Tinny rattling sound at lower rpms

[dmairspotter]

I have a tinny, rattly sound in my '03S at low and medium rpm. It sounds to me like a loose heat shield or exhaust baffle, but I don't know if Boxsters have such. Only hear it when the engine is running, but the car does not have to be moving.

The other, less fun interpretation would be cam chain tensioners. I heard this today while fooling around with my Durametric looking at camshaft variation. The cam deviations were low (<2 deg) and rock steady at several different rpms.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

[Zeke]

I'm not sure, but since no one has ventured, I'll say read up on water pumps. If that isn't it, when you find it, let us know.

[Alphaboy1]

I can hear this when car is sitting idle on my 2002 Boxster S. It is the exhaust for sure on mine. Not loud but could hear it if I am standing behind the vehicle. Don't think it is a big deal, Sound was always there.

[newlife]

Originally Posted by Alphaboy1

I can hear this when car is sitting idle on my 2002 Boxster S. It is the exhaust for sure on mine. Not loud but could hear it if I am standing behind the vehicle. Don't think it is a big deal, Sound was always there.

Yeah, same here. I have a little rattle in mine to. Definitely coming from the exhaust. I only hear it after a long drive and when I stand behind the vehicle.

Rod

[derfo]

Same here as well, I have a 02 S, there was a slight noise when I first got the car in May, it has got worse. I am convinced it is the exhaust, loose baffle or something. Its not troubled me that much, but since I have been giving the car some stick it has got louder or looser, it is a very tinny sound. Its not good though going down the road with a tinny rattle coming from a Porsche, have to get it on the ramps and see if its something I can get at.

[Quad]

when I switched to headers on my 99 Boxster. I left off the sound pad. I later found a then unused pad mount bracket sometimes contacts the exhaust pipe on the drivers side causing it to sing loudly. Get the car raised a bit and remove the sound pad. Check the close proximity of a bracket to the exhause system. Just form it out of the way. Easy fix.

[derfo]

I decided to have a look under the car to see if I could see were the rattle was coming from. Had a quick look and noticed a bolt missing out of the U bend to Cat clamp, so I jacked that corner of the car up. The clamp was not loose at all but I put a new bolt in anyway. While it was on the jack I started to have a feel around to see if anything was loose, I got hold of the Oxygen sensor and guess what, it was very loose, in fact four full turns loose. With that done I was confident I had found the tin rattle, check the other side I thought, would you believe it, the other Oxygen sensor was very loose as well, about the same in fact. I was eager to get on my way home from my workshop to see what the ride was like now. Solid as a rock no tin rattles anymore. Check yours everyone, it just may be whats causing your rattle.
Just as a side point my car threw two CEL lights, about a month apart, didn't check what they were because I haven't got the tester yet, so I just disconnected the battery to get rid of them because the cat is running fine. Could the Oxygen Sensors being so loose have caused the CEL light ? I would appreciate a comment on this.

[rossowty]

I have the same thing happening in my 2003 boxster. I was wondering if anyone ever figured out what this was??? Thanks! ;-)

[Fud]

I had this problem several years ago with my 2000. It sounded like a tin cover, tinny sound. I looked all under the car and found nothing. I finally took it to the dealer. They told me it was the alternator. I didn't have them fix it because I didn't think it was that. I did order a new alternator and changed it out. They were correct. It's been several years and 20k miles and no more tinny sounds.
Fud