I don’t think JB weld is going to work.

[Rot 911]

Damn! I have never seen a crank break there. Any idea what caused it? I can't help but think it is somehow related to a possible stress fracture starting at the oil feed hole.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by Tim L
I finally had time to tear the motor down last night. I don’t think JB weld is going to work.

Now that is a scary picture - damn - anything happen before that? Missed shift - back off a cliff? rearended by a Escalade?