Engine Noise

[Florida 928]

Hello Everyone! I have a 1985 928 and I have a noise coming from under the hood on the drivers side. To try to explain the sound, it is pretty loud "growl". One person said it was the power steering pump which is near where the sound is coming from. Imagine the sound of a gearbox with no lubrication in it and a metal on metal growl.
I took the PS reservoir cap off and there is no fluid movement. Steering is not easy to turn but the pump makes no straining noise when I go side to side and bottom it our on the far sides. Does it make sense that the pump is not pumping anything at all? thanks! rex

[924CarreraGTP]

Is the belt tight enough?

[Danglerb]

I'm guessing PS or alternator, listen carefully using a piece of rubber hose with one end close to your ear and the other not stuck in one of the belts and see if you can ID the source.

[Florida 928]

Belts are tight. It is strange because normally with a PS unit, the sound of the pump will change as you turn the wheel. This one has nothing. What is scaring me is that the PS is failing or has failed but the Torque Tube is making noise as well. I dont have a rack to get it up and check. On an Auto Tranny, is the torque tube still "active" when in park? Will listen more closely with tube today when I get off work. thanks for your help!

[MPDano]

Yup, TT spins as the motor spins. Sounds like your PS Pump is toast, normally when you rack far to the right or left it will make that typical squeal noise. Just replace and move on. Also sounds like your TT and TC Bearings are also on their way out as well.

[MarkRobinson]

remove both belts & start the car: if the sound is gone then the problem part is not spinning at the moment.

[Florida 928]

with the fact that it apparently isnt working at all, I am tempted to take a knife and cut the belt.... Frustration speaking there haha..

[Pete R]

Originally Posted by MarkRobinson

remove both belts & start the car: if the sound is gone then the problem part is not spinning at the moment.

+1.. do one belt at a time starting in between until to help narrow it down

[Florida 928]

crapola... removed the belt, prayed, started the car. Apparently I didnt pray hard enough.. Not the PS pump... off to a rack to get it all the way up and listen...

[riber.bentsen]

Mine had the same kind of noise at one point - turned out to be the useless airpump..

[Florida 928]

Yep, air pump off belt too... Sounds like it is coming from Timing belt area. So, will start process of removing (need to replace anyway) and change all the bearings and see what happens....

[Fabio421]

Timing belt area could be water pump or oil pump. More likely the water pump I would think. Theres a great 928 wrench in Riverview FL with very reasonable prices. PM me if you want his contact info. People bring him their cars from all over FL. Even as far away as Miami.