Continued clanging from engine, Maybe chain rails?

Kemo · 06-07-2002, 03:01 PM

I have a clanging noise that i thought were the valves. I adjusted the valves and then I thought it was the alternator. So, I started the engine without the belts. The clanging was still there. I used a stick to listen to certain areas, i was still unable to isolate the problem. I did notice more noise in the front than the back. Im wondering what noise an engine makes when the chain rails are falling apart? Has anyone had issues with the chains and what type of noises did you hear?

Sooner or later, Ill figure out this noise that is getting louder...

Shakenbake · 06-07-2002, 03:04 PM

The chain tensioner failure will sound like chains being dragged out of a metal trashcan. It wil probably sound more prevalent at lower RPMs. Did you try the stick method to the cam chain covers and determine if it is left or right side?

I gather that you don't have the updated tensioners?

Kemo · 06-07-2002, 03:08 PM

shakenbake,
If i had to pick a side, I would say the right side. Hard to tell. But yes, the sound virtually dissappears at about 2000 rpm. I do not have the tensioner upgrade.

Shakenbake · 06-07-2002, 03:16 PM

kemo, sounds like you have a tensioner beginning to fail. I had this problem and drove the car for about a week before it freaked me out so bad that I thought I was going to really do some serious damage to my engine. The upgrade was fairly easy to perform. There are numerous threads in the archives to walk you through and Wayne's book (101 Projects for your Porsche) is a great resource.

(Shameless plug for Wayne)

P.S. I wouldn't drive it until I got that fixed, don't tempt catastrophe'

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

I wouldn't drive the car or start the engine until you are positive it is not the cam timing chain.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 06-07-2002, 03:22 PM

Kemo,

Sounds like pending failure. I would definately get a new set of tensioners. I would also check that all the headstuds are intact. Best of luck, this isn't so tough a job,

David

Early_S_Man · 06-07-2002, 03:22 PM

Kemo,

I would strongly suggest that you not drive or start the engine until you eliminate the chain tensioners as a possible problem! To do that ... the muffler has to come off. Then you need to pull both chain case covers.

If a tensioner has collapsed ... the noise you hear is the infamous 'chain slap' ... and it means that there is a real possibility for the chain jumping a tooth and top-end damage like bent valves! Here is a recent thread regarding that kind of damage:

Costly engine timing mistake.....

Kemo · 06-08-2002, 05:10 AM

Alrighty then, ill be in the garage this morning, removing the muffler, hot air ducts, and the chain case covers...
Next, ill need Wayne's super, handy, dandy book. Looks like ill be eating peanut butter for the next month. This is an upgrade that needs to be done anyway.

Thanks to all for the comments.

pbs911 - I have some parts for you that you can use to retrofit your air ducting to your heat exchangers...