Uh oh...

[Bavaria986]

Ok, I stalled the car today and when I restarted it, there was a really sick-sounding rattle from the engine and the revs were up and down erratically. I left the car running for a bit, the revs settled down as did the rattle after a few seconds, but it's still there. It's a light metalllic noise, like something is loose in the engine bay.

I maybe shouldn't have, but I took the car out for a test and the rattle is not audible under normal driving, just at idle.

Any ideas?

It's another thing to add to my recent problems list - I have the screech on startup, faulty ignition (you have to turn the key back a notch slightly for the electrics to work) and knocking / creaking from the front end at low speeds.

Thank god I took out a new warranty recently! :rolleyes:

[Jake Raby]

Do not crank this engine up again until it has had a diagnostic done by someone familiar with the modes of failure this engine has.

If this has been caught soon enough the engine can still be salvaged.

Contact the warranty company NOW and see what they say.. I see people screwed by these companies ALL THE TIME because some stupid little procedure wasn't done in the correct order.

One second is all that separates the engine from being "repairable" or not, don't even fire it up to put it on a tow truck, they have failed while loading them on roll backs before!!

[Bavaria986]

Thanks Jake, sound advice. I've booked the car in to a specialist tomorrow, I'll let you know how I get on.

[rsfeller]

Thanks Jake, sound advice. I've booked the car in to a specialist tomorrow, I'll let you know how I get on.

I don't see any end of work stuff here. Such a rattle from a bad idle can be many things not related to the internals of the engine.

To answer your other questions...

1. bendex sticking on starter. common on vw and 986/987 alike and can be ignored if needed.

2. bad ignition switch covered on this site 1001 times.

3. common failure of front end bushings

[Jake Raby]

When I hear any complaint of a rattle in the engine I immediately recommend having the IMS bearing checked for issues.. Thats because if caught early enough it can be repaired... Sometimes 1 mile of driving can make the difference in salvaging the engine or not.

Lots of things can rattle including water pumps, pressure plates, A/C compressors and the list goes on.. None of those rattles are more critical than that of the IMS bearing. Thats why ANY rattle should be taken seriously and looked at immediately!

[Bavaria986]

Finally got my 986 back after 3 days in my local German marque 'specialist', lots needing done as I suspected:

Rattly noise from engine was loose and missing exhaust clamps

Starter motor bendix full of gunk and sticking

Complete ignition switch / barrel assembly replaced

Passenger front side lower track control arm replaced

Major service carried out

Other minor bits n pieces

The bill.. £1900.00

Warranty company would not cover anything as 'faults must have been there before policy was started'... so are sacked, I'll just put the money I was paying them aside every month instead.

Now, here's to many months ahead of trouble-free Boxster fun! :unsure:

[rsfeller]

Finally got my 986 back after 3 days in my local German marque 'specialist', lots needing done as I suspected:

Rattly noise from engine was loose and missing exhaust clamps

Starter motor bendix full of gunk and sticking

Complete ignition switch / barrel assembly replaced

Passenger front side lower track control arm replaced

Major service carried out

Other minor bits n pieces

The bill.. £1900.00

Warranty company would not cover anything as 'faults must have been there before policy was started'... so are sacked, I'll just put the money I was paying them aside every month instead.

Now, here's to many months ahead of trouble-free Boxster fun! :unsure:

looks like you got off paying a reasonable price.

was your starting bendix sticking and creating a "whirl" after starting? mine has been doing that for years and debated if it's something that required a new starter or a simple clean and/or fix.

[Loren]

Umm... 1900 GBP = 3125 USD.

Sounds expensive to me.

[rsfeller]

Umm... 1900 GBP = 3125 USD.

Sounds expensive to me.

good point. it though UK was a few percentage higher. dollar must be in bigger trouble then I thought!

[Bavaria986]

Oops, forgot to mention new brake discs and pads all round.. still a big hit to the wallet in one go though.

Rsfeller, the starter was sticking intermittently on startup, producing that embarrassing 'screech' that many have reported before. The starter motor was removed, stripped down and cleaned. The problem will probably return in the future as the shaft / bearings get dirty over time which causes the sticking.

[itzbob46]

Thanks for the note on the warranty. I bought one too (fear of catastrophic engine failure) but fear that it's won't be worth much if I ever need to use it.

Do they expect you to have the car totally rebuilt before buying a warranty??????