Between 1500 and about 2000 rpm, on light throttle, I'm getting a slight sound from the engine. It's like a ticking or metallic rattle (almost knock like but a bit more frequent). If I'm heavy on the throttle, the intake resonance takes over. It seems that it is more noticeable in cold weather but doesn't seem to go away after 10-20 minutes of driving.

One obvious candidate is bad gas. The sound is most prevalent on light throttle, low rpm, incline: classic load condition to generate knocking. I will check to see if it is there on the next tank. Based on my searches other candidates are the heat shield or something in the oil system or a valve or a bearing... :dunno:

My car is a June 06 build.

Could be quite a few things - bad gas, if you think it really sounds like mild detonation, but I doubt it - the computer should compensate for it... might be the bearings going out on an idler pully - had it happen twice on my 996 turbo - sounded like very light pinging. If it gets louder, take it into the dealer and let them listen to it... if you have to take a tech (not the service writer) for a ride so he can here it, then insist on doing so.

brad

Equ,
This is probably not the noise you're hearing, but a recent discussion with my dealer about a rpm-linked "ticking" at idle speeds identified the fuel injectors as the source of the noise. It's not noticeable except when stationary.

Chris

I'm pretty sure it's not detonation or valves. Knocking would be much more noticeable. I don't think it's all that important either.

You really have to strain to hear it. It sounds like some metal bit (cover of some sort?) is vibrating a touch at an rpm range. I'm guessing sth like a heat shield rattle. Will book a dealer appointment at some point though I'm almost sure they will not "reproduce" it.

I have the same noise. It doesn't sound like valves to me. I am going to ignore it. I'll watch this thread to see if you learn it is something more sinister.

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Life is not a rehearsal

Went on test drive with tech. Demonstrated noise - light throttle on 3rd gear at 25mph. He ordered new exhaust straps - I was told they can't be tightened. I will post follow up once they go on.

This could also be the pressure regulator valve in the oil pump too. Some people have described this noise as a chirping or ringing.

See this Technical Bulletin.

My Boxster had the oil pump problem. Sounded like a gear grinding but only during warmup. Once warmed up, went away. Made noise right at 2200 rpm.

The noise on mine is not a screeching, comes on below 2000rpm, and does not go away with warm up. I'm guessing it's not the oil pump - I'll post an update after the proposed fix.

Damn I wish I can her my engine again, all I here now is my TUBI going mach 1...

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The first South American modded reptile ~ 350HP - 4.4 sec 0-60 and 12.7 sec 1/4 mile. But looking for extra 100 HP!

That's the spirit, Cocodrilo! Or if you lack a Tubi, just turn up the radio!

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Life is not a rehearsal

New exhaust straps are in. Noise is reduced but still there. I'm beginning to think of it as an unimportant little rattle. It only happens 1200 - 1800 rpm under light load. I had a mechanic/enthusiast friend who's has a lot of experience (993tt, 996tt, 356, ferraris) drive the car and he thought I should stop worrying.

BTW, he loved the handling beyond his expectations.

I have exactly the same noise.
It is very subtle but I will get it checked by the dealer in a couple of weeks.
It does not prevent me to LOVE this car.

German

What gear are you folks in when this sound appears?

Is this a common problem for a porsche?
I think for mine I hear it from 1200 to 1600rpm when I'm on fifth or six gear.
I remember I heard very similar noise when I test drove used 996 and 997S

I had this exact same problem but it seems to have gone away and I put it down to bad petrol (although it was Shell, I got it from a different station to my usual).

If it starts again, I'll be taking it to the dealership.