engine noise

porwanabe · 05-19-2005, 10:13 AM

86 944 120k
care sat for about 1.5 years.

q. car starts with no problem. Oil has been changed at least 3 times in the past month. I have a slight lifter noise ( no bid deal at the moment) What I do have a very low whinning noise ( like bearings worn). Does not "appear" to come from the block but rather the a/c condensor or the alternator "area". My question is this. Can the alternator function but have worn areas ( where the belt attaches) that would make a loud noise. The same for the A/c.

Q. Can I disconnect the alternator/a/c cond belt to test if this is the issue without causing damage to the electrical system.

Tishabet · 05-19-2005, 10:41 AM

1) yes, they can function if, for instance, the AC bearings are going bad.
2) I see no reason you couldn't, you'll just need the battery to get spark.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Replace the timing and balance belts, tensioners and idlers -- NOW!

May have to replace the water pump.

If the lifters are going to "pump up" it will take a few oil changes and possibly some lifter cleaner.

porwanabe · 04:50 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the belts. Was next project. Never done them before but there is always a first time.
I think I have figured out where most of the noise is coming from. Believe the release bearing in clutch and to a lesser degree the ac condensor.
1) In idle car is noisy - as compared to my other 944. I push the clutch in and most of if not all the noise goes away. Pull it out I have the noise.
2) I checked the a/c condensor and found the area in which the belt flips around sounds dry and worn thus make a loud whinning noise. ( metal to metal - bearing sound)

I am a newby but feel that I can tackle most things on a car ( except major rebuilds ), but I am taking the car to a Porsche only shop for a review before I continue with car. Dropping the trans is a pretty big job and before I do it I want to make sure that is the issue. Car has sat for 1.5 years. Who knows ??? Glad I did not pay much for the car. guess there was a good reason. Not much into it at the moment.

thanks for the advice socal

porwanabe · 05-19-2005, 02:48 PM

a/c condensor bearings. Can one either repack or replace the bearings without having to "gulp" buy a new condensor.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

I thought I had bad A/C bearings. Was the belt idlers.

porwanabe · 05-19-2005, 08:33 PM

I am taking car to P/only mechanic on friday. Decided before I proceed any further I need a guided tour of the car. There is but so much I can ask on the forum correctly. I have very little in the car so spending $$ for someone who has 20 years experience is well worth it. At that point he can provide direction and I can fix the issues I feel comfortable with and have him do the others.
I will post the results.
I suspect I will replace the belts, rollers, and have to clean and perform some maintenance on the lifters. I also suspect I will get some experience removing the tranny as well. Funny part is I feel more comfortable removing the tranny that changing the belts yet thetranny seems more involved. We will have to wait and see.
Thanks for the help SoCal and others.

porwanabe · 05-20-2005, 04:19 PM

Update :

1) Found a crack in the header pipe today that I did not see before (replacing). can not believe I missed that!
2) Turns out most of the whining noise was coming from the alternator(replacing)
3) The belts and rollers "appear" to be in good shape according to P/mechanic "but" will replace anyway to be on the safe side.

Thanks