87 carrera sounds

[getluky]

Hey guys, i've got a couple questions about sounds that i've noticed.

First off, there's a dripping sound coming out of the driver side of the engine compartment when I turn off my 1987 Carrera. It's at the speed of about 2-3 drips per second, but I can't see anything clearly under the car. I don't remember this always happening but i'm wondering if it's cause for concern. Is the dripping noise a normal thing to hear?

Secondly, there's a fairly light, fast clicking noise coming from the engine (not sure which part, any ideas on how to test?) when it runs or idles. I've read up and heard that the motronic fuel injection system on the carreras makes a clicking noise, and that's probably it, but i'm just not sure since i'm not that familiar with the Pcars yet.

Thanks!

Gordon

[wholberg]

Interesting...I also have a 87 Carrera Targa that I have had for just one month, and it also has a ticking sound at idle. I have not had time to look for it, but the car runs fine. I had a Porsche shop look over the car very carefully and they did not mention it.

[Por_sha911]

My 87 doesn't have either of those noises. Could the ticking be a valve needing adjusting? Dripping? Wow that's a tough one. Get a stethoscope (or use the hose method) and isolate the exact area of the noise and go from there.

[Steve87-911]

Mine doesn't tick or make dripping sounds.

But it does haul a$$!

[scottb]

Is the ticking the sound of the fuel injectors?

[Jgordon]

Could the dripping just be oil dripping back into the tank? Mine does that, and if you're not used to it it might sound strange. The ticking when running could be anything, might even be a headstud? I'm just guessing, there are many here that know more than I do.

[MOMO3.2]

Hmm...that is interesting Steve87-911, my 1987 Carrera Targa hauls ass too...

Perhaps we should start "The Ultimate My 87 Carrera Targa Hauls Ass" thread?

Mike

[jorian]

My 87' hauls ass and it ticks too. I think it is the injectors. It is more evident when I'm parked in a small space or next to a wall. Considering the length of the oil lines and 13 litres of the stuff circulating around I think a few drips sounds normal.

[getluky]

Hmm...

Hauls ass... check!

So, I think if I ever get a chance tonight or later this week, i'll videotape the idling engine and dripping noise and also take a closer look to see if I can tell what's up.

Maybe if you guys watch it and confirm that it sounds normal, I can rest a little easier.

Does the fear about terrible unknown things happening to your engine ever go away? heh.

[Steve87-911]

MOMO3.2: "Perhaps we should start "The Ultimate My 87 Carrera Targa Hauls Ass" thread?"

Sounds great, but then there will soon be 30+ other threads saying the same thing about their year's cars. And then the RSR boys will tell us we're all nuts.

getluky: "So, I think if I ever get a chance tonight or later this week, i'll videotape the idling engine and dripping noise and also take a closer look to see if I can tell what's up.

I'll look forward to checking that out.

getluky: "Does the fear about terrible unknown things happening to your engine ever go away? heh. "

No, not for me at least. I freak out if I hear a rumble, then slap myself when I find out it's just some loud truck next to me.

Anyway, I assume your dripping sound is not actually the expansion/contraction ticking you hear when you shut it off right after it's barely warmed up, right?
Porsches and their cousin aircooleds do make much more noise than watercoolers. Lots of top end noises especially if your valves need adjustment, like Por_sha911 said. But after a while you will be able to discern the comforting/normal sounds from the sounds that are not quite right.
I really like hearing all that racket (the normal racket).

[paulgtr]

got an 87 motor in my 75 s. makes a lot of noise, and definitely hauls A$$. LOL

[jpahemi]

84's are faster. ;~0

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by jpahemi
84's are faster. ;~0

See? See what I mean?
Good one jpahemi.

But 87s haul the most ass and I have proof:

sorry to hijack the thread getluky.

[wente]

my 87 hauls ass too! must be a pretty common thing... mine ticks when it idles, but I'm pretty sure that my ticking is just my idle air control valve. cuz it even ticks when the key is on and the engine isn't started... never noticed a dripping sound... just the tinging of hot exhaust cooling down after hauling my ass.

[PeteBrown]

I have all the same noises on my '87.

1) the ticks after running hard are the heat exchangers contracting as they cool down.

2) the ticking that you hear at idel is part valve noise (solid rockers) and part injectors.

My '87 has 70,000 miles, is driven 2-3,000 miles per year including roughly 6 DEs and burns about 1 quart per 1,500 miles.

[getluky]

Okay, so I worked an ungodly amount of hours last week and didn't get a chance to make a video of the sounds til today.

Here is is:
http://www.getluky.net/downloads/1987-911-EngineSounds.mov
(23 MB, Quicktime)

Let me know if you think it's normal or if I should get it checked out.

Fingers crossed,

Gordon

(edited to add file size/type)

[Beethoven]

I'm pretty sure the 'dripping' noise is the heat exchangers contracting after engine shut-off. Normal.
Hard to judge the engine noise. When was your last valve adjustment?

[jpahemi]

Heat exchangers contracting, definately.
J.P.

[getluky]

Okay, great! So the 'dripping sound' is really the heat exchangers. That's good.

Had the valves adjusted only 800 mi. ago. Do you think my 'newbie' driving could have been that rough to need another valve adjustment?

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by getluky
Had the valves adjusted only 800 mi. ago. Do you think my 'newbie' driving could have been that rough to need another valve adjustment?

No. Never heard of that. You should be able to go over 10k miles on a valve adjust. Unless of course by driving "rough" you mean over-revving a cold motor, but then adjustment would be the least of your worries...but you wouldn't do that, right?