Noise from 3.2 oil tank

[tnchris]

Over the last few days I have started to notice a strange noise from the back right of my 84 3.2. I crawled under there today to listen while the car was running and the noise is definatly coming from the oil tank in that corner. I can actually put my hand to it and feel something popping or bouncing around in there. It sounds like something knocking around in there that, for the most part, hits with the idle of the car. When you rev the engine, the noise goes away, or at least I can't hear it. This is my first 911, so I'm very new to them, but am fairly good with working on cars in general. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

[bourgeois911]

This might sound unlikely, but I had the same thing a few years back. I would swear it was coming from the oil tank but I think it was really the FRAM oil filter I was using. Installed a Mahle and never had a recurrance. I have no idea if this is even possible but I know what "fixed" the noise.

[Bill Douglas]

Is it the dip stick?

My oil tank makes a bit of noise with just the oil going back into it.

[Joe Bob]

Oil tanks gurgle...it's normal....

[rusnak]

The noise is the oil shooting into the oil tank. Some noise is normal, and varies with temperature. You'll hear some oil circulating through the front oil cooler and through the brass oil lines in the summer months.

+1 on using the "Mahle" oil filter. I noticed that the factory Porsche oil filter is little better than a Fram, so those should be avoided too.

[Joe Bob]

Fram SUCKs....

[bourgeois911]

Originally Posted by mikez

Oil tanks gurgle...it's normal....

I would not describe the noise mine was making as a "gurgle". I was totally paranoid I had a chain tensioner going to he!!. As I mentioned, a filter change was all I did and it's probably been 2 years since I've heard this sound. The sound pad has been long gone thanks to the previous owner and I could clearly hear a metallic sound which seemed to be coming from the tank from the driver's seat. I tend to be a hypochondriac with this sort of thing, and if it were still happening, I would at least imagine I heard it.

And +1 on the FRAM filter.

[nut11]

A dip stick from a previous owner?

87 blk coupe

[Wayne 962]

If it's really bothering you that much, you can empty the oil, disconnect the oil lines and pull the tank and shake it to see if there is anything in there. Shouldn't take too terribly long to do that if you're really worried about it...

-Wayne

[jonbot]

Could it be related to the oil level sensor? Possibly tapping against the side or something?

[The Turk]

Does your oil level gauge work ?
If not, maybe the sending unit (which is a mechanical float) has come apart and is banging around at the bottom of the tank.

[tnchris]

I changed the oil in it about 500 miles ago and used a Porsche oil filter. I'm not overly worried about it, it's just an annoying noise that I'm not familiar with. And yes, the sending unit works fine. It's bad enough someone riding with me asks what the noise is when we are in it. It really has me puzzled cause it didn't do it before I changed the oil, but the level is fine and everything seems to be ok???

Thanks for the replies. I have a lot to learn about this car.

[arerrac]

Your sure it's not the dip stick. I has a noise when the oil was low and I found one in my tank. Use a bent coat hanger to fish it out.
-W

[tnchris]

I'm assuming its not the dipstick. The one is in it that was in it when I bought it a few months ago. I probably should just pull the tank when I get a chance just for peace of mind.

[Zeke]

Or fish around carefully with a clean wire. I don't recommend coat hangers because many of them are coated with varnish. No need to knock some of that off in your system.

Maybe that's not an issue. I don't know when the oil enters the filter, before the tank or after. (Man, do I feel stupid) I do think there is a by-pass for higher pressures and that would let crud into the motor, AFAIK.

[rusnak]

I think the Porsche filter explains a lot.

If I were you, I'd buy a Mahle, and take the Porshe filter out. It will spill a little oil, but not too much. The Porsche filter resembles a Fram, and the Mahle has more holes for oil circulation and a much thicker base plate. My guess is something came loose in the Porsche filter. Take a very long screwdriver or a piece of metal rod, and place it on the filter. Put the other end on your ear. You can isolate the source of noise by testing other areas, such as the oil tank or oil sender if the car is raised on jackstands.

Good luck.

P.S. the new Porsche filters are junk. Not at all like the old ones, which were either Kneckt or Mahle.

[tnchris]

I guess I'll try the new filter first. Hopefully that will quite it down. Thanks for the help.