Clackety Valves?

I apologize for the ignorant question, but I'm still getting used to Porsche ownership, and there's some things that the manuals just can't describe!

I just got my car back from the shop to adjust the timing and mixture, and while they had it, I had them do the valves. How loud should the valves be with the engine warm? I just pulled the car out of the garage, and noticed a distinctive clackety, clack sound, so I opened the lid, and on both sides of the engine, there's a significant amount of ticking/clicking going on.

Is this normal (I've had some issues, so I really don't know what a normal running 3.0L engine is supposed to sound like), or are the valves too loose?

Thanks!

Michael



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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

It may be OK as you hear it. I adjusted my own valves and had JohnW give them a listen. He said he could hear a few clacks, but generally they sounded OK. So I guess I'd have to say that a bit of mechanical noise is OK.

By the way, did they check your valve guide wear by moving the valves about in the engine? I'd ask them if they didn't offer this information. For the price paid for adjustment, I'd say that ought to come with the job.

Jw

It could also be worn valve rocker arms. I had this problem on a 73.5 2.7.

Remember it would be better to have them too loose than too tight (burnt valves).

Good luck.

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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera

they do have a clearance, so if you listen closely you can hear ever so slight ticking. if they're really noisy from 10 feet back, they may not be adjusted properly, or there is wear in the valve train. the most usual wear is the guides. ticking due to loose guides tends to come and go. one minute you hear it, next you don't.

I wish I could hear my valves over my Dansk dual outlet muffler heh heh.


Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com
PCA -- Rocky Mtn. Region