engine noise
 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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