AdamA996

Hello - I'm new to 996 ownership (first P Car purchased two weeks ago, '99 996 cab Carrera) and I have since driven it down from Oregon to California and have noticed a couple of noises that I don't believe are regular or either I'm not driving it correctly. The first is a high whining sort of sound as if something is struggling to turn (maybe serpentine belt, tension pulley, etc.) and happens when releasing clutch in first gear and beginning to drive. I have also researched that it may be a hydraulic pump, power steering, alternator, or water pump issue. The water pump was replaced in 2016 and the car hasn't been driven too much between then and now, just under 60k on the engine. The IMS (LN) and clutch were replaced at the same time as well. (Audio One and Two File)

The second is a slight rattle sound that I have yet to find where it is coming from. (Audio One File)

Any help is appreciated. I am planning to take the airbox out to check the belt and pulleys, but wanted to get some help before that and before taking it in to the shop.

Thanks!

work_truck

does your engine bay look like this?

AdamA996

Nope. Everything is stock (except for replaced water pump, IMS and clutch).

DBJoe996

Check power steering fluid level. Good idea to remove the airbox and check all the pulleys, alternator, AC pump and so on. A long screw driver can work like a mechanics stethoscope.

Dr_Strangelove

Well the belt is an easy one because you can do one thing to diagnose two: Take the belt off and feel all of your pulleys and bearings to see if they have any play, turn freely, all that good stuff. If they do, then turn the car on and see if it's the engine independent of the belt.

There's a chance, since you said there's a correlation between use of the clutch and the noise, it could be a throwout bearing squealing.

I'd recommend you start to eliminate common things like these that make squealing noises so that you can begin to isolate your issue. Good luck!

Imo000

Is your wife in the car?

AdamA996

Fluid level is good. Thanks for the reply. Working on the next steps.

AdamA996

Thanks for the reply! Airbox is out and I'm checking the pulleys etc.

Elumere

If it’s only after cold start up, it might be the secondary air pump (mine’s been whining for years). Usually shuts off after a minute or so.

Throwout bearing has a distinct noise, one that can be figured out by simply pushing the clutch in, then release.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Oh, and enjoy the drive, OR to CA is one of the better drives (granted you avoid the 5).

De Jeeper

Winner, winner chicken diner.

markschuler

Another high pitched whine that is misdiagnosed is an a poorly grounded after market stereo. I was convinced that it was something in my transmission until this simple sentence allayed my fears.

Best of luck.

AdamA996

Thanks for the note - she's got her original stereo so that's unfortunately not the issue, but good to know for the future. I'm taking it in today for some other inspection work so will post what I find out.

user 8298308

Did the shop who did the PPI hear this at all?

AdamA996

Unfortunately, where the car was located, I couldn't get proper PPI before purchase (the risk I worked into the purchase price). I knew the seller, and spoke to the previous owner before him, so I took a chance. Lucky I did because I took it in for an oil change and general inspection yesterday and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. Other than some old parts that need replacing (fluids, tires, intake plenums, suggested other minor plastic/rubber parts), the shop said the car was in great condition. The car runs great so leads me to believe it's just the natural age of the car as a whole and my "getting used to a different clutch" driving style as it happened less when the mechanics drove it out the garage. It may also be the collective parts that need replacing but have yet to affect the performance of the car.

AdamA996

Thanks to everyone who chimed in regarding this noise. It may be more of a natural engine noise that I'm not used to, but will continue to keep an eye on it. In case someone else is having similar issues and need more examples to the audio files I posted, I dug and found someone else with a similar 'issue' with a video found here: