Start up noise: band saw/electric blower

[Malakas]

renntechers,

Has anyone ever heard something like this -

For the last 2 days, on cold start, I hear a sound coming from the right of the engine that sounds like an electric band saw or blower.... It's very metallic and sounds like it revs up and then it's gone in 10-20 seconds. Not terribly loud, but noticable. It starts right after the car catches...

Sort of strange... Any ideas?

Edited August 6, 2008 by Malakas

[Loren]

The air pump starts when you start the car cold.

You might unplug it (briefly) and see if it is the cause of the noise.

[Malakas]

Is that fairly easy to do?

I wonder why all of a sudden I hear it...

Thanks for the reply BTW

[Loren]

Yes, there is a plug on the air pump (left side of the engine).

Go to a dealer and stand next to a similar Carrera and see if it sounds the same. My sounds like a small Hoover vacuum.

[Cesarfl]

I am now getting a very loud sound , like heavy rattling when I start the car cold, I dont know if is a broken muffler or are the timing chain rattling like crazy on start up.

[khooper]

I am now getting a very loud sound , like heavy rattling when I start the car cold, I dont know if is a broken muffler or are the timing chain rattling like crazy on start up.

I had that problem and the cause for me was the cam belt tensioner. The noise started happening when the weather turned cold like 35°F or less and the car sat for more than around 3 hrs after being warmed up. The noise sounded hellatious like a bad rod or something.

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[Malakas]

All threads need pix: :D

Well, I think I mis-spoke a little....

when I meant cold start... I just meant the first start up in the morning. Not literally cold ambient temperature - I wish, Houston is about 85F at 7am.

This morning I paid more attention to the sound - it is very faint... but VERY high pitched - just like your neighbor 3 doors down was using an electric blower. With the windows up its much less noticeable. It lasts for about 30 seconds, then it fades, comes back a little, and then fades away.

Loren, do you still think this could be the air pump?

I'm planning to AX next month, and then DE in October... since the car is only 3 months new to me, I want to make sure there are no warning signs in the motor before i push it a little.

THANKS>

[JeTexas]

If might be bearings on one of your accessories going bad ...

[Loren]

If it goes away within 2 minutes it is very likely the air pump.

[Malakas]

Fair enough - I will un-plug and check.

THANKS as usual!!

[Benjamin Choi]

Fair enough - I will un-plug and check.

THANKS as usual!!

bro you're new to the car and you're listening for every single odd (new to you) noise. just chill, have a beer, lean back and enjoy the drive before you do this.

plus, we all know what your car looks like. it's a bone stock c4s in a weird color. lol

seriously, just drive the thing and enjoy life instead of trying to find faults in the car and get diagnosis online where no one can see the car in person.

[Orient Express]

The sound that you are describing is the secondary air pump. This is the same pump used on audis and VWs (and the Bugatti Veyron, but it has 2 pumps) and it will get noisy over time, including a sort of metallic whine sound. Sometimes they will get a leaf sucked in the housing, and the leaf will make noise against the squirrel cage fan. No worry, they all make noise of one sort or another.

FYI, if unplug the fan and start the car, you may trigger a CEL that will say that the secondary air pump is not working. It will not autoclear, you must use a tester to clear it.

BTW, Orient Red is not a "weird" color, it is the signature Porsche Color. :thumbup:

[Malakas]

BTW, Orient Red is not a "weird" color, it is the signature Porsche Color. :thumbup:

Way to support the Orient Red brotherhood!! :D

Ben, I think you are right. I mean sh!t, it's a mechanical part, and if it's wearing, sooner or later, the problem will declare itself when it brakes.

But some of the fun is obsessing over the little stuff - and while, I agree, it's usually trivial - it does provide a means to interact with cool And knowledgeable people online -- and even learn a thing or two. B)