Loud ticking noise? injector?

[chrisgreber]

i have this loud ticking noise coming from the engine. it goes up in down with engine rpm and at about 3,000rpm it seems to go away. also it only does it under load, i dont hear it at idle.
around the first injector it looks like the injector has been leaking, what looks like to be dryed up fuel stains.
should i clean and reseal them? or any other suggestions

[Arizona_928]

It sounds expensive......
jk

Do you know if the noise is coming from the top end, or bottom. sounds like a lifter to me. run some sea foam. The injectors can be sent out to be rebuilt. easiest option.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

It sounds expensive......
jk

Do you know if the noise is coming from the top end, or bottom. sounds like a lifter to me. run some sea foam. The injectors can be sent out to be rebuilt. easiest option.

+1^

Expensive begins when the noise is from the bottom of your '85/1 944. It could be the rod bearings. Porsche suggests the rod bearings be changed at 125-140K.

Send the injectors to WitchHunter Performance - Injector Cleaning & Flow Testing Services or similiar if you do not want to do a DIY.

Recent injector post/link:
WTB "Bosch Universal Crush Filter" - Rennlist Discussion Forums

GL
John

[944 Ecology]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Porsche suggests the rod bearings be changed at 125-140K.

Hmmm, John, I have never heard that. Could you provide book, chapter and verse???

[kmakovac]

try to see the bolts on exaust manifold,i have this problem too....
i hear a noise from cilinder 4,in my opinion a very expensive noise!!!
i was lucky,retorque exaust bolts end the engine runs perfect.

You heard the noise from top,when you put out the injector waire the noise dissapere so is comfusing to understand that it comes from the manifold.

i hope you have the same problem,is easy and inexpensive to fix!

[John_AZ]

"Hmmm, John, I have never heard that. Could you provide book, chapter and verse??? , George"


The information is from a variety of sources.

A couple of interpretations of TSBs, 944online, and voodoo.

I'll explain, George may be testing me.

It is a fact that Porsche wants the rod bearings changed if you have an antifreeze and oil mix in the crankcase. (last paragraph tech page 153).
The oil cooler seals will fail on a great percentage of 944s.

http://www.944online.com/pdf/oilcoolertech.pdf

Much of my information on rod bearings has come from Ian (owner) at 944online. Ian has the 29year + service and retail experience I do not have.

example:
"The rods bearings are easy to replace and its cheap insurance"
Preventative maintenance.

944 Online Forum - The Porsche 944 Forum For The 944 Enthusiast.

Finally, the many members who have mentioned that the #2 rod bearing was bad when they changed the rod bearings.

I interpret the Official Porsche Maintenace schedule thusly,

If a Porsche owner cannot change his oil per schedule, use an oil filter specifically designed with a proper oil antidrain valve and use an oil engineered for an engine designed in the '70s, (and carefully monitor the OPRV cooler housing seals),

"Rod bearings should be changed at 125-140K ."

I have used poetic license in my interpretation. If I dug deeper, I could probably find the official/unofficial TSB somewhere.

John

[Panzer909]

Sticky lifter?

[944 Ecology]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

"Rod bearings should be changed at 125-140K ."

I have used poetic license in my interpretation. If I dug deeper, I could probably find the official/unofficial TSB somewhere.

John

Not a problem, just that I never anything official (printed or electronically available from PCNA or PAG) that stated the mileage... Remenber, this is the company that ignored 944S and 944S2 chain tensioners for ten years after the aftermarket tech guys started recommending 60K miles, finally making a recommendation in 2006 or so.

[Makis]

I am also hearing an expensive noise on my S2. I am suspecting rod bearing too. I open up the valve cover and everything looks good to me. All the valves are tight. I try removing the injectors wires one by one to see if the noise goes away but the noise is persistent. My question is if I listen from under the car will the rod bearing noise easier to identify for sure? My car has about 178K miles with no previous rod bearings replaced so hope is not to late to save it.

[John_AZ]

Not to beat a "dead (rod bearing) horse"..
Skip at Paragon Products, suggests anything over 100K

Paragon Products - Tech Session - Porsche Tech and Information

John

[chrisgreber]

thanks guys, i'll have to listen more closely, but i think its coming from the top end. its kinda hard seeings how i can only hear it when i'm driving

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by Makis

I am also hearing an expensive noise on my S2. I am suspecting rod bearing too. I open up the valve cover and everything looks good to me. All the valves are tight. I try removing the injectors wires one by one to see if the noise goes away but the noise is persistent. My question is if I listen from under the car will the rod bearing noise easier to identify for sure? My car has about 178K miles with no previous rod bearings replaced so hope is not to late to save it.

Makis,

This link has a few suggestions. Chatter, knocking pinging...
Read post 10. Instead of removing the injector wires, pull the spark plug.

Knocking from cam tower - Rennlist Discussion Forums

GL
John

[chrisgreber]

i did some investigating, and its coming from my vavle cover. lifters? any way to fix this besides just replacing?

[redranger]

I don't know if this will apply to the 944, but I recently had some very loud ticking on my 968. Initially thought it was the lifters, turns out it was a cracked oil pick up tube in the pan. This prevented oil from flowing to the top top and created the ticking noise. Luckily we caught it in time. The tube is a relatively thin piece of metal, wouldn't surprise me if a lot of these cars started showing this issue.

here's two pics of what it looked like...nasty. if anyone needs a mechanic in NJ to take a look, pm me, I have a good one.

[doabarrelroll]

I seriously doubt it is the lifters, but, if you want to replace them and see if the noise goes away go for it.

Mine had this exact same problem and turns out it was worn rod bearings. If you get under the car, listen to the oil pan area. If the car has 100K+ miles on it and there is no documentation re:rod bearings, I would change them immediately. Spun rod bearing=

[chrisgreber]

Originally Posted by doabarrelroll

I seriously doubt it is the lifters, but, if you want to replace them and see if the noise goes away go for it.

Mine had this exact same problem and turns out it was worn rod bearings. If you get under the car, listen to the oil pan area. If the car has 100K+ miles on it and there is no documentation re:rod bearings, I would change them immediately. Spun rod bearing=

i did listen under the car, didn't hear anything.

[John_AZ]

chris,

Get a can of SeaFoam (Walmart ~$9) , oil and Mahle oil filter.

Put in engine. Follow the can instructions.

Drain oil and change oil filter. Refill oil.

Next, very abreviated....

If the chatter from the lifters is still there, get a cam housing gasket, pull the cam housing off and check the lifters for "softness" by pressing in the center "button". If you can press the button easy, the lifter is "soft". The inner lifter piston is not "pumped up". You can compare this lifter to the others. A soft lifter will chatter. Rock hard is good. Inner piston is full of oil and pumped up.

Purchase a couple good "used" lifters. Cheaper than the new INA and may last longer.

Install.

Search for the complete cam housing remove and replacement procedure.

GL
John

[John_AZ]

EDIT:

Chris, what brand and weight of oil are you using?

John

[Pete R]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

EDIT:

Chris, what brand and weight of oil are you using?

John

oh, boy

[Makis]

I got under my car and I am almost certain now it must be a rod bearing. The sound is a clicking noise sounding a bit higher pitch then can be heard from above. Problem is would I get away replacing the bearings or is it complete engine rebuild. I think I can just attempt to do it myself the bearings but not sure I am able to remove the engine if things are worse. What would you suggest. My oil pressure is good so I don't think the bearing starved of oil but is most likely the high mileage that is done it.