Clunking type sound from the Engine

[Noor]

So guys,

My CEL light on my 00 C4 is back on as of last tuesday (Solid). This morning after not driving my car for 2 days, when I started the car there was the loud clunking sound from the Engine. It reved up as the Engine Reved up. Idle was also not stable. After running the engine for about 2-3 min the sound has subsided more of less, but idle is still somewhat unstable.

This is a new engine with 13K miles on it.

Sounded like valve lifters vario-cam type of issues. It is in warranty so I will take in on Monday. But is my Engine totally shot?

Or could it be a bad spark plug or something like that?

Also if the sound goes away, is it safe to drive to dealer like this or should I have it towed.

Thanks for help.

Noor.

[Noor]

Update: So I started my car again in the evening and it started and ran flawlessly. No more sounds of anykind. I took for a brief run and no sounds.

Again tired this morning and no issues at all, nice smooth, no funky sounds and no erratic idle.

Check engine light however stays on. Will get that checked on Monday.

So I am really not sure what the heck happened, but it certainly was strange.

May be the oil didn't build pressure in time to make it to the valve lifters. No sure.

My worry is, if somehow I have managed to damage the engine, shorten the life in any form or way.

I do have warranty left for one more year, so my guess is if something is going to go majorly wrong, it will happen next 13 months.

Any comments?

Thanks.

Edited December 18, 2004 by Noor

[Noor]

Update: Dec 21st.

Picked up my car today from Carlson Porsche. They couldn't duplicate the problem or sound and neither could I. No faults were stored. Check Engine light was MAF sensor which they replaced under warranty. Also the coolant expansion tank was leaking which I had always suspected and they replaced that under warranty as well.

Only time will tell if that sound caused any damage to the engine. So for now I will not loose sleep over. Enjoy my car as it is simply a blast.

Also got the Oil/Filter replaced.

Dealing with service dept at Carlson Porsche (Redwood city) has been my finest experience in dealing with Automotive repair industry.

They are simply the best.

Noor.

[Mitty]

Any more noises?

I just started getting this clunk - clunk - clunk sound from the engine, next to the right rear wheel (not exhaust). I was about 100 miles from home on the coast.

Cold idle was a bit rough. Almost seems as if one cylinder is missing. No CEL.

I get home without any problems. The engine sounds smooth, however there is a burnt rubber smell coming from the engine. Not a clutch smell, I know what that smells like.

I reach in and touch the belt and it is not warm. The conditions were wet.

56600 miles on the engine. 6 months ago I had a coil and oil bellows replaced. Oil lever looks good.

Ideas?

Thanks,

Darren

Edited January 2, 2005 by Mitty

[Noor]

Hi,

Things have been fine since then. No Clunking or burnt smell noises. I have driven about 500 miles since then and no issues so far. Smooth as a butter.

Good Luck.

Noor.